Australia have just made it through to the World Cup Finals after a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory over Uruguay. This is the first time that The Soceroos will have been in the competition since 1974.Faced with a much too easy qualifying group (wins running into double figures are not uncommon) they have routinely been scuppered by their play offs against countries from other continents. This time however after a 1-1 draw on aggregate John Aloisi's penalty has sealed their qualification. Keeper Mark Schwarzer made two saves in the shoot-out "This is one of the proudest saves of my life, the crowd is going absolutely beserk!"
Ironically from the next qualifying tournament on they will no longer be playing in the Oceania section, but in the Asian qualifying group. The idea being they would have a more realistic chance of qualifying and as a consequence New Zealand would then have a better shot of going through.
But for now the Aussies are through and I can't say I'm sorry to see Uruguay not be there after this comment from midfielder Alvaro Recoba yesterday.
"We're a big country with a big past and we've got a right to play. Uruguay has a divine right to play. Uruguay is Uruguay."
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