Socceroos have launched into wild celebrations right across the the country as Graham Arnold’s underdog team made history with their World Cup win over Denmark in Qatar.
Written off as one of the worst Socceroos sides to ever compete at the World Cup, Arnold and his team silenced their doubters in spectacular fashion on Thursday morning, with their 1-0 victory over Denmark sealing their place in the last-16.
It is a feat that only the ‘golden generation’ of 2006 have managed to accomplish, when a side that boasted Tim Cahill, Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell were knocked out by Italy in Germany.
The party has well and truly started across Australia after their victory over Denmark
A number of fans spilled out onto George Street in Sydney and let a flare off on Thursday
Fans gather and sing ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Aussie’ to the tune of The Name of the Game
Australia can go one further this time around when they meet either Poland, Argentina, Mexico or Saudi Arabia in a match that will grip the nation on Sunday morning.
But for now it’s party time across Australia, with fans sharing clips of themselves going absolutely berserk during wild scenes in the early hours of Thursday.
Pubs and clubs around the country had their licensing laws relaxed so supporters could enjoy a beer or two at a time when the venues are normally shut – and Aussies definitely took advantage of the opportunity.
At a bar on George Street in the heart of the Sydney CBD, fans were seen hugging and jumping in the air on the road as the full time whistle was blown and Australia’s World Cup campaign continued.
Meanwhile, at a pub believed to be in Western Sydney, one fan is heard imploring the referee to ‘blow your whistle you f****** c***’ and when the official duly obliges, the whole venue leaps out of their seats and celebrates wildly.
Thousands of supporters turned out at Federation Square for the big game on Thursday, leading some to joke the area should be renamed Federation Flare
There were scenes of sheer pandemonium in Melbourne after Mathew Leckie’s winning strike in the 60th minute
In Adelaide, fans climbed atop tables and took off their Socceroos jerseys and swung them around their heads in scenes of sheer pandemonium as the Australians made the impossible possible.
Back in Sydney, fans spilled out of bars and made their way onto the street to continue their celebrations, and were heard chanting ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Aussie’ to the tune of The Name of the Game.
One fan in Melbourne shared on Twitter how the game in Al-Wakrah gripped the city.
‘It wasn’t just Fed Square. Pubs across Melbourne were packed at 4am on a weeknight & could hear cheering from different houses walking through the streets.
At a pub believed to be in Western Sydney, fans went wild at the sound of the full time whistle
Groups of friends hug and cheer after Australia’s place in the last 16 was confirmed
There were similar scenes at a pub in Adelaide which showed the game on a big screen TV
‘Many of these players were boys watching 2006 – this was as special. We need to invest in this sport.’
Another fan in Sydney said: ‘Shared a special moment tonight. 4:40am, get out of my Uber from the star. Flares in Norton St Leichhardt. 25 young men going bezerk. ITS A WEEK NIGHT.’
While the party had only just got started back home, Graham Arnold was ensuring his side stay well and truly grounded as attention turns to their last-16 clash.
The Socceroos boss insisted that there will be no celebrating among his squad after their victory over Denmark.
‘No celebrations tonight. That’s why we won after a great win against Tunisia,’ he said.
‘No celebrations, no emotion, sleep, no social media.’
Mathew Leckie’s stunning solo goal sunk Denmark 1-0 and sent Australia into the World Cup knockout stage for just the second time.
Meanwhile, the lucky fans at the Al-Janoub stadium witnessed Socceroos history in the flesh
Leckie’s superb left-footed strike ensures the Socceroos follow the feats of the so-called golden generation in 2006 in reaching the round of 16.
But unlike that side, Arnold’s team managed to win two group games in a row – a feat the national team had never accomplished at a World Cup.
The stalwart, played into space by Riley McGree, broke an hour-long deadlock with a slicing run at his marker Joakim Maehle after gathering some 30 metres from goal.
First to his right, then onto his left, Leckie twisted and turned his opponent and fired a low left-footer to instantly enter Australian football folklore.
‘As the ball was rolling in, I saw it going in, I was so excited and so happy,’ Leckie said pitchside.
‘By the celebration you see how much emotion there was.
‘I’m just so proud. We’ve worked so hard.
‘This is my third World Cup now and I’ve had my chances in previous World Cups to score, wasn’t meant to be.
‘My first World Cup (goal) is probably one of the most important goals for me and for the team.’
Leckie’s timing was perfect in more ways than one.
In the other simultaneous game in Australia’s group on Wednesday (Thursday AEDT), outsiders Tunisia had scored just three minutes earlier against holders France, who rested almost their entire first-choice side.
Thousands of fans celebrated at Federation Square after Australia’s victory over Denmark
Supporters let off flares after Mathew Leckie’s goal was scored at approximately 3.30am
The Tunisian goal momentarily lifted them to second in the group behind the French only for Leckie to restore the Socceroos into that prized slot.
Australia will meet the winners of Group C, which looms as the victor of Argentina’s clash with Poland later on Wednesday (from 0600 AEDT Thursday).
Poland (four points) currently head Lionel Messi’s Argentina (three points) with Saudi Arabia (three points) trailing on goal difference.
The Socceroos knockout fixture will be played on Saturday night (0600 Sunday AEDT).
Leckie and his captain Mat Ryan, barring injury, will break the Australian record for most cup games in the knockout encounter.
Graham Arnold celebrates with assistant coach Rene Meulensteen after Australia’s victory
Against the Danes, the duo both made their ninth cup appearance, equalling Tim Cahill and Marco Bresciano’s record.
Goalkeeper Ryan was called into action early as the Socceroos lacked early spark and were forced to repel a series of attacks from the Danes, ranked 10th in the world, 28 slots higher than Australia.
Ryan made a reflex save in the 11th minute from a thundering Mathias Jensen shot, the Australian parrying away with both hands above his head.
The Danes controlled two-thirds of possession, having almost double the passes of Australia in the opening half yet the Socceroos crafted some half-chances mainly courtesy of midfielder Riley McGree.
The Socceroos coach’s immediate reaction when the full time whistle was blown in Qatar
The attacking midfielder had the first shot of the match – a long-range left footer in the third minute which was blocked in the box – and another some 20 minutes later after Leckie and Mitch Duke headers played him into space.
After a scoreless half, Socceroos coach Graham Arnold replaced Craig Goodwin, who lacked his customary fizz on the flank, with Keanu Baccus.
And Arnold must have revved up his players, who produced a much improved second half to create another landmark.
‘We always knew we could do it. We believed as a group,’ Leckie said.
‘We had our doubters. With our spirit, our belief, our work ethic and how close we are as a group, it shows on the pitch.
‘That last 15, 20 minutes, we battled until the end. It didn’t matter what they threw at us, we weren’t conceding.’
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