Sleepless Socceroos fans sense WC history

Anyone thinking a 2am (AEDT) kick-off would deter fans from cheering on the Socceroos clearly aren't familiar with the dedication of Antipodean football tragics.

In a last-minute intervention, pubs and clubs in NSW and WA will be allowed to stay open until 5am for Australia's crucial final Group D match against Denmark.

If results go their way, the Socceroos will reach the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in 16 years.

Since Germany 2006, the Socceroos' first World Cup appearance in 32 years, nail-biting all-nighters cheering on the green and gold have been a rite of passage for fans like Tom Zwar.

"That was probably the first time my parents let me stay up past midnight, especially on a school night it was unheard of," Mr Zwar, now 26, told AAP.

"But it's just something you have to do, even if you're a bit groggy the next day, you just have to cop it because it's the World Cup.

"It just means so much and it only comes around once every four years."

Unlike Melbourne's Federation Square, where scenes of wild jubilation have gone viral, Sydney lacks a central public viewing site for Socceroos games.

It means fans instead have had to pack into pubs, clubs and even cinemas.

Mr Zwar watched Australia's thrilling 1-0 win over Tunisia on Saturday night at a packed-out pub in Sydney's inner-west.

"When Mitch Duke turned in that header it was just unbelievable," he said.

"I found myself embracing three blokes I'd never met in my life; it was sheer euphoria.

"Just everybody there for the same purpose; cheering every kick, every tackle, feeling the same highs and lows of emotion. You can't top that."

The Lord Gladstone in inner Sydney is one of many NSW pubs taking advantage of extended trading hours.

Publican Benny Johnson is a diehard Socceroos fan and wouldn't begrudge his patrons for getting carried away if the team reach the last 16.

"I reckon the over-under for furniture broken if we get through to the round of 16 is two tables," Mr Johnson told AAP.

"There's a very small amount of times and causes, like international sporting history, that you just let a few things fly that you wouldn't normally let fly.

"If Australia get through to the next round there'll be a 15-minute grace period where people can lose their shit and I'm not going to get too upset."

Although he is looking forward to cheering on the Socceroos against Denmark at another packed pub, Mr Zwar can't help but feel aggrieved that Sydney can't offer the same fan experience as Melbourne.

"I'm sick of Melbourne always claiming to be Australia's sporting capital. People are just as passionate here and we need the government to play ball too," he said.