WE WON!!!!!

In 1945 Australia, as part of the Allied forces, defeated Japan and its allies in WWII.

In 2006 Australia defeated Japan again - but this time in something that really matters

Tonight Australia have truly made their mark on the world stage.

For Australia, making it into the FIFA World Cup is a historical event in itself - the last one was in 1974.

In that World Cup we were unable to put ball to net.

The build-up to the finals series in thie World Cup has been immense. The Australian team has been shrouded by history. That history was perhaps one of the defining characteristics of the passion surrounding tonight's match. Those 'SoccerWho?' commercials are an example of this - and had the desired effect of reminding us all that after our last World Cup appearance there is only one way to go - up. And tonight the team went up in spectacular fashion.

That same history that bound the nation also threatened to burden the team with hopes and dreams that they may not be able to fill. Indeed, at times the nerves seemed to be a factor. I daresay the Japanese team were hoping the pressure of history would weight the team down.

And when that Japanese goal was scored under very controversial circumstances you could almost hear the hearts of the Australian supporters simultaneously breaking. Even the team looked uncertain where to go from there. But they never lost hope. The fans never lost hope. And Guus Hiddink never lost hope.

And the faith of the supporters was repaid in glorious fashion when the first goal was scored out of almost nowhere by Tim Cahill. Perhaps one of the most emotional moments in Australian soccer when we scored our first World Cup goal - and the equaliser at that. I was jumping up and down so much that the cat got scared and bolted out the window.

After that the Australian team was recharged and came back with a vengeance. An astounding shot by Cahill - and beautifully set up by Aloisi. The keeper never stood a chance of reaching that - pinpoint precision to get it past the defenders. The feeling of scoring the 2nd goal - the one that took us into the lead...wow.......I don't think I'm the only person in Australia to be in shock.

But to score 3 goals - not just defeat Japan, but defeat them decisively...incredible. Magic. Pure Magic. Watching Aloisi run towards that defender, knowing he was about to wrong-foot him then run for goals, then watching him do it.....It was beautiful.

Brilliant substituting by Guus Hiddink - he should be given an Order of Australia Medal, or something. The effect he's had on the Australian team is incredible - and his strategy for the World Cup...he's a master at the game. Aloisi came on and received a yellow, set up one goal then scored one himself in less than ten minutes. That's exactly the impact you want from a substitute. After that first goal the Australians destroyed the Japanese defence; it's incredible what confidence in what you can do - as well as the realisation that you actually just did it (scored a goal) - can do. They didn't look nervous, cautious or on edge. They became lethal and the Japanese fell apart at the sight.

It feels awesome to be a part of something like this. This match is one that will always be one of the most important matches in Australian soccer. When Australia stepped up to the world stage of the 'beautiful game'. It represents a massive change in Australian soccer - one which has been in the making in the past few years with the change from Soccer Australia to the Football Federation Australia, and the dissolution of the National Soccer League to be replaced by the new-look, new-attitude Hyundai A-League. We've been listening to all sorts of talk about how Australian soccer is going to be bigger than we could ever dream - and this win symbolically represents the beginning of the culmination of all those dreams. This game, this win - this will give a nation not only hope, but faith - that finally we're not minnows on the world stage in soccer but we can become a power, we can become somebody to take notice of.

No matter what happens after this game, we've achieved more than we have ever achieved before - and more than we could dare hope for. I was cautiously optimistic (and probably somewhat biased) in anticipating a 2-1 victory. There's no way I could have expected such a decisive 3-1 win. I wouldn't have dared hope for such an impact. But god I hoped for it.

It's not often you get to feel like you're truly a part of history. But tonight that was what I felt - and I imagine a lot of Australians around the world felt the same. And I'm sure I'm among countless Aussies tonight to admit that I had tears in my eyes watching the Socceroos get a taste for victory in the FIFA World Cup.