The games were played on 31 October and 17 November 1993 inSydney andBuenos Aires respectively. Australia was hoping to play in the FIFA World Cup for the first time since1974, and Argentina was hoping to qualify after reaching theFIFA World Cup Final three times in the previous four FIFA World Cups. The only time that Argentina failed to qualify for a FIFA World Cup was in1970. This qualification play-off notably immediately followed Argentina's5–0 defeat byColombia at home in Buenos Aires on 5 September 1993. The crowd of 43,967 who watched the first leg played at theSydney Football Stadium was at the time a stadium record crowd for any sporting event.[1]
The series were notable for being the first time Argentina had to play a qualification play-off match in their history. Moreover, the series saw the return ofDiego Maradona to the national team after a long dispute with managerAlfio Basile.[2] Some years later, Maradona suggested that drug tests were deliberately avoided during the series, stating that "to play against Australia, the Association gave us a 'fast coffee'" to drink before the match.[3]
New Zealand (A)
Canada (A)
Australia: SBS
Argentina:Canal 9,NexTV! &TeleRed (Only first leg are broadcast live);Eltrece,Canal 30 &Nuevo Siglo Cable TV (Only second leg are broadcast live)
United Kingdom:Sky Sports
United States:ESPN (English) andTelemundo (Spanish)
