Australia (and Skoko) are off to Germany

...Uruguay side that was on paper the favourites.

Australia trailed 1-0 after the first leg in Uruguay, but were soon on level terms on home soil with Marco Bresciano getting the equalising goal. He was only playing after recieving three pain killing injections before the game.

The game finished 1-1 and went to extra time and then penalties were the Aussie's ran out 4-2 winners in front of 82,698 people.

Josip Skoko who was included in the Aussie team for the game, came on as a substitute for the final ten minutes. He didn't take a penalty!

The result is said to be the biggest sporting achievement for Australia since Cathy Freeman's win in the Olympics in 2000.

Liverpool's Harry Kewell told The Weekend Australian: "We're not going to Germany just to be one of the lightweights. We plan to make our mark and shock a few people.

"Look at what Greece did in Portugal. Who gave them a chance? Most people thought they were only there to make up the numbers. South Korea also made a big name for themselves and how about Croatia getting to the semi-finals (of France 98).

"Every big tournament produces one team that stands up from out of nowhere and upsets the big boys. Why shouldn't that team be us?"