Last week Josh Kennedy entered into football folklore when he headed Australia into the 2014 World Cup. 16 years ago our national team was not so fortunate.
For those lucky enough not to be there, or even luckier; young enough to not remember, have a read. It will hopefully make qualification to Brazil last week that extra bit sweeter.
The night was a typical balmy night and the Socceroos entourage was in town. 16 years ago the Australian team was not as lucky as it is today with World Cup exposure or even an International friendly. This was going to be an event that one would remember for the rest of your life.
Australia came away with a 1-1 draw in the first-leg, with a young Harry Kewell announcing himself on the international stage.
Back to the ‘G’, there was a buzz about the ground that had never been experienced before, it was an eerie feeling.
There was a hush over the ground; people were nervous, anxious about what was going to take place over the next 90 minutes. Out came the players and all this lifted, spectators became an army of 85,000 fans urging our national team across the line to gain one place in France. This added to the experience dramatically, knowing that 31 nations had already booked their place, and only 90 minutes stood in our way of joining the football elite.
Supporters had a belief that Australia deserved to be on the football stage, after all, the Socceroos squad included some of the best names Australia had ever produced; Bosnich, Slater, Zelic, Kewell, Viduka and Arnold just to name a few. They also had master tactician, Englishman Terry Venables, behind their campaign, what could have gone wrong.
The team started well but failed to take their chances. Aurelio Vidmar probably had 3-4 early chances but he wasn’t alone. In the 47th minute, a Vidmar goal puts Australia 2-0 up, and the crowd went into a sense of jubilation. However, they were celebrating too early, but Australia was playing the better football and had the overwhelming support of the 85,000 crowd.
Supporters were dancing on the isles singing “We’re going to France, we’re going to France”. Looking back at this now, it was a little premature. Supporters firmly believed that they were going to France and nothing could have changed that.
Enter Peter ‘#&#$%’ Hore, the serial pest that has plagued many public events. Hore ran onto the ground and caused a six minute delay. This did not change the game but the momentum was lost, the crowd silenced and more importantly Iran had six minutes to stop and assess the situation.
Australia conceded two goals in a five minute period and it was the darkest hour for Australian supporters. Yes, Italy was heartbreaking, but this was something different. Australia had 15 minutes to find an equaliser, but it wasn’t going to be. Player fitness, injuries and whatever else started taking their toll, France merely became a country where the Eiffel Tower is located and not a place to fulfill Australian World Cup dreams.
As the final whistle blew, the Iranians were running around celebrating and the Aussies sat on the pitch lifeless. Supporters had an aura of silence, heartbreak and devastation.
The Socceroos managed to regroup and show the football world what they were capable of finishing second in the Confederations Cup.
One cannot imagine how the Australian dressing room must have felt that night. In 40 minutes they had gone to being ‘Heroes of a nation’ to just another group of footballers in this country who couldn’t get the job done. The legacy of 74′ would continue for another four years.
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