Australia's Socceroos have reached their first World Cup Finals for 32 years, overturning the 1-0 first-leg advantage that the Uruguayan’s had under their belt, in their World Cup qualifying 2nd leg play-off against Uruguay, played in a packed Telstra Stadium, after a nail-biting penalty shoot-out against Uruguay's 'Charruas'.

Uruguay, who made the play-off’s due to their fifth place finish in the South America (CONMEBOL) zone, led from the first tie 1-0 following a first-half goal from Dario Rodriguez in last Saturday’s first-leg match in Montevideo.

The Socceroos, who travelled back from the tie in Uruguay in a specially chartered jet which was fully equipped with massage tables and masseurs, had the home advantage for the second-leg, and the Socceroo fans were in full, and vocal support.

Parma’s Marco Bresciano scored the only goal of the game in the 35th minute to make the aggregate score 1-1, but both teams had a multitude of chances to take the scoreline further.

It was a bitty match, with both teams showing the strain of the travel and training of the past 4 days, and it was in no way a half-hearted affair, with a total of more than 50 fouls conceded throughout the match, with neither team willing to give any ground.

It seemed destined that the match would be decided on penalties, which ended up being the case after extra time went without further scoring. It was the first time that a penalty shootout victory has led directly to a place in the World Cup finals, and the home side were first to step up to take theirs, with substitute Harry Kewell sliding home a left foot shot past Uruguayan keeper Carini.

Mark Schwarzer saved the first penalty from Uruguay's Rodriguez, which put the home side in the driving seat, but with captain Mark Viduka missing his penalty, it looked very much like it was going to 'sudden death'.

Middlesbrough's Mark Schwarzer was on top-form, and having saved Zalayeta's penalty, it was down to John Aloisi to put the ball past Uruguay's Carini to seal the penalty shoot-out 4-2 to take the Socceroos through to their first World Cup finals for 32 years, and in so doing, making Guus Hiddink an Australian National hero.

Bookmark/Search this post with:

delicious | digg | google | yahoo | technorati