Just as the Socceroos’ experience of Germany 2006 began so elatedly with a John Aloisi penalty kick against Uruguay last year, so it ended with a penalty kick by Italian Francesco Totti.
World Cup
All over in the blast of a whistle
If you happened to sleep through last night’s World Cup action, we have good news and bad news.
What the world made of our performance
“What an escape for Italy and what utter, brutal heartbreak for Australia”, says The Telegraph.
Guus almost a goose, but can laugh about it now
Australia’s coach Guus Hiddink was a relieved man at the press conference following today’s epic 2-2 draw, and he had every reason to be.
Australia prevails in draining World Cup thriller
Australia’s thrilling 2-2 draw with Croatia in Stuttgart this morning to move into the second round of the World Cup finals for the first time ever is a giant achievement for the game in this country, says Nick Place.
Australia loses to Brazil but wins plaudits worldwide
What world newspapers are saying…
Australia joins soccer’s world stage
Against a committed and fractious Uruguay, it was never going to be pretty or remotely easy to end Australia’s 32-year World Cup drought. And yet…
How a Harry Kewell miskick turned the game
Every four years we prepare ourselves for heartbreak. We watch the Socceroos with hope but know that though we might get close, fate will conspire against us. And so it seemed last night when the final whistle was blown at Telstra Stadium.
Guus shows the right stuff
“Leadership.” It was the Labor Party’s failed slogan in Paul Keating’s 1996 election disaster. Great slogan, wrong leader, wrong contest. Last night, it was the magic elixir that propelled Australia to the World Cup finals.
Australia aiming to make history in Sydney
Australia will make history on Wednesday if it can defeat Uruguay by two or more goals and qualify for the elusive World Cup finals.
How Australia can beat Uruguay
The most important man in this Australian campaign for the World Cup is Guus Hiddink – one of the great football coaches.
A Uruguayan date with destiny, reloaded
At the Centenario stadium in Montevideo on Saturday evening (Sunday morning AEDT) football will be doing the talking as Australia attempts to break a 30-odd year hoodoo and qualify for World Cup 2006.
Socceroo stars unscathed ahead of Uruguay deciders
While all eyes in the UK were fixed on Manchester United’s 1-0 home win over Chelsea overnight, Australia’s gaze was occupied by the weekend form of key Socceroos.
New dawn for soccer, or same old sunset?
It comes around every four years to tease and torment. The bitter-sweet play-off for a berth in the World Cup that, as ever, has Australian soccer holding its breath. And yet again Uruguay stands in the way.
Socceroos await their final World Cup hurdle
After the weekend’s World Cup qualifying results in South America failed to determine the play-off picture, Australia’s final World Cup challenge against the fifth-placed South American team – either Colombia, Uruguay or Chile – won’t be known until Thursday.
