Soccer: Rule No 1: away goals are offside

MELBOURNE - The Socceroos would gleefully settle for a 1-0 victory in what they expect to be a tough, tight and uncompromising World Cup playoff match against Uruguay in Melbourne tonight.

"I would sign for a 1-0 scoreline right now," said coach Frank Farina after naming the same starting X1 who drew with world champions France last week. The Socceroos hope a 90,000-plus crowd will help them overcome a dismal home record, which shows they have never won a significant World Cup match on Australian soil.

In order to overcome their 28-year World Cup finals drought, it is vital they take a clean sheet to Montevideo for the return leg on Sunday, when away goals could settle the tie just as they did in Iran's favour four years ago.

"We're all sick of thinking about it, and talking about it," Aussie captain Paul Okon said. "Everybody is just looking forward to going out there and winning in front of our home supporters."

The match starts at 10 pm NZT.