Outright Odds: 125/1
Group F Winners: 14/1
After a 32 year absence from the finals, Australia finally overcame their play-off hoodoo to qualify for Germany. Play off agony to Iran in 1997 and Uruguay in 2001 was vanquished last November as the Australians again faced Uruguay and beat them in a penalty shoot-out. Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was nearly taken off before the shoot-out commenced, but two stunning saves booked Australias World Cup place.
Under coach Guus Hiddink, Australia have progressed immensely. The former South Korea coach and England target took over from Frank Farina last July and even though teams such as Fiji, Vanatu and Tahiti were brushed aside with ease, Hiddink successfully completed what he called almost mission impossible.
Australia netted 32 goals in seven qualifying matches and even their two-legged final against the Solomon Islands was a farce as they ran out 7-0 winners in Sydney in the first leg. Indeed, only fifth-placed South American side Uruguay offered genuine competition, winning 1-0 in Montevideo only for Australia to win the return leg by the same scoreline and triumph on penalties.
When...
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