Australia reach World Cup finals
Australia have qualified for the 2006 World Cup after beating play-off rivals Uruguay on penalties in Sydney.
Marco Bresciano's 35th-minute goal levelled the tie following Uruguay's first-leg victory, but neither team was able to find the telling breakthrough.
Following 120 minutes of end-to-end action former Coventry striker John Aloisi scored the decisive spot-kick.
Uruguay saw two penalties saved by Mark Schwarzer, and despite Mark Viduka's miss Aloisi saw Australia through.
It is the first time Australia have reached the finals of football's premier tournament since 1974.
"We just can't believe it. We're there. We've been dreaming it for 32 years," said Aloisi.
Middlesbrough goalkeeper Schwarzer will share the hero status after saving Uruguay's first and fourth penalties in the shoot-out from Dario Rodriguez and Marcelo Zalayeta.
Harry Kewell, a first-half substitute, gave Australia the perfect start from the spot before Lucas Neill and Tony Vidmar also converted their efforts.
Viduka dragged a tame shot wide, but moments later that miss became irrelevant as Aloisi slotted his effort.
PENALTY SHOOT-OUT
Australia - 4
Harry Kewell scores
Lucas Neill scores
Tony Vidmar scores
Mark Viduka misses
John Aloisi scores
Uruguay - 2
Dario Rodriguez saved
Gustavo Varela scores
Fabian Estoyanoff scores
Marcelo Zalayeta saved
All the action as it happened
Despite the vocal support of a full house at the Telstra Stadium Australia were slower out of the blocks than their visitors.
And after 30 minutes of seeing his side pushed back as Alvaro Recoba orchestrated proceedings, Australia coach Guus Hiddink decided to make a tactical switch and bring on Kewell.
It was an inspired change and paid off almost instantly as the Liverpool man was involved in the opening goal.
Middlesbrough striker Viduka collected a pass from Tim Cahill and instinctively flicked the ball towards Kewell who in turn inadvertently set up Bresciano with a mis-kick.
The Parma forward made no mistake, lashing in a shot beyond Fabian Carini.
Kewell and Cahill kept Australia going forward in an entertaining and open game, but despite their best efforts and a wealth of possession and territorial advantage the hosts were unable to find a second.
Bresciano twice had shots which were off target, and Richard Morales should have done better for the visitors when Recoba's corner found him free in front of goal.
Australia were helped by uncompromising defender Paolo Montero going off with an injury, while Marcelo Zalayeta was brought on for Recoba.
But in extra time Uruguay came back into the game with Zalayeta causing problems while Gustavo Varela, Guillermo Rodriguez and Morales all had efforts on goal.
However, they were unable to find the equaliser that would have sent them through and it was left to Aloisi to take the headlines and the glory for Australia.
Australia: Schwarzer, Neill, Chipperfield, Cahill, Vidmar, Popovic (Kewell 32), Emerton (Skoko 111), Viduka, Grella, Culina, Bresciano (Aloisi 95).
Subs Not Used: Kalac, Lazaridis, Milicevic, Thompson.
Booked: Popovic, Vidmar, Emerton, Kewell.
Goals: Bresciano 35.
Uruguay: Carini, Lugano, Dario Rodriguez, Montero (Sosa 80), Pablo Garcia, Guillermo Rodriguez, Varela, Diogo, Recoba (Zalayeta 73), Regueiro (Estoyanoff 97), Richard Morales.
Subs Not Used: Silva, Viera, Lago, De los Santos.
Booked: Diogo, Regueiro, Dario Rodriguez, Pablo Garcia, Richard Morales.
Agg: 1-1. Australia win 4-2 on penalties
Ref: Luis Medina Cantalejo (Spain).
