Socceroos pushed by pain of 1997 disaster

Tonight the Socceroos can lead us to Russia. But the painful memories of that dark night against Iran in 1997 still linger.

Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak prepares for the Honduras game

The disaster of 1997 was the darkest day in Australian soccer history and it hasn’t been lost on Ange Postecoglou as the Socceroos prepare for a game that could come to reflect that shocking night against Iran, or book our spot in next year’s World Cup.

The crippling burden of expectation will weigh heavily on the national team when they play Honduras in the second leg Intercontinental World Cup playoff at ANZ Stadium tonight.

Such is the prize at stake that the winner will advance to Russia next year with a guaranteed $15 million cheque to bank and the promise of another three or four years of goodwill.

It is money that cash-strapped Football Federation Australia need as they try to fight battles on a number of fronts.

For the loser, doom and gloom will likely ensue — take Italy as an example — as the ramifications hit home until the next World Cup qualifiers a couple of years down the track.

Australian soccer knows only too well the consequences of such a defeat. