November 16, 2005. Today's the day; nerves run through my body. Surely, surely this time. We board the train and the discussion comes down to result predictions. Everybody predicts the hosts, of course, but I’m more cautious.

We’re 1-0 down from the first-leg. If we do it it’s going to be penalties. It’s been 32 years, but surely today is going to be the day Australia qualify for the World Cup Finals again.

It’s funny how emotion can change your view of a football match. In reality this game wasn’t that great. Australia scored off a scrappy goal and Uruguay were pretty ordinary. None of us cared though. It had taken 32 years, but the Socceroos were back and in the most dramatic fashion. The match was a real midfield battle and Australia managed to come out on top.

'The match was a real midfield battle and Australia managed to come out on top'


The atmosphere was perhaps the most incredible ever experienced in Australia. A full stadium and they were all singing and chanting, hardly anyone was sitting down at all. The crowd was so passionate and so excited that when the Socceroos came out in sky-blue training kit, they were booed as the fans thought it was Uruguay!

The crowd was on edge the whole match, and finally it happened. Harry Kewell was brought on early and with almost his first touch he completely messed up a shot. But by sheer luck the ball fell to Mark Bresciano who scored. The tie was level at 1-1. My prediction was looking shaky.

The game just seemed to drag on for an eternity. The whole crowd was on edge as Uruguay did everything they could to pull the goal back. Maybe it was the difficult flight from Uruguay, but they just seemed unable to finish, and Mark Schwarzer was having the game of his life.

With an aggregate score of 1-1 the game went into extra time and still neither side to snatch the initiative. It was penalties; the nerves are  over-powering.

Kewell stepped up first and scored, and Australia were given a boost thanks to a Schwarzer save. They traded the next two penalties, then skipper Mark Viduka stepped up - and missed.

The collective groan of 83 000 people filled the stadium. Surely it wasn't going to end this way, so close but we’ve blown it again. Every time we get closer and every year we blow it, but we’re still in front though.

Then Schwarzer makes another incredible save from Marcelo Zalayeta, reaching up as the ball was just about to go over his head. If Australia score witt the next penalty they’re through to the World Cup.

It’s John Aloisi. My friend next to me can’t even watch. Aloisi steps up slowly, he places the ball on the spot and slowly paces back, then runs up and hits it. YES! IT’S IN! Australia are through to the World Cup Finals.

To the neutral this wouldn’t have been that great a match but for an Australian who’s never seen this, it was the best game of our lives.