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Melbourne’s Federation Square went properly bananas after the Socceroos’ 1-0 World Cup victory over Tunisia.
The iconic Melbourne live site was packed with thousands of Aussie football fans for the clash with Tunisia, which kicked off at a friendly time of 9pm on Saturday night for the locals.
As Mitch Duke’s header hit the back of the net in the first half, the crowd roared as one as flares were lit and vocal cords strained.
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The crowd continued to buzz as the Socceroos survived numerous challenges from the Tunisians throughout the second half, before erupting again as the full-time whistle was blown as the time approached 11pm in Melbourne.
Speaking on Weekend Today on Sunday morning, Socceroos great Mark Bosnich said the Socceroos’ fate lay in their hands.
Assuming France beat Tunisia, Australia only needs to draw against Denmark to make it through. A win would guarantee them a spot.
“It’s the first time since qualification when it went out of our hands … that it’s up to us what we do,” Bosnich said.
He said Denmark would still start the match as favourites, but believed the Socceroos play better as the underdog.
“Denmark will be thinking ‘if we can’t beat Australia we don’t deserve to be in the knockout stages’,” he said.
“Hopefully they underestimate us, because Australia’s better in a an underdog situation.
Socceroos ‘not intimidated’ says Bosnich
“But either way … they’ve done us proud.
“Graham Arnold performed a minor miracle by qualifying us for this tournament. I said at the start of the tournament, they have nothing to lose.
“As long as they don’t get embarrassed … they are on the precipice of making history.
“It’s going to be a tough game but I believe that they can do it.”
After the match, Arnold said he believed many Australians would be nursing Sunday morning hangovers, but his players would not be among them.
“When the Socceroos play at World Cups, AFL fans, rugby league fans, cricket fans; they all become football fans. And I can imagine the celebrations that are going on at home. … I think they’ll be a few hangovers in the morning,” Arnold said.
“(To the Socceroos) I just said, ‘No doubt the nation is extremely proud, but we’ve done nothing. You’ve achieved something we can talk about when we get home’,” he said.
“I don’t want any celebration. Just enjoy these couple of minutes on the pitch with the fans. Then ice baths, recover and get ready for the next one.”
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