Celebrations are hard on their way in Australia, as the Socceroos finally booked their place in the FIFA World Cup next year in Germany with a hard fought victory over Uruguay.

After losing 1-0 in the opening leg of the qualifier in Montevideo, Australia turned the tide at Telstra Stadium in Sydney. The final score was 1-0 to Australia, giving an aggregate of 1-1 for the two legs. There was no score in extra time, leaving the hopes of two nations balanced on the cut-throat penalty shoot-out. An world-class save by Socceroo keeper Mark Schwarzer gave Australia the chance to wrap the match up with their final kick, which Tony Vidmar did with ease.

The opening half hour belonged to Uruguay, who were running over the top of Australia, and constantly pressuring their defence. The tide turned when master coach Guus Hiddink made an early substitution, bringing Harry Kewell into the match. It proved a master stroke, with Kewell playing a pivotal role in the 35th minute goal, less than a minute after coming on.

From that moment, AUstrlaia had the ascendancy and seemed certain to score on multiple occasion, but just could not find the back of the net for the decisive goal. Uruguay had their chances to win the match, most notably a Alvaro Recoba break early in the second half, and a late charge in the final minutes of extra time, but it was not to be for the weary Uruguayans, who were not as fresh as the Socceroos, and had to deal witha horror injury toll. Most would agree however, the better team won on the night.

The win helped, to some extent, in wiping memories of the 2002 qualifier, also against Uruguay, when Australia capitulated 3-0 in Montevideo in the final leg.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That's my objective appraisal of the match. Here's what I really think:

SUCK ON THAT URUGUAY. WE, THE AUSSIE NO-HOPERS, BEAT YOU. SO MUCH FOR YOUR "DIVINE RIGHT" TO BE IN THE WORLD CUP.

OZZIE! OZZIE! OZZIE!
OI! OI! OI!
OZZIE! OZZIE! OZZIE!
OI! OI! OI!
OZZIE!
OZZIE!
OZZIE! OZZIE! OZZIE!
OI! OI! OI!

This is PA, signing off.

Edit: post copied from my thread in World Events and Current Affairs

Double Edit:


Sorry subby. You got in before me. I agree though, I can't see us going too well. But you never know in these things

Well done the Aussies
3 penalty saves from Schwarzer as well wasn't it? Way to go through in style

Come on now, Czechies...

Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi!

That was by far the most entertaining match of any code of football I have ever watched and as it was on my birthday it made the win for me extra special.

Both teams gave it their all and I take my hat off to Uruguay but in the end Australia deserved the win and now its off to the World cup. As Subby and PA have pointed out no one will expect the Aussies to really do that well, which means there will be no pressure on our team and they have already proved the rest of the world wrong by beating Uruguay so we may be able to surprise some teams!

Just seen this thread, and noticed it's about a year and half old, lol. Ach well, here's my team anyway :-

GLASGOW CELTIC

I think it was 2. There was no need for Uruguay to take their last shot because they'd already lost. The second was a screamer. World class. Dives in the right direction, the ball's speeding into the top of the net, Schwarzer sticks out a hand at the last minute, goal deflected.

Precious!

World Cup Trivia:

The net worth of Australia's world cup squad is approximately 50 million dollars.

The net worth of Uruguay's world cup squad is approximately 500 million dollars.

And according to the Uruguayans it was their divine right to win!

Roy Keane leaves Manchester United. Disaster.

3 2 get in there thats wigans bubble burst all hail the great henry

who scored, i missed the game

henry 2 van persie 1

come on you villans! stop playing so sh*t!
sunderland 1 villa 3
phillips has aways been and will always still be, pure class.

yes, we needed that win. come on villa

what you think of oleary dark fusion good or bad ?

I have started up a football forum and it has everything. I need you guys to join because you know the sport I have more mates and forum friends that will.


http://www.hosted-forum.com/index.php?boardid=footballforum&

PS. The banner will be up later tonight or tomorrow.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

I used to think Oleary was good but not any more.

Ex-Manchester United star George Best is spending his final hours in hospital after doctors said his deteriorating condition was irreversible.

R.I.P George Best

i'm not a united fan and I havn't lived long enough to see him play, but I know he was a great player of the game
R.I.P


(o'leary CAN be good, but hes not, and i'm a villa fan! what am I saying?. he is a clown though...)

R.I.P

no disrespect to G.Best but I thought he would have kicked the bucket ages ago

RIP george best


dundee united rule!

hey guys , not been around much, since we humped the scum 2 games in a row well ive been on cloud nine and i managed to get to ma first back to back old firm games.


was at the game on saturday against dunfemline and we were mince , only good thing waas the excellent 1 minute celebration clap in respect for george best.

what a player he was


anyway ha ha to rangers cos they really are pish .


ECK MUST STAY




btw , dundee untd do not rule lol

Alan Shearer's elbow- the deadliest weapon known to man.

thought uz might enjoy trhis.

heres the banenr we took to the rangers match a couple of weeks ago.

Who's big Eck? Alex Mcleish?

yeah

thats the nickname the scottish media have for him.


its a scottish nickname for alec. eck

and rangers tag is supposodlly "simply the best"


they run out on the pitch to that tina turner song.

Rangers aren't simply the best at the moment.

Shut tit..!

which part didnt you agree with dunderdome?

Good win for Man U today.

Scholes with his first this season and a perfect end to such a sad day.

AAAAAAAAARGH!!! Villa should have beaten Newcastle instead of drawing. Why did Gareth Barry have to miss that darn penalty,I wouldn't be so miffed if he'd got the shot on target.

Going to see Charlton versus Man City today, with Nick Fury. I hope Charlton end their losing streak.

Lol, 5-2...

Who's way?

Man City.
Charlton's defence is shocking.

Wonder if any other club would be foolish enough to take on Gazza as their manager now?

Could have been the beginning and end of his managerial career. Idiot

guys always been a grade a wankbag


from the days of beating his wife , to simulating playing a flute to celtic fans at an old firm match.


idiot

Bye, bye Man Ure. Not even qualifying for the UEFA Cup either.

Congratulations too to Rangers...........................

........................ on destroying their 133 years history record of 7 games without a win and making it a splendid '10 in a row'.

Here, Here, well done Rangers. You have given McCleish a stay of execution, perhaps?

Man U were rubbish and thats putting it kindly.

Man Utd were more than rubbish... however we have the World Cup draw tomorrow.

Wow 350 million saw the final draw today. Well my country got in group E with Italy, Ghana, and Czech Republic

Australia has been grouped with Brazil, Croatia and Japan which gives us a shot at coming second with Brazil probably winning every match easily. Then again anything could happen................

Anything could happen, but Brazil will win every match lol.

Out of Australia, Japan and Croatia, who is ranked higher?

Don't underestimate Croatia, they're friggin' good!


Group B
England
Paraguay
Trinidad and Tobago
Sweden

Now THAT'S gonna be interestink!

Very.
Listening to the pundits today on TV, they are already discussing playing Brazil in the semis. A bit premature in my opinion.

And here in Sweden people are talking about how England hasn't beaten Sweden in Idon'tknowhowmanyyears, but as Sven-Göran said, it could happen now, right? Also Paraguay, as South Americans, are sorta "good by default", so they're not to be underestimated. Trinidad & Tobago SHOULD be a pushover, but ya never know. I'd like to ask some Swedish journalists if they remember the Sweden vs Costa Rica game in the 1990 World Cup...

Not in mine lol.

Oh!! Mr Ed you do make me laugh, with your little quips. Never mind, pull yourself down off that cloud and get back into the real world (Cup)