INTERVIEW - 20th Anniversary of Socceroos 2006 FIFA World Cup Qualification

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 30: (INTERVIEW) Tony Popovic speaks about being substituted and says "Look, it's, it's a yellow card. It's, you know, that that happens in the game. And, obviously Guus made a decision, to take me off in that moment. You know, I thought I was fine to stay on, but, you know, you got to, you know, you get angry in that moment when you're coming off and, but, you know, soon after a couple of minutes, you realize what you're there for, and, you know, it's part of the team it's part of, getting to the World Cup that that the decisions get made and, you know, it's not one play that's going to get us there, it's the squad, it's the team. And, we showed over the two games that we deserved to win and go through to the World Cup." on May 30, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. On November 16, 2005, Australia faced Uruguay at Stadium Australia in the second leg of their 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff. The match ended one all at extra time, sending the match to a penalty shootout. Australia won 4–2 on penalties, with John Aloisi scoring the decisive spot-kick to send the Socceroos to their first World Cup since 1974. It remains one of the most iconic moments in Australian sporting history, remembered for the heroics of goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, who saved two penalties, and John Aloisi who scored the winning penalty to send Australia through to the 2006 FIFA World Cup. (Footage by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)