Destiny 06 – 16 Days To Go

We continue the countdown to the World Cup (South American) play-off kick-off of the 1st Leg being played in Montevideo (Saturday 12 November), bringing you up-to-date with all the headline news from around the country surrounding the crucial play-off matches.

We continue the countdown to the World Cup (South American) play-off kick-off of the 1st Leg being played in Montevideo (Saturday 12 November), bringing you up-to-date with all the headline news from around the country surrounding the crucial play-off matches.

SUPPORT THE Socceroos

Australian sports fans can show their support for the Socceroos for the upcoming matches against Uruguay, by logging onto a new interactive fans site - http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/destiny06/

Some of the features of the site include: a message board, send a photo (by mobile only) and be part of a mosaic plus information on Australia and Uruguay. There will features added as we get closer to the big games.

Socceroos WATCH

John Aloisi came on in 77th minute, as Alaves drew 1-1 with Espanyol.

The only player in action tonight, is Archie Thompson who will lead the attack for Melbourne Victory against Adelaide United.

21 of the remaining 22 players are all available for their clubs over the weekend, with the only confirmed absentee being Stan Lazaridis, who is out of Birmingham City-s match with a hamstring strain.

WHAT-S MAKING THE NEWS

23-MAN SQUAD ANNOUNCED

Guus Hiddink announced his 23-man squad that will play against Uruguay, with only one new face from the squad that was brought together for the Jamaica game.   Ljubo Milicevic gets a recall after missing the Jamaica match because of his brother-s wedding back in Australia.   The full squad is: John Aloisi (Alaves, Spain), Marco Bresciano (Parma, Italy), Tim Cahill (Everton, England), Scott Chipperfield (Basel, Switzerland), Ante Covic (Hammarby, Sweden), Jason Culina (PSV Eindhoven, Holland), Ahmad Elrich (Fulham, England), Brett Emerton (Blackburn Rovers, England), Vince Grella (Parma, Italy), Joel Griffiths (Neuchatel Xamax, Switzerland), Zeljko Kalac (AC Milan, Italy), Harry Kewell (Liverpool, England), Stan Lazaridis (Birmingham City, England), Ljubo Milicevic (FC Thun, Switzerland), Lucas Neill (Blackburn Rovers, England), Tony Popovic (Crystal Palace, England), Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough, England), Josip Skoko (Wigan Athletic, England), Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory, Australia), Michael Thwaite (National Bucharest, Romania), Tony Vidmar (NAC Breda, Holland), Mark Viduka (Middlesbrough, England), Luke Wilkshire (Bristol City, England)

SBS COVERAGE

SBS has secured the rights to the first leg of the World Cup qualifying play-off between Australia and Uruguay that will be shown LIVE on Sunday (November 13) morning from 9.30am (AEDT).

They will then back up and show the second leg on Wednesday November 16 from Telstra Stadium, live from 7.00pm.

FFA HAPPY WITH SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS

Football Federation Australia CEO John O'Neill has said that he was satisfied with the security arrangements in place ahead of the Socceroos World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in Montevideo on 12 November.

The FFA had raised concerns following the events of four years in Montevideo, which saw the Australian players jostled and spat at after landing at Montevideo airport.

FFA CHIEFS MEET WITH URUGUAYAN FOOTBALL PRESIDENT

Chairman of Football Federation Australia (FFA), Mr Frank Lowy and Chief Executive Officer Mr John O'Neill, in Zurich attending FIFA meetings, took the opportunity to be introduced to and meet with the President of the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF), Mr Eugenio Figueredo.   The meeting was most cordial and the two Federations have readily agreed that the forthcoming 2006 FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches, the first in Montevideo on Saturday 12 November 2005, and the second match in Sydney on Wednesday 16 November at Telstra Stadium, will be conducted in the utmost spirit of good sportsmanship and under the FIFA banner of Fair Play.   Both Mr Lowy and Mr Figueredo are absolutely committed to well organised and presented matches and agreed that each would be treated with great hospitality in their countries during the play-off. 

The next update will be on Monday October 31, with a full wrap of the weekend-s action.