Is it an omen? A bad one at that? On June 26, 2006, the Socceroos were denied a quarter-final berth at the World Cup by a penalty which, let’s face it, wasn’t really a penalty.
Now, on June 26, 2018, Australia must beat Peru if they want to go back to the Round of 16 for the first time since that fateful day.
In their first World Cup since 1972, the Socceroos put in brave performances to get out of Group F, scoring their first World Cup goal (then following it up with four more across their remaining games) and earning plenty of respect from the rest of the footballing world.
After beating Japan 3-1, they lost 2-0 to Brazil and drew 2-all with Croatia, allowing them to advance to the Round of 16, with the game set for a sold out crowd in Kaiserslautern on a Monday afternoon.
Italy, who went on to win the World Cup when they beat France in the final, struggled to get past the Socceroos for the whole of the 90 minutes with the Australian defence holding firm.
But they eventually did. In injury time. And jeez did it hurt Australian supporters, who still talk about it to this day.
An attacking raid down the left-hand side of the pitch saw Fabio Grosso move into the penalty area. Socceroos defender Lucas Neill made contact with the Italian striker and referee Luis Medina Cantalejo of Spain sunk the Aussies, pointing straight to the spot.
Francesco Totti then drove the ball into the top left corner of the net, sending Italy through to the quarter-finals of the tournament without the need for extra time.
(John Macdougall/AFP/Getty Images)
Mark Schwarzer, who had saved penalties to get Australia to the World Cup in their 2005 play-off game against Uruguay at Homebush, went the right way, but simply couldn’t reach the well-taken shot.
The Australian squad was maybe the best the nation has ever sent out. Schwarzer at the back, Neill, Brett Emerton, a young Tim Cahill, John Aloisi, skipper Mark Viduka, Mark Bresciano and of course Harry Kewell made the journey possible for the Socceroos, but it was a heart-breaking end.
Now, on the same day 12 years later, Australia take on Peru, needing not only to win, but for other results to go their way.
If that happens, they will return to the knockout stages of the World Cup for just the second time in their history.
They have a different squad, a different coach and a different administration. The national league is no longer a laughing stock and football is taken seriously in this country, but there is still the same pressure on the Socceroos and their World Cup squad to produce a good performance.
To unite a nation and to make them believe in the team representing them.
This is the biggest game for Australia since that day and put simply, to keep football on the map in this country, the Socceroos must put in big performances at the World Cup.
They showed what they are capable of against Denmark, despite not being able to get over the line, but now there are no more chances. It’s win or go home.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of Australia’s crucial match against Peru from 12am (AEST) this evening as they try to reverse the result of their July 26, 2006, match.
Even though St.Pauli ultimately lost a high-scoring affair, Jackson Irvine was a standout, as well as scoring a late goal.
What if we celebrated all of the achievements big and small, and weeded out those hell-bent on bringing down a game that is doing a hell of a lot right?
A good performance from Michael Ruhs, scoring twice to beat Macarthur and doubling his season goal tally in the process.
Nestory Irankunda has sensationally rejected the chance to play at the Paris Olympics this June after a late bid from the Olyroos to include…
Mathew Ryan's tenure at AZ Alkmaar appears to be over, as the Eredivisie side are seemingly moving on from the 93-time Socceroo. The decision…
One down 49 to go. Socceroos striker Kusini Yengi raised some eyebrows this week when he declared himself to be the talisman striker the…
