Devine Might
By: Chris
Rose
Dreams
do come true!
Australia last Wednesday night played with power and aggression to clinch a spot in the
World Cup Finals. The crowd of 82,698 went into delirium as John Aloisi ended Australia’s 32-year drought.
With
the aggregate score locked at 1-1, the fate of two nations was to be decided in a penalty shoot out. The heroics of keeper
Mark Schwarzer will long be remembered in Australian sport, as his two saves in the penalty shoot-out allowed Aloisi to seal
the victory. The Australian players chased Aloisi, after his perfect penalty, down the sideline to kick off celebrations that
will be replayed for generations to come.
The game
was tightly contested during the first 30min, in a game ultimately dominated by Australia. Alvaro Recoba teased the Australian defence and left the crowd on the edge of their seats with his now
famous set pieces. The magic however was of a tactical nature, as Austrailan Coach Guus Hiddink replaced defender Tony Popovic
with the more attack minded Harry Kewell. This masterstroke had an immediate effect on the game. On 32 minutes, Kewell combined
with Tim Cahill and Captain Mark Viduka in a slick passing movement which lead to Marco Bresciano blasting the ball into the
net.
The stage
was set for the Socceroos to press for that magical second ‘home’ goal. Uruguay often looked tired and stretched against a rampant Australian side. The biggest threat on Australia’s goal was through the set pieces, as the defence looked disorganised in crucial moments. Richard
Morales failed to make Australia pay for their lapses, when in the 50th min his free header bounced
over the goal.
As Australia piled on the pressure, Bresciano came close to netting his second when Viduka nodded down a pass from
Culina and the midfielder blasted his shot just over the bar in the 56th minute
With
chances few and far between, the Uruguayan’s were relying on a mistake. Australia pressed with flair and skill. Harry Kewell mesmerised the right side defence of Uruguay. With the boisterous home crowd behind their every movement, Australia
pressed for that second goal that did not come.
The crowd
could sense that victory would come, when Uruguay substituted talisman
Recoba in the 73rd min. the loss of Captain Paolo Montero to a suspected calf strain, showed that the visitors
were tiring.
Kewell
came close to finishing off the game when he shot just over in the 83rd minute. On is weaker right boot he shot
just wide of goal. With the relentless pressure the Uruguayan’s held on. The game entered extra time.
Two substitutions
in extra time gave Australia a new attacking shape. John Aloisi and Josip Skoko added new life to the attack
of the now exhausted Australian team.
However,
what could only be seen as ironic for long-suffering fans, the game went into penalties. The first time a team would qualify
for the World Cup through penalties.
Goalkeeper
Mark Schwarzer was the hero in the penalty shootout when he made saves from Dario Rodriguez and Marcelo Zalayeta to allow
John Aloisi the chance to fire Australia into
the World Cup finals. In 3 seconds of heart stopping anticipation, the ball hit the net. Destiny 06 was fulfilled.
Scenes that
no Australian will ever forget.
