Socceroos can be inspired at the scene of previous World Cup heroics

THE dressing room air will hang heavy with history at ANZ Stadium. It’s been written there before, on glorious nights for Australian football. Now the Socceroos aim to add another chapter.

WIRE: Socceroos (L-R) Tony Vidmar, Scott Chipperfield, John Aloisi and Vincent Grella celebrate after defeating Uruguay on penalties during their second leg World Cup qualifier, Australia v Uruguay at Sydney's Telstra Stadium, 16/11/2005. Australia booked a World Cup 2006 finals berth for the first time in 31 years.

THE dressing room air will hang heavy with history tonight at ANZ Stadium. History has been written there before, on glorious nights for Australian football. Now the Socceroos aim to add another chapter.

No doubt those previous nights will motivate the current generation, who want to make their own mark. Memories have been invoked before, especially back in 2005 when Uruguay were the foes.

Tomi Juric and James Troisi can draw from the recent success Australia have had at ANZ Stadium.

Before that game there was a studied calm in the dressing room, with music banned by Guus Hiddink to aid the players’ focus. Hiddink shut himself away for the last period before kick off, content he had prepared the players to their limit.

Senior members of the squad spoke briefly to the group of the past - reminding their teammates of the pain endured in 1997 and 2001 when they lost out on a place at the World Cup at the final hurdle.

That moment in 2005 that all football fans, and most Aussies, remember vividly.

Tony Popovic and Mark Viduka were among them, stressing the need to take what might be a one in a lifetime opportunity.

“Guus was about keeping it really relaxed,” said Archie Thompson who had spent time at Hiddink’s club side, PSV, in the run up to the tournament. “He kept working on keeping everyone grounded, and avoiding adding to the pressure.

“He was very chilled and gave off an air of confidence. The players drew on that.”

Graham Arnold was watching it all as Hiddink’s assistant. “The players aren’t stupid, they know it’s a huge game,” said the now-Sydney FC coach. “Guus had locked himself away as kick off got near, he’d said all he needed to in the hotel earlier.”

Guus Hiddink celebrates with captain Mark Viduka after Australia qualified for the 2006 World Cup. Pic: AP

Fast forward eight years, and Holger Osieck’s Socceroos faced their own moment of destiny at ANZ. Their situation wasn’t quite as stark, but they needed to beat Iraq to be certain of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.

“Holger was all about the preparation, a lot of his talks were done the night before,” said Thompson who was still part of the national squad.

“He reiterated a bit before the game, but again it was very much about keeping the players calm, especially as this squad was a lot younger and less experienced than in 2005.

“He didn’t say much in the dressing room, the players understood the importance of the game.”

Josh Kennedy celebrates his goal during the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. Pic: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

They were also very confident, facing a weakened and already eliminated Iraqi side.

“But when we actually played, we found it a lot harder than what we thought,” midfielder Mark Bresciano said. “They actually came out and gave us a good game. They were very decent side and really pushed us. It was tough, right from the start.”

In the end Josh Kennedy’s goal seven minutes from time proved enough - though other results meant Australia would have gone through anyway.

“It’s a funny situation for the current team because they’re not playing for a World Cup spot directly,” said Thompson. “You want to have the excitement of winning, but assuming we do there’s more pain coming in another play-off.

“This was always going to be a tough hurdle, but they’ll clear it. I’m sure of that.”