- Jan 13, 2004
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- Harry's Heroes
Iran - 1st leg. Watched it late at night at my friends house. Was the first time I'd ever seen Kewell play.
I dont remember terribly much about the first leg. From memory we killed them early until Kewell scored and then it was even for the rest of the match. Remember going crazy in the lounge room when Kewell scored. Bosnich made some amazing saves.
Thought at the time 1-1 was a fair result.
2nd leg - the ultimate sporting nightmare. Ironically enough the last time I'd been at the MCG before this game was for the 1997 preliminary final, where my team lost in pretty much the same way Australia did this night.
Anyway, I was in the top deck of the Great Southern Stand with my Dad and a few of his mates. I remember the National Anthem being sung with gusto - spine-tingling moment, simply amazing.
Moments that stood out are the obvious ones - agonisingly watching chance after chance go begging in our 1st half onslaught, the huge roar and going nuts when Harry scored our first, ditto with Aurelio just after half time, that ******** Peter Hore racing onto the field and stopping play. After this i thought it was obvious we wouldnt score - thought we should've stacked the defence and shored it up.
Felt sick after Iran scored their fast. Felt like crying after they scored the 2nd. And when that whistle blew, I just sat there - stunned. It was the worst feeling walking out of that ground - 90,000 fanatical Aussies walking out in stunned silence.
Outside the ground people were crying and just devastated. Awful night. Just awful.
Uruguay - 1st leg. I was on the wing, 2nd deck of the Southern Stand with my friends.
The crowd seemed louder and bigger than the Iran one. Was a tight contest throughout, was certain that we'd have to settle for a 0-0 until we got that penalty. The moment between the penalty being awarded and Muscat taking it was a very painful minute. I almost couldnt look as he ran in to take it - but I did, and when it hit the net, pure joy. Loudest roar I've ever heard, just eclipsing the one a minute earlier when the penalty was awarded. Was huggin people in the row in front of me, behind me, beside me, amazing.
2nd leg - dont think I've ever been more awake at 6am on a monday than this morning. Was up at 5 pacing round the house, waiting for it to start.
Knew we'd be up against from the moment I saw the Uruguay crowd on TV. I knew we'd be intimidated, but was sure that we could hold firm.
That first goal made me so angry = a lazy long ball over the top that most defenses should be able to clear with ease, instead we get completely caught out and the tie is level just like that. What really made me angry was Farina, being the tactical genius that he was, had said in the build-up he knew Uruguay liked to play the long ball, yet we didnt have clue in how to deal with them. The defense should not have been allowed to push up so far if we knew that they were playing the long ball. But thats what happens when Farina's in charge!
The first half was unbearable. they simply murdered us, chance after chance and somehow we survived until half time.
Then after half time we start to show a bit. I was bemused at Farina's tactics - in the first leg he moved kewell to the left and Agostino up front and hey presto, thats how we got our goal! Instead he leaves Kewell up front and agostino on the bench when we need a goal desperately.
How Viduka missed that header from the throw-in, 2 yards out, is something that I still cant figure out. That was our chance.
When Urguay got their 2nd I knew we were done for. Even though if we scored one we could go through on away goals I knew that we were done for. Farina made the move of Kewell to the left and bough on about 3 more strikers looking for the away goal. no surprise we got caught out at the back again for the 3rd. When that 3rd goal went in I just shook my head. Four years of waiting and we blow it again. Just too heartbreaking.
The two coaches (Venables and Farina) must take a lot of blame for the respective losses, obviously. Venables should have acted to shut Iran out when it was obvious that we werent going to score again. Farina, in the 2nd leg, used very poor tactics at both ends and we got shown up for it.
Another World Cup Qualifier this year coming in sydney. Despite the pain of the past two and the very real possibility I'll be let down again, I will be there - you just dont want to miss the party when we finall make it the World Cup.
I dont remember terribly much about the first leg. From memory we killed them early until Kewell scored and then it was even for the rest of the match. Remember going crazy in the lounge room when Kewell scored. Bosnich made some amazing saves.
Thought at the time 1-1 was a fair result.
2nd leg - the ultimate sporting nightmare. Ironically enough the last time I'd been at the MCG before this game was for the 1997 preliminary final, where my team lost in pretty much the same way Australia did this night.
Anyway, I was in the top deck of the Great Southern Stand with my Dad and a few of his mates. I remember the National Anthem being sung with gusto - spine-tingling moment, simply amazing.
Moments that stood out are the obvious ones - agonisingly watching chance after chance go begging in our 1st half onslaught, the huge roar and going nuts when Harry scored our first, ditto with Aurelio just after half time, that ******** Peter Hore racing onto the field and stopping play. After this i thought it was obvious we wouldnt score - thought we should've stacked the defence and shored it up.
Felt sick after Iran scored their fast. Felt like crying after they scored the 2nd. And when that whistle blew, I just sat there - stunned. It was the worst feeling walking out of that ground - 90,000 fanatical Aussies walking out in stunned silence.
Outside the ground people were crying and just devastated. Awful night. Just awful.
Uruguay - 1st leg. I was on the wing, 2nd deck of the Southern Stand with my friends.
The crowd seemed louder and bigger than the Iran one. Was a tight contest throughout, was certain that we'd have to settle for a 0-0 until we got that penalty. The moment between the penalty being awarded and Muscat taking it was a very painful minute. I almost couldnt look as he ran in to take it - but I did, and when it hit the net, pure joy. Loudest roar I've ever heard, just eclipsing the one a minute earlier when the penalty was awarded. Was huggin people in the row in front of me, behind me, beside me, amazing.
2nd leg - dont think I've ever been more awake at 6am on a monday than this morning. Was up at 5 pacing round the house, waiting for it to start.
Knew we'd be up against from the moment I saw the Uruguay crowd on TV. I knew we'd be intimidated, but was sure that we could hold firm.
That first goal made me so angry = a lazy long ball over the top that most defenses should be able to clear with ease, instead we get completely caught out and the tie is level just like that. What really made me angry was Farina, being the tactical genius that he was, had said in the build-up he knew Uruguay liked to play the long ball, yet we didnt have clue in how to deal with them. The defense should not have been allowed to push up so far if we knew that they were playing the long ball. But thats what happens when Farina's in charge!
The first half was unbearable. they simply murdered us, chance after chance and somehow we survived until half time.
Then after half time we start to show a bit. I was bemused at Farina's tactics - in the first leg he moved kewell to the left and Agostino up front and hey presto, thats how we got our goal! Instead he leaves Kewell up front and agostino on the bench when we need a goal desperately.
How Viduka missed that header from the throw-in, 2 yards out, is something that I still cant figure out. That was our chance.
When Urguay got their 2nd I knew we were done for. Even though if we scored one we could go through on away goals I knew that we were done for. Farina made the move of Kewell to the left and bough on about 3 more strikers looking for the away goal. no surprise we got caught out at the back again for the 3rd. When that 3rd goal went in I just shook my head. Four years of waiting and we blow it again. Just too heartbreaking.
The two coaches (Venables and Farina) must take a lot of blame for the respective losses, obviously. Venables should have acted to shut Iran out when it was obvious that we werent going to score again. Farina, in the 2nd leg, used very poor tactics at both ends and we got shown up for it.
Another World Cup Qualifier this year coming in sydney. Despite the pain of the past two and the very real possibility I'll be let down again, I will be there - you just dont want to miss the party when we finall make it the World Cup.