Jun 19, 2006, 0:58 GMT
Sydney - Millions of Australians had their hopes of an upset victory over Brazil dashed Monday when the reining World Cup champions slotted in two unanswered goals to take the full three points from their Munich match.
Ronaldo of Brazil (C) fights for the ball with (L-R) Scott Chipperfield, Vince Grella and Lucas Neill of Australia during the group F match of the 2006 FIFA World Cup between Brazil and Australia in Munich, Germany, Sunday 18 June 2006. EPA/ALEXANDER RUESCHE
It was the biggest game in Australian football history and the wished-for surprise victory would have touched off celebrations not seen since a local boat beat the United States entry in the Americas Cup yacht race in 1983.
Tens of thousands braved rain and 5-degree southern hemisphere winter temperatures to watch the game on giant screens set up in public squares around the nation.
Police in Melbourne closed Federation Square after 10,000 fans crammed the viewing area. In Sydney, fans braved rain to watch the 2 a.m. transmission of the Munich match at screens on the harbour foreshore.
Pubs and clubs across the country disgorged football fans saddened by their team's loss. Many were unlikely to show up for work later on Monday morning.
An estimated 2,500 Brazilian expatriates watched the Samba Kings despatch the Socceroos on screens at the Home nightclub in Sydney's Darling Harbour tourist precinct.
Millions of Australians who had rarely watched a football game caught 'fussball fieber' when their team posted a shock 3-1 win in their opening match with Japan.
Australia's last World Cup appearance was in Germany in 1974, where the team came away without winning a match or scoring a goal.
National broadcaster SBS was expecting to beat the record it set for the Japan game when 3.3 million tuned in to see Brazil secure a place in the last 16 and their team hope for salvation in the coming Group F game against Croatia.
Employers' groups an politicians are urging bosses not to penalize those who turn up late for work - or don't turn up at all.
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