Hoist your vuvuzelas in the air: Australia is going to Brazil! Last night the Socceroos booked a spot to the 2014 World Cup when a perfectly struck header by Josh Kennedy slammed into the back of the goal in the 83rd minute of play, securing Australia a 1-0 win over their gallant Iraqi opponents and setting in motion one of the largest stacks on ever executed on live national television.
The momentum continously shifted between the teams on a pendulum throughout the match, with the attacking time on field edging slightly in Australia’s favour. The Socceroos had a few brief opportunities at goal, the most convincing of which was an early narrow miss from star midfielder Tim Cahill, one of the country’s most high profile players who has scored the most goals by any Australian in the World Cup.
It was surprise when Socceroos coach Holger Osieck pulled the star player off the field with less than 15 minutes of match time on the clock. The decision pleased neither the SBS commentary team or the Cahill-crazed (crayhill) home crowd, least of all Cahill himself who promptly begun sooking when his number was called in. Fortunately for Cahill/Osieck/Australia/life, Cahill’s substitute was the man who ended up nailing the winning goal and giving fair weather Australian football fans something to look forward to, come June 2014.
At the end of the day leaping man-hugs are the real winners.
Photos by Cameron Spencer for Getty Images
