Controversy is plaguing Wednesday's World Cup play-off second leg ties - the final hurdle of a 26-month qualifying campaign to determine the cast list for next year's finals in Germany.
The last five places of the 32-team competition are up for grabs and the tense build-up has been taking its toll.
The Swiss team were booed by Turkish supporters on their arrival in Istanbul, a Slovak player has accused FIFA of favouring Spain, a Uruguay player has said they have a divine right to play in the finals and their match against Australia will be tense anyway because of a history of controversy.
And the Australians are claiming a psychological edge over their Uruguayan rivals by enjoying the comforts of a charter flight home Monday from Montevideo.
The Uruguayan contingent arrived early Monday travelling in plain old economy class on a commercial flight two hours ahead of the Australian party, which flew home on a specially-chartered plane equipped with massage tables and medical staff.
The two-time World Cup-winning Uruguay are taking a 1-0 lead into the second leg at Sydney's Olympic stadium after Dario Rodriguez's first-half goal at Estadio Centenario on Saturday.
Football Federation Australia (FFA) chief executive John O'Neill said the Australian team's easier flight may prove decisive in their chances of ending a 32-year wait to qualify for next year's World Cup finals in Germany.
"I think it worked perfectly. Qantas should be congratulated -- the whole trip went unbelievably smoothly," O'Neill told reporters upon arrival at Sydney airport.
"The players were well rested and they'll be very well prepared for Wednesday night. The charter flight could really be the difference between Australia getting there and not getting there."
As well as the extra massage and video facilities, two doctors, a physiotherapist and massage expert accompanied the squad on the charter flight for the 11,865-kilometre (7,373-mile) journey.
Australian star striker Mark Viduka eyes the ball during a training session at the Stadium Australia in Sydney. Controversy is plaguing Wednesday's World Cup play-off second leg ties - the final hurdle of a 26-month qualifying campaign to determine the cast list for next year's finals in Germany
Australian star striker Mark Viduka eyes the ball during a training session at the Stadium Australia in Sydney. Controversy is plaguing Wednesday's World Cup play-off second leg ties - the final hurdle of a 26-month qualifying campaign to determine the cast list for next year's finals in Germany
Meanwhile Slovakian midfielder Miroslav Karhan accused football's world governing body FIFA of not wanting his country to qualify for the 2006 World Cup finals at the expense of Spain.
Spain thrashed Slovakia 5-1 in the first leg on Saturday and VfL Wolfsburg midfielder Miroslav Karhan claimed the result, and some dubious refereeing decisions, smacked of a conspiracy against Slovakia.
"FIFA does not want Slovakia at the World Cup," Karhan told the Wolfsburger Nachrichten. "Spain have more influence and would be a better guest in Germany. It is a disgrace and a catastrophe."
The Swiss team, who lead Turkey 2-0, only left Istanbul's Ataturk airport after a two-hour-and-a-half hour wait under police protection on Monday.
Television images on the CNN-Turk station also showed several dozen Turkish fans shouting insults at the players.
And the Anatolie press agency reported that airport personnel had even displayed a Turkish flag with the slogan "Welcome to Hell, 5-0."
The Turkish football federation has even made an official complaint on Monday about Swiss supporters whistling the Turkish national anthem in Bern on Saturday and about coach Fatih Terim having physical force used against him as he tried to get to a press conference.
Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky, who was injured in their 1-0 victory over Norway in Oslo on Saturday, is doubtful for Wednesday's return match in Prague.
Borussia Dortmund's Rosicky is suffering from ankle and knee injuries after being hit hard by the ball from a kick by Liverpool's John Arne Riise. "My injury has not got any better since Saturday although the doctor and physio have been trying to assure me," Rosicky said.
"Even if I don't play at all till Wednesday, I would love to play. This is not just another match."
Czech coach Karel Bruckner must already do without captain Tomas Galasek, suspended after receiving a second yellow card.
The other encounter is a finely-balanced affair concerning Bahrain against Trinidad and Tobago, who drew 1-1 in the first leg, with the return in the Middle East.
Wednesday's World Cup play-off 2nd legs (1st leg result in brackets)
At Prague
Czech Republic v Norway (1-0)
At Bratislava
Slovakia v Spain (1-5)
At Istanbul
Turkey v Switzerland (0-2)
At Sydney
australia v Uruguay (0-1)
At Manama
Bahrain v Trinidad and Tobago (1-1)