Qualifier Anxiety This Sunday Australia plays Uruguay in the first leg of the World Cup Qualifier. I spent last night dreaming over and over about the game.

These qualifying matches are one of the few sporting events I really care about. Every four years I get very exceited and then have my hopes dashed.

I still remember Australia vs Argentina - I watched it on television. I remember Robbie Slater running hard at the Argentine defence, Aurelio Vidmar scoring, and Maradona making one sublime cross that resulted in an away goal for the Argentinians and effectively killed any chance we could qualify (given that the return leg in Argentina was always going to be incredibly difficult to win).

And then four years later I was at the MCG for the second leg vs Iran. It was an incredible night - 80,000 people going crazy. We were leading 2-0, then Peter Hore tore down the net, Iran scored 2 goals, and we were out. I felt numb.

Four years later - again at the MCG to play Uruguay. We won 1-0, but I felt a bit apprehensive. The team didn't play that well, and it was always going to be hard against Uruguay at home in the second leg. They smashed us.

This time around it feels like we have the best chance we've ever had to qualify. I'll be going to Sydney for the second leg. Which will either be a wonderful night or an absolute disaster. No wonder I'm feeling anxious.  ¶ 7:51 AM