What the World Cup can bring to a nation
Roar Rookie By Davstar, 30 May 2010 Davstar is a Roar Rookie
- Tagged:
- 2006 World Cup, 2010 World Cup, Croatia, football, Harry Kewell, Italy, John Aloisi, Socceroos
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Australia's Harry Kewell, center, is cheered by teammates after he scored their side's second goal during the Croatia v Australia match at the World Cup Gottlieb-Daimler stadium in Stuttgart, Germany, Thursday, June 22, 2006. AP Photo/Winfried Rothermel
The World Cup might be just around the corner, but I think it is time we spend a moment looking back four years ago to the events of Germany 2006.
I remember when John Aloisi scored the penalty against Uruguay six months earlier as the whole nation came alive. It didn’t matter who you were that night; we were all Australian and for one moment multiculturalism didn’t exist as we were all brothers and sisters of the greatest nation in the world.
I remember seeing Federation Square in Melbourne packed with people rejoicing, brothers in arms – no fighting, just united as Australians celebrated the Socceroos first win in a World Cup against Japan.
I remember when the nation’s heart sunk when Croatia scored within minutes of the decisive group match and the people who stereotyped by saying “Australians are no good at football”. I remember the feeling that we will never come back from this.
Of course I remember when Harry Kewell scored and the world watched in disbelief as the mighty Croatians were sent home early.
I remember three yellow cards for Simunic, the man who had turned his back on Australia after being trained by the AIS.
I remember Italy and the heartbreak of the controversial penalty that we all suffered together, when the round ball hit the back of the net.
I remember Australia showing the world true Aussie spirit and that we can play football.
I’m proud of our Socceroos, and it has been four years since and we’re back to show the world we can defy the odds again.
I wish the Socceroos all the luck in South Africa and I will always remember how they united the nation together.
It shouldn’t matter what code you follow or your background, if you call Australia your home then join us in supporting the Socceroos at this World Cup.
I remember these things because I’m an Australian and I shall never forget.
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The Crowd Says (10) | Page 1 of Comments
Have Your Say
- Explore:
- 2006 World Cup, 2010 World Cup, Croatia, football, Harry Kewell, Italy, John Aloisi, Socceroos
May 30th 2010 @ 12:28am
Alders said | May 30th 2010 @ 12:28am | Report comment
I must admit the late night audiences are more impressive though.
May 30th 2010 @ 12:43am
Midfielder said | May 30th 2010 @ 12:43am | Report comment
Das
Mate I am off to bed …. and in Fiji next week .. I am so much to say but have to leave it … hope it gets great ..
Das I was there the night we made the WC in 2005… what can I say … the crowd that night was not the 12th man it was and entire other team… in an all seat stadium no one sat … Johnny had said sent the football family there and JOH to his great credit sent offers to players and coaches in park clubs.. we all had mud on our boots… we all went in groups… we knew all the songs … we belted ot Advance Australia like a war cry … we screamed we yelled we lived every second .. have no idea if this came tho on TV.. when the goal went in the crowds reaction was difficult to explain .. we all stood on the seats belted out we come from the land down under no-one would leave the ground the PA guy pleading with people to leave over an hour after the game over 80% of the crowd we still in the stadium… mate I got hugged and kissed by everyone around me .. our little band never went to sleep we went to a pub and got totally pissed and sung songs.. went to work stinking of BO and beer and JD but we each made a pledge to wear the shirt the next day if we won … my clients forgave me ….
Das mate excellent article mate .. hope the studies and singing are going welll… will post more latter .. she who must be obyed keeps telling me the Taxi is coming at 5 so get some sleep .. off for now … go the Socceroos…
May 30th 2010 @ 7:08am
Hombre said | May 30th 2010 @ 7:08am | Report comment
NZ 1 Serbia 0 …. now there’s a result to make the other teams in the kiwis group take notice
May 30th 2010 @ 9:05am
MV Dave said | May 30th 2010 @ 9:05am | Report comment
Good work Davstar. l remember being at Fed Square with 12,000 others when the Socceroos beat Uruguay to qualify…amazing and never thought things could get better…then watching Japan vs Socceroos at home. The last 10 minutes were surreal as we danced around the lounge when the goals went in. Same vs Croatia as Kewell netted with minutes remaining. Then Italy…went with family and friends to Fed Square arriving about midnight to find we were locked out with a noisy 12,000 already inside! We were shunted down to Birrarung Marr? along the Yarra where another 10,000 (Police estimate) gathered. It was after 1am when the game started and it was June and freezing…simply amazing support for the team. Disappointed that Fed Square wont be available this time…why not open the new AAMI Park, charge $5 and allow people to sit in relative comfort to watch the games?
Having attended the Socceroos WC qualifyers in 1985 at Olympic Park vs Scotland with 35,000 shoe horned in and 19972001 vs Iran/Uruguay at the MCG it has certainly been worth the wait…getting excited just thinking about it.
May 30th 2010 @ 9:10am
punter said | May 30th 2010 @ 9:10am | Report comment
Davestar, ahhh the memories & we will get it all again in 2 weeks.
While last time we didn’t expect much & got alot, this time some expect alot, & it will be interesting to see what we get.
In previous world cups prior to WC06, it’s been great watching the greatest footballers in the world strut their stuff. Now we get to still watch the greatest footballers playing the greatest game in the greatest sporting event in the world & with iceing on the cake, we get to ride the wild emotion of having our national team competing on the world highest stage.
May 30th 2010 @ 5:07pm
Galloping Guru said | May 30th 2010 @ 5:07pm | Report comment
I struggle to find enough superlatives, so i will just repeat the ones from the above post,
* greatest footballers playing the greatest game in the greatest sporting event on the world highest stage
May 30th 2010 @ 5:18pm
Alders said | May 30th 2010 @ 5:18pm | Report comment
I love superlatives.
May 30th 2010 @ 5:48pm
punter said | May 30th 2010 @ 5:48pm | Report comment
Glad we can agree finally on something.
May 31st 2010 @ 1:54pm
Greg said | May 31st 2010 @ 1:54pm | Report comment
Good stuff Dav, lets hope this WC gives us some more great memories! We all enjoyed ’06
June 9th 2010 @ 10:31am
mahony said | June 9th 2010 @ 10:31am | Report comment
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/world-cup-2010/australia-firms-for-2022-world-cup/story-fn4l4sip-1225877288810
The comments fron The Keiser are particularly heartening…. Cue the egg-ball nay sayers…..