Gulf Today Report
Australian fans who had gathered in the southern hemisphere winter cold to watch the Australia’s World Cup playoff against Peru at outdoor viewing areas, including one in Melbourne's downtown Federation Square, erupted in celebration with their booking a spot in Qatar World Cup.
But it was Tony Armstrong, a sports presenter for the Australian Broadcasting Corp. and a former professional Australian rules footballer, was among the thousands of people who could barely contain the joy.
He was screaming into his microphone "Yes, we're through, we're through to the World Cup” as he mixed it up with revellers.
It was Australia’s second sudden-death match in a week — the Socceroos beat UAE 2-1 in an Asian playoff last Tuesday to advance to the Peru match.
Australia's next big assignment will be a meeting with defending champion France in the opening game of Group D at the World Cup on Nov. 22, and take on Tunisia and Denmark.
Australian rules football and the two rugby codes usually take prominence at this time of the year Down Under.