Australia qualified for their second consecutive World Cup Finals in not quite as dramatic style as four years ago. Schwarzer was the hero then when he dramatically saved two Uruguayan penalties to send his nation to Germany.

Mark Schwarzer has become one of the most respected keepers in the English Premier League. After spells with Marconi Stallions, Dynamo Dresden and Kaiserslautern, he moved to Bradford City but only played 13 games before being signed by Middlesbrough.

 

Schwarzer went on to play over 350 games for the Teessiders, playing in the 2004 Carling (League) Cup final where the club win its first ever major silverware. His last minute penalty save the following season sent his club into the UEFA Cup for a second year and he recovered from injury to play in the final although they lost 4-0. His subsequent move to Fulham also brought rewards and he played in the Europa League final in 2010 only to lose once again.    

His international debut came in 1993 and he has made himself a permanent fixture in the Australian national side. With Schwarzer between the sticks, behind a host of now-recognisable stars, Australia has every chance of progression.