Socceroos Road to World Cup Germany 2006: June 2006

First 2 quarter finals see Italy and Germany through

Germany 2006 Socceroo hero line-up

I guess FIFA is not serious on stamping out 'simulation'

From smh.com.au, pictures tell the story. Greg Louganis, Despatie eat your heart out on how to score perfect nines off the 10 m platform at the Olympics.

I guess FIFA is not serious on stamping out 'simulation'

From smh.com.au, pictures tell the story. Greg Louganis, Despatie eat your heart out on how to score perfect nines off the 10 m platform at the Olympics. Even former World cup winners such as Pierre Littbarski cringe at the Italian tactics.

Socceroos bow out of World Cup, Italians through

And so it was, Australia are out of the World Cup to a dubious last minute penalty. Basically, an act of simulation by Grasso, referee fell for the con job and awarded the penalty. Overall though, the Italian team had the better clear cut chances to win the match, Socceroos failed to make their numerical advantage count, after Matarazzi was sent off for a straight red card. They paid for it with their lack of adventure to go for the winning goal.

But there is plenty of sympathetic support for the Socceroos.

Independent British press labels the penalty 'questionable' and 'dubious'.

But the Socceroos heads are held high, exceeding their expectations to score a goal and earn a point from these World Cup finals. Good on ya. Go Go Go Socceroos.

Korea, Hiddink factor, underestimation, penalty shootout

Tim Cahill has warned Italy to not underestimate the Socceroos. I think the match might be headed to penalties, with the mean defence of Italy hard to break down formthe Italians, and the Socceroos never say die attitude.

Socceroos team news

Hiddink has indicated Schwarzer to be the goalkeeper, while Harry Kewell, who hasn't trained at all since the Croatia match, might well come off the bench. Read the Yaoo preview. The Italians are firm favourites, with the socceroos firm underdogs, which is the way Hiddink likes it.