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Last Updated: Wednesday, 16 November 2005, 18:02 GMT
World Cup play-offs second legs
The last three places at the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany are up for grabs when the two-legged play-off ties reach their conclusion on Wednesday.

Australia have won the first spot from the play-offs, beating Uruguay 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 aggregate score.

Trinidad and Tobago booked their first World Cup spot by seeing off Bahrain.

In the European section, Spain travel to Slovakia leading 5-1, Turkey host Switzerland 2-0 down and Norway visit the Czech Republic 1-0 behind.

AUSTRALIA GO THROUGH
First leg: Uruguay 1-0 Australia
Second leg: Australia 1-0 Uruguay
(Aus win 4-2 on penalties)

Australia will finally take part in another World Cup finals, 32 years after their last tournament and after a series of agonising failures.

The Socceroos secured a place in Germany in the most dramatic fashion, dumping twice World Cup winners Uruguay out in a penalty shoot-out.

John Aloisi netted the decisive spot-kick, sending 80,000 Australians wild in the Telstra Stadium in Sydney.

CZECH REPUBLIC v NORWAY (Prague)
First leg: Norway 0-1 Czech Republic

Czech Republic midfielder Vladimir Smicer is confident his country can finish off the job against Norway after his goal gave them a deserved win in Oslo.

Smicer said: "We had the game under control more or less, we are happy that we won 1-0. We went there to win, or at least score and we did both."

Norway coach Age Hareide admitted his team would have to raise their game in Prague if they are to stand a chance of pulling off an upset.

"They were poorer than normal and every player has to perform at a higher level than that on Wednesday. But we have to keep faith," he said.

SLOVAKIA v SPAIN (Bratislava)
First leg: Spain 5-1 Slovakia

Spain coach Luis Aragones knows only a miracle will prevent his side from qualifying after they thrashed Slovakia in the first leg in Madrid.

"In football you can never say that we are already in the World Cup, but we have taken a giant step and we now have a 99.9% possibility of being there," he said.

Slovakia coach Dusan Galis was devastated by his side's defeat and blamed referee Massimo De Santis after both he and defender Marian Had were sent off for protesting.

"In the World Cup, you have the best players and the best teams and you should have the best referees. Some of the decisions were incredible," raged Galis.

TURKEY v SWITZERLAND (Istanbul)
First leg: Switzerland 2-0 Turkey

Switzerland coach Koebi Kuhn said he was in two minds as to whether their victory in Berne was a good enough result as they prepare to travel to Turkey.

"I'm not sure if I should be happy or disappointed about the result," he said. "I was expecting more pressing from the Turkish team. They are now somewhat insecure."

Turkey assistant coach Oguz Cetin says it is imperative they turn around the deficit and qualify for the World Cup as so many Turks live in Germany.

"Qualifying for the World Cup finals would mean a great deal to Turkey, both for the home population, and for our fellow countrymen in Germany," said Cetin.

BAHRAIN v TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (Manama)
First leg: Trinidad & Tobago 1-1 Bahrain

Trinidad & Tobago booked a place at their first World Cup after a 1-0 win in Bahrain, which gave the Caribbean side a 2-1 aggregate win.

They will be the smallest nation at the tournament, with a population of just over one million.


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