An excited Socceroos great Craig Foster has call for prime minister Anthony Albanese to call a public holiday after Australia defeated Tunisia 1-0 in the World Cup.
The result sees Australia facing a December 1 clash against Denmark to decide whether the Socceroos will move into the knockout stages for the second time in World Cup history.
A win for Australia over Denmark would likely secure a knockout berth, while a draw would mean it depends on results.
If Australia do win through to the knockout stages, a match against the winner of Group C await — a group which includes Saudi Arabia, Poland, Mexico and Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
Australia are on the cusp of another enormous World Cup result and former Socceroos are getting excited.
“Someone needs to call Albo about a public holiday,” Foster said.
“Saudi Arabia have done it so why not the Socceroos?”
Saudi Arabia defeated Argentina their opening match up in a shocking upset as the World No. 51, and second lowest ranked team at the World Cup, defeated World No. 3 and one of the tournament favourites.
As a result, King Salman announced a public holiday.
Reports also emerged Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had promised the players a Rolls Royce Phantom each for the win, worth around $A650,000, although manager Herve Renard denied the claim.
“There is nothing true about this. We have a very serious federation and ministry of sport. It’s not time to get something at this moment,” he said.
“We only have had one game and there are two very important games left. And we are hoping for some more.”
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While it’s not an achievement such as when Australia II ended the New York Yacht Club’s 132-year stranglehold on the America’s Cup, fans would appreciate the time off.
Due to Qatar’s timezone, and because the third matches of the group will be played at the same time, Australia and Denmark will take the field at 2am AEDT, which will leave plenty of bleary eyes at workplaces around the country.
Albanese tweeted after the win: “Great win by the @Socceroos tonight!”
He was then inundated with comments calling for a public holiday.