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Qualifying for 1974 was one of the best moments in Socceroos history – even if many fans today weren’t even born when it happened.
When the late Jimmy Mackay lashed home a long-range strike against South Korea in the neutral confines of Hong Kong in November 1973, few could have predicted the impact it would have on Australian sport.
Hitherto a nation mostly known for its showdowns with a long-time colonial master and the scattered collection of countries that make up the Commonwealth, suddenly Australia found itself part of the wider world.
More specifically, it was part of the biggest sporting tournament on the planet. And the story of how the Socceroos qualified for the showpiece event in West Germany is every bit as compelling as their performances once they got there.
It started with a combined six-game Oceania and Asian group stage featuring New Zealand, Iraq and Indonesia – and an opening 1-1 draw with the All Whites made clear the collection of opponents was anything but a pushover.
But after finishing top of the group, the Socceroos then booked a two-legged showdown with Iran for the next leg of their convoluted qualification campaign.
A 3-0 win at a packed Sydney Sports Ground in August 1973 ensured qualification was within their grasp, with tough-as-teak defender Peter Wilson nodding home the third with only five minutes remaining.
It was to prove a vital goal, as the Iranians besieged goalkeeper Jim Fraser’s goal in the return leg in Tehran, scoring two early goals and whipping the fanatical home crowd into a frenzy.
Somehow the Socceroos held on – thanks in no small part to the motivational tactics of their enigmatic coach, Rale Rasic.
The then 37-year-old Yugoslav migrant might have been little known outside the football fraternity, but these days he’s a living legend who thoroughly deserves his place in the pantheon of Socceroos greats.
He also happens to possess the greatest private collection of Socceroos memorabilia of anyone in the world. Time to get cracking on that museum, Football Federation Australia.
The Socceroos’ reward for seeing off Iran by the slimmest of margins was a two-legged date with South Korea.
And the battle-hardened Koreans – many of whom had trained for years as part of the republic’s military regime – were in no mood to give up without a fight.
A hard-fought scoreless draw in Sydney was followed by a 2-2 draw in Seoul a fortnight later.
There was no away goals rule back then, so a hastily arranged tiebreaking game was convened in Hong Kong three days later.
It was the last roll of the dice for Rasic and his men, against a South Korea that wouldn’t qualify for a second tournament themselves until 1986.
And it was in Hong Kong that the Scottish-born Mackay wrote himself into the history books with a 30-yard piledriver that rocketed into the top corner.
It meant the Socceroos had qualified for the tenth edition of football’s biggest event, hosted this time around by West Germany.
And, wouldn’t you know it, the Socceroos were predictably drawn in one of the toughest groups imaginable – facing East Germany, hosts West Germany, and Chile.
Results were nothing to write home about – a 2-0 defeat to the East Germans was followed by a 3-0 loss to a powerful West German side that went on to win the tournament in a classic final against the Netherlands in Munich.
What else would you expect from a team of part-timers and semi-pros coming up against some of the finest footballers in the world?
When the Socceroos ultimately held Chile to a scoreless draw in West Berlin – the political enclave surrounded on all sides by socialist East Germany – they registered Australia’s first ever point at the tournament.
But they did so much more than that.
By just qualifying, they opened up the rest of the world to a rapidly modernising Australia.
And by melding together a squad from a variety of multicultural backgrounds, they helped usher in a new era for a national team that came to represent all Australians – no matter their particular background.
Reaching the 1974 tournament was a monumental achievement. Its significance may not have been widely understood at the time, but it is now.
Today’s team owes a debt of gratitude to Rale Rasic and his trailblazing team.
And so do we.
As we count down the greatest moments in Socceroos history, we want you to tell us what your favourites are. Have your say in the picker below!
Check out the rest of the countdown:
10. Australia’s performances – and Tim Cahill’s goal – in 2014
9. When we almost qualified for USA 94
8. Charlie Yankos’ stunning free-kick against Argentina
7. Beating France and Brazil in 2001
6. England 3, Australia 1: Beating the Poms in their own backyard
5. Knocking Croatia out of Germany in the craziest game in Australian history
4. Australia’s historic 3-1 win over Japan in Kaiserslautern
3. Making our debut on the world stage in 1974
2. Winning the Asian Cup in Australia
1. John Aloisi’s penalty
The Australian men’s football team is sure to produce some more memorable moments in Russia this year. Catch all the action in the best way possible by coming together with your friends and family and watching it on an epic big screen Samsung QLED TV. Explore the big-screen range.
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