Australia's dream of going to the World Cup was cruelly shattered again as they fell in a playoff for the third successive time after losing 3-0 to Uruguay on Sunday.
Australia's players left the field in desolation and some wept in the changing room following another near-miss which left the Socceroos with one solitary World Cup finals appearance in 1974 to their credit.
"Obviously, the players are very, very disappointed as I am as well," said coach Frank Farina after Sunday's second leg defeat meant Uruguay qualified 3-1 on aggregate.
After the first leg, it was the best position we have been in in terms of qualifying, obviously we're very disappointed but the battle goes on."
Last Tuesday's 1-0 win in Melbourne had left the Australians believing that they could finally wipe out the traumatic memories of a similar defeat against Argentina in 1993 and their dramatic away goals defeat to Iran in 1997.
Bureau Report