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As far as big-game specialists go, Mark Bresciano has surely thrust his name to the top of the Socceroos’ list.
Things tend to happen for the Socceroos when Bresciano is around.
His goal in 2005 against Uruguay helped Australia to a first World Cup finals appearance.
Or his cross to Harry Kewell for the equaliser against Croatia in 2006 which put the Socceroos into the World Cup round of 16.
His goal against Jordan last week started the Socceroos on the road to a pivotal victory.
And it was his invention as the clock ticked down on Tuesday night which landed a pinpoint cross on Josh Kennedy’s head to send Australia to Brazil.
The opposite is true too.
When Bresciano’s not around – think the 2-2 draw with Oman when he warmed the pine and Australia meandered – things don’t happen for the national team.
Bresciano admits the personal ups and downs of the campaign – and those of the team as qualification sat on a knife-edge – have made getting to Brazil even sweeter.
“We’ve worked so hard for it,” Bresciano told AAP.
“We’ve had maybe some hiccups on the way, but we’ve come together at the crucial time, and we got the results that we needed.
“Personally, I’m also very happy. I also went through a lot of rough times in this campaign.
“These are the games that I wait for.”
Since Bresciano returned to the national team fold after nearly two years following disappointment during the 2010 World Cup finals campaign, the 33-year-old has excelled when given the opportunity.
For reasons Bresciano admits he can’t understand, he was left out of the starting side for the Oman match in March and was brought on a substitute, only to injure his knee and miss several weeks of football.
He was restored to central midfield for the 1-1 draw with Japan a fortnight ago, and has played a vital role in both subsequent matches.
Now a third World Cup beckons for the United Arab Emirates-based Bresciano.
“It’s one of the best feelings you can have at the elite level,” he said.
“The World Cup is the maximum you can do as a footballer, and getting there again for the third time, it’s massive.”
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