South Australia’s first FIFA World Cup Socceroo Steve Herczeg passed away in Adelaide on Monday
SOUTH Australia’s first FIFA World Cup qualifying Socceroo Steve Herczeg passed away in Adelaide on Monday.
SOUTH Australia’s first FIFA World Cup qualifying Socceroo Steve Herczeg passed away in Adelaide on Monday.
Herczeg’s son Steve said his father had never lost his upbeat spirit despite suffering from health issues in his later years before he died.
“Dad passed away from cardiac arrest,’’ Steve said.
“He finally got a bit of (soccer) recognition and I think it lifted his spirits no end.
“All through it though he still showed signs of his sharp wit and humour, and never lost the love he had for all three of his sons and his grand kids.”
But Herczeg (senior), 72, made history in 1965 when he was called up for Australia’s first ever World Cup qualifiers which started with a six week long camp in Cairns earning him £60, the Australian currency of the day.
Herczeg was part of a 20-man squad which faced North Korea — twice — losing 9-2 on aggregate in Cambodia for a spot at the 1966 FIFA World Cup.
“South Korea and North Korea were at war at the time,’’ Herczeg, who was born in Hungary, said recalling the historic matches, meeting current SA Socceroo Ryan McGowan and Trent Sainsbury before Australia smashed Tajikistan (7-0) in a FIFA World Cup qualifier at Adelaide Oval in March.
“I remember seeing 20,000 troops at the stadium, there was a revolution going on and you could hear the sound of gunfire going on.”
Herczeg was officially awarded Socceroos cap. no. 177 for playing his pioneering part of the national team’s history before Adelaide City legend John Perin became the second South Australian to feature in a World Cup qualifier in 1969, playing in Australia’s 3-1 win over Japan in Seoul.
Herczeg arrived in Australia from Hungary as a five-year-old and settled into a Woodside migrant hostel before joining Orange-Sturt’s soccer juniors.
He made his senior debut as a 16-year-old at (Adelaide) Budapest then signed for (Adelaide) Croatia before Adelaide Juventus paid a then record Australian transfer fee of £1500 in 1964.
He also played 15 matches for South Australia.