Ricky Ponting’s cricketers might be clinging to their status as the biggest brand name in Australian domestic sport, but the Socceroos are catching up fast. By the time this list is compiled next year, they might well have outpaced Ponting and co. If they do, it will be because of their achievements this year, when a near flawless World Cup qualifying campaign was completed at the MCG in June with a 2-1 victory over Japan. Along the way, the Socceroos conceded just a single goal in World Cup qualifying games this year. A 3-0 win over Ireland and a 0-0 draw with footballing aristocrats Holland were impressive friendly results, but by qualifying for their second successive World Cup, the Socceroos proved firstly that the victory over Uruguay four years earlier was no fluke, and secondly that they are here to stay as a genuine force in world football. Michael Lynch
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