After defeating Uruguay, and drawing with Switzerland in preparational friendlies - the Socceroos officially begin their campaign in Group 1 - where they face fellow debutants East Germany, hosts West Germany, and then South American qualifiers Chile. Under Rale Rasic, will the Socceroos light up Germany, and ignite football in Australia in the process?

The Socceroos came up short 2-1 against fellow debutants East Germany. Will they be able to bounce back against hosts West Germany?

The Socceroos shocked the hosts 1-0 in their second Group 1 fixture. Australia now need to better West Germany's result in their match against Chile to qualify for the second group stage/quarter-finals.

Spearheaded by Branko Buljevic, a 3-1 victory in the final group match against Chile was enough to seal a spot in the final 8 of the tournament, as East Germany held West Germany to a draw to top the group.

Australia now face two-time champions Uruguay, reigning world champions Brazil, and another two-time champion in Italy, with the winner of the group progressing to the World Cup Final, and the runner up advancing to the Third-Place Playoff.

The Socceroos repeated their friendly victories over Uruguay with a 2-0 win, while Italy defeated Brazil 1-0 in their opening second-stage fixture.

Australia will face Brazil next

The Socceroos followed up with a third consecutive victory over South American opposition - defeating reigning world champions Brazil 2-0 - to put them within reach of the FIFA World Cup Final

Australia will face Italy next - who defeated Chile in their second match - with the winner of the group progressing to the World Cup Final, and the runner up advancing to the Third-Place Playoff. With Australia ahead on goal difference, a draw will be enough to see them advance to the Final in Munich.

The Socceroos were given an Italian demolition job, falling 5-0 to the Azzurri in their final group stage match, which will see Italy progress to face Group A victors Netherlands in the final.

However, Australia has finished runner up in Group B and will face Group A runners up Poland in the Third-Place Playoff.

Italy have claimed their third FIFA World Cup with a victory over Netherlands in the final at the Olympiastadion in Munich.

Poland defeated Australia to claim third place.

The Australian football team - The Socceroos - haven't qualified for the FIFA World Cup since their surprise 4th place in 1974 in West Germany.

To prepare for their qualification group, Australia are hosting the World Soccer Series, featuring Tottenham Hotspur from the English First Division, Vasco da Gama from Brazil's Campeonato Série A, and Udinese of Italy's Serie A.

In the World Soccer Series, the four teams will play eachother once in a round-robin across Australia, with the top 2 facing off in the final, and the bottom 2 facing off for third-place.

The winner of the Oceania qualifying group (also featuring New Zealand, Israel and Chinese Taipei) will play-off with the runner up of UEFA Group 7 (featuring Spain, Scotland, Wales and Iceland) for a place at the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico. Wales currently leads the group on 6 points, with Scotland in second place - and tied with Spain - on 4 points, but ahead on goal difference by 4 goals.

Frank Arok has named his squad for the series:
1 Terry Greedy - St George
2 Alan Davidson - Unattached
3 Graham Jennings - Sydney Olympic
4 David Ratcliffe - St George
5 Steve O'Connor - Sydney City
6 Charlie Yankos - Heidelberg United
7 Ken Murphy - South Melbourne
8 Oscar Crino - Anorthosis Famagusta (CYP)
9 John Kosmina - Sydney City
10 Joe Watson - Sydney City
11 David Mitchell - Eintracht Frankfurt (FRG)
12 Jeff Olver - Heidelberg United
13 Robbie Dunn - Preston Makedonia
14 Jimmy Patikas - Sydney Croatia
15 Graham Arnold - Sydney United
16 Frank Farina - Sydney City
17 Wally Savor - Sydney Croatia
18 Zarko Odzakov - Sydney Croatia
19 Tommy McCulloch - APIA Leichhardt
20 Ian Gray - Marconi
21 Paul Wade - Brunswick Juventus
22 Chris Kalantzis - Sydney Olympic

Australia defeated Tottenham 7-2 in their first match, and will be aiming to seal a place in the final with a victory over Vasco da Gama from Brazil's Campeonato Série A

Australia fell to Vasco da Gama 3-2 in their second match of the World Soccer Series, and now face Italy's Udinese in the final round-robin fixture.