Canberra World Cup fans have got their way.
The ACT government has caved in and will create a Civic live site for the Socceroos' third-and-final group game - against Paraguay in San Francisco on Friday.
Originally, the government said it would only create a live site in Civic if Australia progressed to the knockout stage of the World Cup, but now they're creating one at Garema Place for Friday's game - which kicks off at 12pm.
About 100 people attended the University of Canberra refectory for the Socceroos' 2-0 defeat to the US on Saturday morning.
The indoor refectory was the government's initial place to watch Socceroos games, but public outrage has forced its hand to create a site in Civic.
ACT Senate candidate Nick Tyrrell wrote to ACT Sports Minister Yvette Berry to declare a live site could be installed in the city centre for "the cost of filling one pothole".
Canberrans took to social media to reveal their jealousy of the scenes from Melbourne's Federation Square, with fans going crazy during Australia's 2-0 victory over Turkiye.
Both the Garema Place and UC sites will remain open for as long as the Socceroos stay alive in the World Cup.
A win over Paraguay will guarantee they progress to the knockout rounds, but they might also get through even if they lose.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr called on Canberrans to "make a day of it" on Friday.
"The new site will create memories for those wanting to experience watching the Socceroos on the big screen at Garema Place, while also bringing more people into the city," he said.
"We ask fans to make a day of it and support the cafes, bars, restaurants and retailers that line Garema Place and the surrounding precinct.
"Whether it's grabbing food before kick-off or staying on for a meal afterwards, every transaction helps local business."
Berry said the two Canberrans in the Socceroos squad - Jason Geria and Kai Trewin - gave fans in the capital even more reason to get behind their national team.
Geria's come off the bench in both of Australia's games, while Trewin has been an unused substitute in both.
"We know Canberrans love their sport and when it comes to football, our passion runs from grassroots communities right through to the international stage," Berry said.
"With two local players there is even more reason to get out and support the Socceroos at this World Cup."
WORLD CUP
Friday: Australia v Paraguay at San Francisco, 12pm.
One of Canberra's own Socceroos has revealed the real boost felt by the World Cup squad seeing Australians back home showing their support, as calls for a live site in Civic gained more momentum.
Socceroos defender and former Gungahlin United junior, Kai Trewin, said the impact of the green-and gold army cannot be underestimated after clips of incredible scenes from Australian live sites had been viewed by the squad on social media.
The Socceroos will need every bit of support they can get when they take on host nation, the USA, on Saturday morning in what Trewin predicts will be a "very heated" encounter, given the war of words in the media in the lead-up.
"For us, you see at home that the Australian people are really getting around it," Trewin said.
"The support is felt by us. As Australians, I think you always get around the Socceroos.
"I have never wanted to win a game more than this one, I can tell you that for free."
It comes as a debate has raged in the capital over whether an outdoor live site in the city should have been launched for the World Cup.
There was backlash over the ACT government's decision to show the group games on a big screen at the University of Canberra, rather than a more central, outdoor option, as it had done for previous World Cups.
The ACT government has since told Socceroos fans it was now considering adding "additional live sites" in the city, but not until Australia make it through the group stage.
The peak soccer body in Canberra, Capital Football, backed the passionate campaign from fans for a city live site, especially given there are two products from the capital in the Socceroos squad in Trewin and Jason Geria.
"Capital Football encourages all Canberrans to get behind the Socceroos and our local boys Jason Geria and Kai Trewin," chair Sarah Baker-Goldsmith said.
"The atmosphere when watching games together in Civic Square can't be beaten."
Geria played in the Socceroos' impressive 2-0 upset over Turkey, and Trewin was hopeful his experience playing for New York City in Major League Soccer might get him a nod to face off against the Americans in Seattle.
There's been no shortage of feeling leading up to the group clash, fuelled by some hot takes by US media pundits, and Trewin said the big-talking Americans have only further motivated the Socceroos.
Given the last time the teams met in a friendly in October there were multiple confrontations in a highly physical match the US won 2-1, Trewin is predicting a similarly aggressive showdown.
"I expect it to be very, very heated," Trewin said.
"You've got to be careful, no one wants to do anything silly, but I'm sure there'll be lots of big moments or strong tackles from both sides, and I don't think anyone will be leaving anything out there."
"I'm ready if I'm called upon to play," Trewin added.
"In whatever capacity that is, I'll put my best foot forward. It's such an honour to be a Socceroo and to represent them at a World Cup. It's very special to me."
