Oz game for SBS' latenight soccer

2.2. mil watch Socceroos lose to Italy in World Cup

By MICHAELA BOLAND

SYDNEY -- Pubcaster SBS achieved its second-biggest audience of all time Tuesday, when 2.2 million people tuned in to see Oz national team the Socceroos lose 1-0 to Italy in the World Cup Soccer tourney.

The ratings were even more amazing given that the match, played in Germany, aired between 1 and 2 a.m. local time.

It was the Aussie team's first-ever second-round appearance in the Cup.

The game ended at 3 a.m., but figures for viewers at this time will not be available until Wednesday as Oztam's ratings day ends at 2 a.m.

Australia's fifth-ranked foreign-language pubcaster is enjoying a dream run with the World Cup.

SBS' match between the Socceroos and Croatia was the second highest rated program on Aussie TV last week despite airing from 5 a.m.-7 a.m.

Program attracted just over 2 million viewers, possibly more given the propensity for people to watch the game from clubs and pubs.

The significant number of Croatian immigrants in Oz gave the game added poignancy.

The Socceroos qualified for the World Cup only once before, 32 years ago, when they were knocked out in the first round.

Seven Network's primetime reality doc series on border patrols of illegal activities, "Border Security," topped the week with 2.16 million viewers.

Auds will dip slightly now that the Socceroos are out of the tournament, but the sports-crazy nation with its huge migrant population should ensure auds for key matches remain above 1 million despite the unsociable hours.