Australia 1 Uruguay 0
Australia edged closer to the World Cup Finals today when they beat Uruguay 1-0 in Melbourne in the first leg of their qualification play-off.
Kevin Muscat gave the Socceroos a precious lead when he converted a penalty in the 79th minute after Paul Agostino had been hauled down in the box by Paolo Montero.
Agostino, a half-time substitute, had almost opened the scoring himself only minutes earlier when he headed a Harry Kewell cross against the post.
Australia have not reached the World Cup since 1974 and had to survive many nervous moments in today’s match, particularly when Inter Milan’s Alvaro Recoba was on the ball.
But Frank Farina’s men delighted most of the 85,000 crowd by holding out for the win. The second leg will be played in Montevideo this weekend.