Some 200-odd Sky Blues supporters made the trip down to be greeted by a typical Melbourne welcome of grey skies, bone-chilling rain and a wind so ferocious it made Antarctica seem like a sensible choice of holiday destination.
Many supporters saw flights delayed by the inclement weather, some were cancelled altogether, while others endured long waits on the tarmac as airports struggled to cope with a backlog of flights.
I should know: I was one of those fans, and watching the Sydney supporters from a distance as I made my way around AAMI Park, I began to think about what it is to be a football fan.
Many of my fondest memories share links to ‘the beautiful game.’
I’ve made countless friends thanks to a mutual passion for football, experienced cultures I might never have known had I not been introduced by the round-ball game, my wife and I even tied the knot during a memorable trip to the World Cup in 2006.
More poignant memories are also tinged by shades of football, and not a Socceroos game goes by when I don’t think of my dear, departed friend Nathan Zann – a childhood companion who taught me to value the intricacies of football – that tactics and playing styles are inherently important.
Occasionally I’m asked which A-League team I support, and the answer is obviously Sydney FC: a team I’ve followed since day one, and whom I continue to support despite no longer living in the city.
Some critics argue it’s impossible for journalists to remain objective should they pledge their allegiance to one club or another, but if I can borrow a thought from my writing idol Uli Hesse – a life-long Borussia Dortmund fan and a top bloke in my book – I’d say it’s perfectly normal for journalists to support one particular team.
This week more than most, football fans and journalists alike will keep their fingers crossed for a common cause – on Friday, FIFA will announce which country (or countries) will host the 2018 and 2022 World Cup.
I hope Australia wins its bid for a number of reasons.
The World Cup is a month-long party, it generates large sums of revenue, tourism will benefit and participation rates in the sport should increase exponentially.
But most of all, I hope we win hosting rights as a reward for all the genuine football fans out there.
They’re the ones who turn up rain, hail or shine in support of their team, often taking time off work and dipping into their savings to lend vocal support.
Whether it was in the National Soccer League or now in the A-League, in one of the many State leagues or even just supporting the national team, at one time or another millions of Australians have put their hands into their pockets to support football in this country.
And I’d love for those fans to enjoy the opportunity to meet like-minded supporters from all over the globe.
Indeed, I could think of nothing more enjoyable than showcasing the best this country has to offer to those who share a common passion for the round-ball game.
As such, I hope Australia wins the right to host the World Cup, even if my head tells me the United States ought to be considered favourites.
I’ve had so much fun, made so many friends and learned so much about this world we all share by watching football.
That’s the beauty of a truly global sport, one which tells us much about life and death and raw emotions, and it’s the pinnacle of this great game that I hope FIFA brings to Australia in 2022.
Aka
Guest
Well we've got well over 50k.
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
Ares I'm not so sure the Belgium/Netherlands bid will be favoured by FIFA. But I'll be back in Belgium within the next couple of years. Looking forward to catching up!
UK Steve
Guest
Its not about me wanting anything. Attendances show that Australia is not a soccer watching nation. Not sure whether the other candidates are either but until Australia has more than 50,000 approx passionate supporters then I don’t think you deserve a world cup.
Ares
Guest
Mike, what's the chance you come back to Belgium in 2018? What do you think, have Belgium & The Netherlands any chance? At least I hope I will come down in 2022.
Seungmin Lee
Guest
As a Korean football fan, who already had experience the madness of World Cup in 2002, I should warn my dearest friends in Australia for its side effect - though I support Australia's 2022 WC Bid. Just right after the WC 2002, K-League stadiums were filled out by the crowds who were impressed by Korean NT's performances in WC 2002. But it was the 'BUBBLE'. Soon most of them were find out their place in somewhere else rather than in the K-League stadiums for weekends. Even they became 'WC snobs' - If I can borrow the Mike's word, started to blame their own local teams for it's poor standards of game. Whenever Korean football shines in Club levels, they don't give any interest to the club again and soon they found the alternatives - The unbeatable.. sorry, 'a few beatable' Baseball. The sport fits perfectly to the Koreans taste cause it truly makes they are 'superior' to the most teams of the World.. Though there are not many countries in the world even 'know' what the sport is like. Anyway, regarding Australia use English as their native tongue unlike any other 'Asian' countries, it will be sure that there must be huge crowds but it can be hard to turn their minds to the A-League grounds. The turnover wasn't happened in Korean soil, but hope it will be done in Australia in near future.
jimbo
Roar Guru
Nice move AF - UK Steve is a Fopotscray fan - you can tell. :)
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
3 nil to Australia :)
mahony
Guest
Well done!
mahony
Guest
Big numbers - a real problem getting facilities in Victoria hough, so this will help.
mahony
Guest
I'll say - multiply these sorts of facilities around the country to help with the demand and we are on a roll. I know juniors is not a problem for us, but facilities are and to become the best footballing nation we can be, 1st class facilities will be central.
Midfielder
Guest
Sorry all the link for the song by Neil Diamond is ... Sing along especially the second verse.. we came to find the secret and we never let it go. And it was more than being holy and it was less than being free, And if you can’t recall the reason can you hear the people sing. through the lightning and the thunder to the dark side of the moon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aM-MBECuBoc&playnext=1&list=PLDAD2FDA679B80BC5&index=10
Australian Football
Roar Guru
Steve---Suppose you are putting it into some sort of Aussie Rules analogy like Footscray don't deserve to win a flag yet..?
Australian Football
Roar Guru
Sorry Mid, my computer struggles to view youtube links here on the Roar---so I don't open them anymore. (stop start stop start).. But thanks for the Dylan..
jimbo
Roar Guru
Why? we are ranked 20 in the world - that is among the top 32 nations in the world. So we are good enough to be there. Qatar is ranked 112. We have staged every major tournament there is - except a football WC. Why do you keep going on about this. If you truly love football and truly love Australia - give me one valid reason why you wouldn't want a WC here?
jimbo
Roar Guru
The right answer Mike. :)
Ringo Parsons
Guest
UK Steve your wrong I think an Aussie World Cup would be amazing there would be no problem with selling tickets and would come at the right time for the sport in the country, there is no definitive time or position needed to host a World Cup, as I can see no one in a better place than us (England) and that sadly wont happen. The only negative is the insular view of the other codes in Oz none of whom can see the world outside of Sydney or Melbourne, It would be a disgrace if the Yanks got it again and after that under ground in Oman no thanks good luck Oz
punter
Guest
Yes we get it Aussie rules Steve, you don't want the WC in Australia, there is a expansion team in the Gold Coast & somewhere West of Sydney for you to discuss.
UK Steve
Guest
No problem Jimbo. Just pointing out why Australia don't deserve a world cup - yet.
UK Steve
Guest
Amazing how they know how many people are going to watch it. Wonder if they can tell me the score as well so I can go and put a bet on.
Joe T
Roar Rookie
Fantastic article Mike and some great posts by some of the readers. It's nice to know I'm among company who share the same passion for Australia and for the Socceroos. The emotion on Thursday (CET time) will be overwhelming. I could be cheering, screaming, crying or maybe all 3. God I hope we get this.