Monday Milestone: Johnny from the Spot

“Johnny Warren, we’ve done it!”
 – ‘Impartial’ Australian commentator Craig Foster in the moments after John Aloisi’s penalty goal against Uruguay

2005, November 16
The Socceroos qualify for their first World Cup in 32 years

Do you remember where you were when John Aloisi walked towards the penalty spot in the 2006 World Cup qualifier in Sydney? Here at the Milestone, along with an entire new football generation, we sat on the edge of our seat. The whole two-leg tie had been building to this moment. Uruguay’s earlier 1-0 victory in Montevideo, evoking memories of four years prior had been equalised by Marco Bresciano’s first half goal. When extra time had followed, and still there was no decider, a shootout was required and this was the closest Australia had been to the World Cup in three decades. I can only imagine Johnny Warren would have been beside himself. The godfather of Australian football had cruelly passed away only ten days earlier. He’d dreamt of this moment, through all the heartache, and the struggles of football in Australia. Tears had flowed freely as the Socceroos made it clear that should they qualify and fulfil his lifelong dream, this would be in his honour.

 As during his life, qualification had been among the most arduous and heartbreaking in sport. As part of the Oceania confederation, Australia had made an art-form of snatching agonising disappointment at the final hurdle each time they’d gotten close to the World Cup.

 In 1993, a spirited 1-0 loss to Argentina impressed Diego Maradona, yet still denied the Socceroos. Not to mention 1997, as the Socceroos, led Iran 3-1 on aggregate into the closing half of the tie when inexplicably the Iranians scored twice in the final minutes to draw the leg and progress on the away goal rule. And of course when the Socceroos headed to Montevideo in 2001, leading 1-0 after victory in Melbourne with a sense that this was their time. Dario Silva and a 3-0 Uruguayan victory suggested otherwise. Australia was denied once again.

So, straining beneath the weight of that history, anxiety was red-lining and the tension was indescribable as the shootout began for a place in the World Cup.  Flags waved frantically around Stadium Australia in a sea of gold. Australian coach Guus Hiddick furrowed his brow. The Uruguayan squad stood united, arm in arm. When Mark Viduka unbelievably pushed his penalty wide, the shootout reached a new criticality. But then, incredibly, the big sweeping hand of Mark Schwarzer denied Uruguay’s Zalayeta, in a moment as big as Australian football had seen. The Socceroos led 4-2 and suddenly John Aloisi was striding to the penalty spot with the knowledge that his penalty past Fabian Carini would be enough.

That strike is now part of Australian football legend. Sending the ball into the top right corner and into immortality, the stadium erupted. John Aloisi ran screaming around the sidelines waving his Socceroos jersey to a capacity crowd. The wait had been long, but Australian football was off to the World Cup. Somewhere, I’m sure Johnny Warren smiled. Did you?

 
The Milestone Five: Pivotal moments in Australian football

1. John Aloisi’s penalty kick against Uruguay in 2005 qualifies Australia for their first World Cup appearance in 32 years.
2. Harry Kewell’s equaliser against Croatia during the 2006 World Cup, progresses the Socceroos in their first campaign in 32 years through to the last sixteen.
3. Tim Cahill scores twice in eight minutes in the 2006 World Cup opener against Japan, the first World Cup goals from Australia ever.
4. A 2-2 draw with Iran 1997, builds the theatre behind the World Cup qualifying campaign eight years later.
5. The first club game of football in Australia is played in Hobart in 1879 when the Cricketers Football Club play New Town FC.

 

With thanks to Ezra Shaw/Getty Images for the photo