Joining fellow American soccer commentators Alexi Lalas and Charlie Davies in dismissing the Socceroos, Mike Grella more recently mocked the quality of the Aussie squad.
He declared the team had "never won anything" and said the Socceroos were a "lay-up" for the US, in turn galvanising the men in gold, and fans Down Under.
US midfielder Sebastian Berhalter highlighted the cocky attitude of the American squad in explaining to media their simple mantra: "We're American. We don't take s--t."
The Socceroos are coming into this World Cup having reached the round of 16 at the last tournament where they were beaten by eventual champions, Argentina.
So the Aussies aren't lacking confidence either, they just obviously express it a little differently to the Americans.
"We want to do better than we've ever done before at a World Cup, and that'll mean getting another result against the US and pushing through the group stage," Trewin said.
The ACT government will consider adding "additional live sites" for fans to watch World Cup games in the city after backlash over the decision to show games on a big screen at the University of Canberra.
The bad news for fans who have flooded social media and online forums pleading for a Civic live site, is the government won't change its plans until the Socceroos progress through the group stage.
That's despite ACT Senate candidate Nick Tyrrell writing to Yvette Berry to declare a live site could be installed in the city centre by Saturday morning for "the cost of filling one pothole".
World Cup fever is gripping the capital after the Socceroos beat Turkey in their tournament opener last week, and huge numbers are expected to tune into a blockbuster showdown with the United States on Saturday morning.
The government struck a deal to extend trading hours for pubs and clubs, and have the University of Canberra as an indoor live site for the early parts of the tournament, like it has done for previous World Cups.
An ACT government spokesperson said the deal was made so "Canberrans can support local businesses and the Socceroos at the same time".
But after seeing more than 7000 fans watch the win against Turkey in Federation Square in Melbourne, Canberra fans are yearning for the excitement and atmosphere of an outdoor party in the city.
"Through my own calls over the last 24 hours, contacting well-regarded contractors who have previously done work for the ACT government, I am assured that audio-visual equipment and fencing could be installed in time for Saturday morning for around $15,000," Tyrrell wrote to Berry.
"I recognise the ACT government is in a dire fiscal position ... in this city, $15,000 would be about the cost of filling one pothole.
"A watch-site in Civic on Saturday morning would excite fans, show support to our Socceroos, and be a very welcome boost to economic activity in our city centre (which desperately needs any support it can get)."
The issue has been a hot topic on social media, lighting up comments sections with fans who want a better atmosphere than the one offered at the university.
"Canberrans, listen up," one user said on Instagram. "We watched Melbourne's Fed Square get their good old live site... we watched every state in Australia get their live site. Where is our live site?"
Another Canberra soccer fan declared on Instagram that "we want atmosphere".
More than 2000 Canberrans gathered to watch the Matildas play on the big screen three years ago and fans raved about the atmosphere when they gathered in the city to watch the Socceroos play against Argentina four years ago.
"Every football fan in Canberra wants to see another live event happen at Civic Square," he said.
Live sites for the World Cup have been a source of contention across Australia. The Victorian government overturned its decision to scrap Federation Square as a watch location after fury in the soccer community. More than 7000 fans watched the opening game last weekend.
At the other end of the spectrum, and in a city of a similar size to Canberra, officials in Newcastle haven't even offered an indoor live site as an option.
The University of Canberra Refectory has space for 1700 people and food and drinks available for purchase. The government has provided a list of other pubs and clubs that will be opening for the 5am match.
The good news for fans is the government will consider additional live sites if the Socceroos advance beyond their group, but not in time for the clash against the US.
"Consistent with previous World Cups, the ACT government has partnered with the University of Canberra to deliver a live site at the UC Refectory and has also extended trading hours for venues, pubs, and clubs so Canberrans can support local businesses and the Socceroos at the same time," a government spokesperson said.
"We are conscious that the match times and winter weather in Canberra will determine the best watch party options when the Socceroos advance from the group stage.
"The government is preparing for this and will provide an update on an additional site location as soon as the schedule for the Socceroos beyond the group stage is clear."
One commenter on Reddit agreed with the government's decision to keep watch parties indoors for the group stage, arguing that Canberra fans won't actually show up for Saturday's showdown. "It's cold and half the matches are at an ungodly hour," they said. " Big screens aren't free... the cost/benefit isn't there."
The Socceroos are in Group D at the World Cup. If they beat the US, they will advance to the next stage of the competition. If they lose, their fate could come down to the final group game against Paraguay on June 26.
