From The My Sportsbook After competing in the 1974 World Cup in Germany, Australia returns to the European nation to compete in its second prestigious competition. Ironically enough, Germany has been the site of the Socceroos' two World Cup campaigns. Australia qualified for this year's tournament after defeating Uruguay, 4-2 on penalties in the second leg of the intercontinental play-off at Sydney's Telstra Stadium. Substitute John Aloisi scored the crucial penalty kick needed to reserve Australia's ticket to Germany, while goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer denied goals from Uruguay's Dario Rodriguez and Marcelo Zalayeta. Australia's head coach Guus Hiddink, who replaced former boss Frank Farina in the summer of 2005, enters this year's competition with previous World Cup experience. Hiddink became a soccer icon in the Far East after guiding Korea Republic to the semifinals in the 2002 World Cup. Most recently, Hiddink led Eredivisie champion PSV Eindhoven to its fifth league title in seven years, 19th overall. Hiddink's World Cup squad is mostly comprised of Premiership players including, Schwarzer, Lucas Neill, Tim Cahill, Mark Viduka, Craig Moore, Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton. Australia faces Group F contender Japan June 12 in Kaiserslautern in its opening match. Achievements: -- Continental Titles Oceania Champions on three occasions (1980, 1996, 2000) |
