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World Cup 2018: Australia team profile

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 29:  Tim Cahill of Australia celebrates scoring a goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualification match between the Australian
Image: Tim Cahill, now 38, was instrumental in helping Australia qualify for the World Cup

From fixtures and fun facts to the key men, all you need to know about Australia ahead of this summer's World Cup.

Manager: Bert van Marwijk

Star man: Tim Cahill - The evergreen 38-year-old broke Syrian hearts in October when scoring an extra-time winning goal in the second-leg play-off.

How they qualified: Prevailed 3-1 aggregate winners over Honduras in the intercontinental play-off.

History: Having first reached the World Cup in 1974, Australia have gone on to appear at every World Cup since 2006. Their best showing of those four appearances was a last-16 finish in 2006, where they lost 1-0 to Italy.

Fun fact: Tim Cahill has scored 45 per cent of Australia's goals at World Cups - five of 11.

Best World Cup moment: After ending their 32-year wait to appear at a World Cup, Australia found themselves 1-0 down going into the final 10 minutes of their opening group game against Japan in 2006. Step up Tim Cahill, who netted twice in five minutes before an injury-time John Aloisi goal sealed a famous 3-1 win, in what was their first ever victory at the finals.

Also See:

Player you've never heard of: Robbie Kruse - The Vfl Bochum forward netted in Australia's first-leg play-off against Syria in October - the Socceroos won that tie 3-2 on aggregate before beating Honduras to qualify.

Kit: Home - yellow; Away - dark green.

Group C fixtures: France (11am, June 16, Kazan), Denmark (1pm, June 21, Samara), Peru (3pm, June 26, Sochi)

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