From green-and-gold classroom watch parties and ghost-town offices to packed pubs and watch sites, Melbourne is grinding to a halt this Friday for the Socceroos’ midday showdown.

From green-and-gold classroom watch parties and ghost-town offices to packed pubs and watch sites, Melbourne is grinding to a halt this Friday for the Socceroos’ midday showdown.

Live sites, pubs and parks are expecting hordes of Sydneysiders to brave the rain on Friday as the city tunes in to Australia’s final group-stage game at noon.