Destiny 06 – 24 Days To Go

We continue the countdown to the World Cup (South American) play-off kick-off (as of the time of writing) 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

All eyes were on Brussels this morning with the anticipated return of Harry Kewell to the playing field after a long absence with injury. Liverpool boss Raphael Benitez didn-t disappoint with Kewell brought on with 15 minutes remaining of the Champions League clash against Anderlecht. The good news is that it appears Kewell got through unscathed and Aussie boss Guus Hiddink will now be watching earnestly to see how much match fitness he can get prior the 1st leg against Uruguay on November 12.

As expected Zeljko Kalac didn-t see any game time for AC Milan in the Champions League clash against Hiddink-s PSV Eindhoven. The match finished 0-0.

We are unable to ascertain whether John Aloisi played against Eiber in the Spanish Cup match.

Several players will be action tonight in the UEFA Cup, with Mark Viduka and Mark Schwarzer expected to figure prominently in Middlesbrough away clash with Grasshoppers, while Scott Chipperfield will be in action for FC Basel against Strasbourg.

WHAT-S MAKING THE NEWS

URUGUYAN SUSPENSIONS

The Socceroos got an unexpected bonus overnight with FIFA confirming that three players from Uruguay will not be eligible to play in the first leg of the play-off due to suspensions.

Defender Diego Lugano and midfielders Gustavo Varela and Omar Pouso all picked yellow cards against Argentina, accumulating enough cards in the qualifying competition to receive a suspension. All yellow cards are no wiped clean for the play-off series.

MOORE INJURY

Craig has suffered a relapse of his hamstring injury according to assistant national coach Graham Arnold, but the medical staff are waiting on scans to determine the extent of the injury.