Australia revive World Cup hopes

Australia 1 Uruguay 0 (1-1 aggregate)

Australia revived their hopes of reaching the World Cup after Mark Bresciano levelled their play-off against Uruguay at Sydney’s Telstra Stadium.

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Bresciano lashed home in the 35th minute after Liverpool midfielder Harry Kewell had missed his kick in the penalty area.

It was fair reward for the hosts after going close through a Jason Culina long-range effort and a shot from Brett Emerton which cleared the crossbar.

Uruguay, who beat Australia in a play-off four years ago to reach the last World Cup, posed their own threat through Alvaro Recoba, who went close after lifting the ball over Tony Vidmar but firing wide.