Doha, Nov 29: Scenes of wild celebrations featuring flares and fire are not the norm in Australia after World Cup matches.
Yet that was exactly what happened in Melbourne’s Fed Square after the Socceroos beat Tunisia on Saturday for just their third win in 18 World Cup matches.
Now, Australia is after something even bigger: reaching the last 16 of soccer’s biggest event – something it has achieved only once, in 2006.
Australia faces European Championship semifinalist Denmark in its decisive final group game Wednesday, with the winner likely advancing.
“It’s been an amazing reaction from our result. And so there should be,” said Australia striker Mitchell Duke, who scored with a header in the 1-0 win against Tunisia.
“But we haven’t achieved anything yet.
Australia will qualify with a win, or a draw unless Tunisia beats France. Denmark needs to win and hope that Tunisia doesn’t beat France.
Australia is counting on France performing well against Tunisia.
“There’s players out there that are hungry for individual awards. And (France forward Kylian) Mbappé will want to keep scoring goals to try and get the Golden Boot and things like that,” Duke said.
“So I’m hopeful all those players in the French squad keep that same mentality and want to get the full clean sweep in their group to get the result and do us a favor against Tunisia.” Although, as Duke also pointed out, “as long as we get the job done against Denmark, it doesn’t matter.” (AP)
