AUSTRALIA : HOW THEY QUALIFIED

After coming oh-so-close in the playoff round four previous times, Australia made sure the fifth time was a charm. The Socceroos were Oceania champions, having beaten the Solomon Islands, 7-0 at home and 2-1 away. In a special playoff against Uruguay, South America's fifth-ranked team, the teams swapped 1-0 home wins. It came down to a shootout in which Australia prevailed, 4-2, on Nov. 16, 2005. It was called the greatest night in Australia soccer history as 82,000 fans packed Telstra Stadium in Sydney and a record 3.4 million television viewers watched as well. Substitute John Aloisi converted the game-winning PK after goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer stopped shots by Dario Rodriguez and Marcelo Zalayeta. Marco Bresciano had drawn Australia even in this total goals series in the 34th minute. They look to have a much tougher path to future World Cups, if FIFA approves their petition to change confederations, from Oceania to the Asian Football Confederation. The AFC already has approved the move.

QUALIFYING RESULTS
5/29/04 Australia 1, New Zealand 0
5/31/04 Australia 9, Tahiti 0
6/2/04 Australia 6, Fiji 1
6/4/04 Vanuatu 0, Australia 3
6/6/04 Solomon Islands 2, Australia 2
9/3/05 Australia 7, Solomon Islands 0
9/6/05 Solomon Islands 1, Australia 2
11/12/05 Uruguay 1, Australia 0
11/16/05 Australia 1, Uruguay 0 (Australia advanced 4-2 on pks)