WOOOO FRICKIN HOOOOO Australia just qualified for the 2007 World Cup after defeating Uruagay 1 nil at home, making it 1 all overall and then winning the penalty shoot out 32 years it has taken us to get back to the world cup, and the last few campaigns have ended in terrible heartbreak well done Socceroos
from soccernet.com Australia make World Cup after dramatic shootout win Reuters SYDNEY, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Australia beat Uruguay in a dramatic penalty shoot-out on Wednesday to qualify for next year's World Cup in Germany, their first finals appearance since 1974. Australia won the shoot-out 4-2 with John Aloisi scoring the decisive goal from the spot after the teams finished the two legs tied at 1-1 on aggregate. Uruguay, World Cup champions in 1930 and 1950, won Saturday's first leg in Montevideo 1-0 but the Australians reversed the score in Sydney with a first half goal from Marco Bresciano. Harry Kewell, Lucas Neill, Tony Vidmar also scored in the shoot-out for Australia while captain Mark Viduka missed. Gustavo Varela and Fabian Estoyanoff scored for Uruguay but Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer saved shots from Dario Rodriguez and Marcelo Zalayeta.
Yes!! Can't believe it!! Amazing!!! What was all that about Uruguay's 'right' to be in the World Cup??
Reuters Australia secured their place at next year's World Cup after Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer performed heroics in a penalty shoot-out against Uruguay in Sydney. Trailing 1-0 from the first leg at the weekend in Montevideo, Australia levelled the tie on aggregate through Marco Bresciano's first-half strike in a fiery match dominated by the hosts at Telstra Stadium. After a wait of 32 years since their only appearance at football's biggest tournament, Australia held on in front of 82,698 fans and took the game to penalties. Schwarzer saved twice, from Fabian Estoyonoff and Dario Rodriguez, before John Aloisi tucked away Australia's fifth spot-kick to secure a famous win. Socceroos coach Guus Hiddink, who is also in charge of Dutch side PSV Eindhoven, now has the opportunity to enhance his World Cup pedigree after taking joint hosts South Korea to the semi-finals in 2002. In a repeat of the play-off four years ago, which Uruguay won comfortably, the enterprise of Merseyside duo Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell gave Australia the upper hand. Without injured Villarreal striker Diego Forlan, Uruguay relied on Alvaro Recoba to lead their counter-attacks, with the hosts intent on taking the game to their opponents. Despite an early header from Diego Lugano flashing wide, it was Australia who dictated the pace of the game as they looked for the goal to level the tie. Jason Culina tried his luck from long range in the 19th minute and forced a save from Fabian Carini, while Blackburn winger Brett Emerton had an effort fly over the bar. But Hiddink's side were not made to wait long for the opener with Bresciano forcing the ball home 10 minutes from the interval. Cahill initiated the goal with a sharp turn before heading towards the penalty area and slipping the ball to Mark Viduka. Middlesbrough striker Viduka - who later missed a penalty in the shoot-out - instinctively flicked towards Kewell who missed his shot before the ball fell invitingly for Bresciano to lash into the top corner past Carini. The goal vindicated Hiddink's decision to bring on Kewell for Tony Popovic, with the Crystal Palace centre-back already cautioned for elbowing Recoba. Recoba, the Inter Milan forward, had tricked Tony Vidmar and shot wide earlier in the first half, but his efforts tended to be limited by to set-pieces and moments of skill in wide areas. Vidmar struggled to contain Recoba, nicknamed ``El Chino``, and was booked for a foul, although nothing came of the free-kick. Carlos Diogo was also cautioned, for a foul on Kewell just before the break, while Culina was yellow carded after the interval after tugging on Mario Regueiro's shirt. Both teams continued to attack as they looked to find the winning goal. Bresciano twice had shots which were off target, and Richard Morales should have done better when Recoba's corner found him free in front of goal. Kewell saw plenty of the ball on the left flank, the Liverpool winger showing the form absent in his last year at Anfield. With Kewell and Cahill busy in midfield, Australia looked likely to nick the goal they needed, Cahill going wide with a diving header with 13 minutes remaining. Kewell was behind the Uruguay defence three minutes later but was on his unfavoured right foot, forcing Carini into a comfortable save. The hosts were helped by uncompromising defender Paolo Montero getting taken off with an injury, while Marcelo Zalayeta - who played with Montero at Juventus - was brought on for Recoba. Zalayeta caused problems in extra-time with Gustavo Varela, Guillermo Rodriguez and Morales off target with efforts as time ran out.
Can't say I'm happy about this, but congratulations. I was hoping Uruguay would make it, but I'm happy that Hiddink is going to the World Cup. I have great respect for him. Anyway, congrats guys!
Lets just say.....it was our devine right to be there. I hope we get in the same group as England. I love nothing more then seeing Aussies smash the Poms.
With the performance Rooney put against Argentina, Australia would really have zero chance of beating England. Then again, England have drawn to Wales and lost to Northern Ireland..
Was an amazing game and Kewell really was the difference when subbed in the 29th minute. Was one of the best sporting moments I have ever seen.
The opposite is what Australia was saying about Cricket...but England got the Ashes back this year. Glad to hear Australia made it...well done.....I hope they are in the USAs' group. DD
I hope the United States plays the Germans sometime in the World Cup so we can get our revenge for 2002. That being said, is it possible for two CONCACAF teams to be drawn in the same group?
FIFA haven't said how they're doing the draw, so it might be possible. Last time it was a combination of rankings and geography, so if they do the same as '02 it shouldn't be possible. It also might not be possible because the US might be a seeded team - so who knows.
Congrats to the Roo's. I guess third time's the charm. I doubt that they would have 2 CONCACAF teams in the same group. 2 UEFA teams yes, which is par for the course but I think that's it. Germany and England are counting way too much on being on "home turf" for me to think that they are WC semifinal material. England is talented upfront, but their defense and goalkeeper are nowhere near top notch. I hate to count Germany out, but they are nowhere near being world beaters. I have the feeling that they will definetly be playing the physical, ball control, Italian style calcio. And as much as I love the Stars and Stripes, they haven't shown that they can play tough. They will have to be tougher and much more physical than they have ever played to get to the second round. And whoever plays goal has to guard the crosses better, I think that is the prime weakness of all our goalkeepers. Brasil is going to win anyway.
Since this Aussie-related thread is handy, I'll stick a question in here. I was watching the World Series of Poker, and an Australian player would say, "Pass the Sugar" everytime he made a good play. Can someone explain what that means.
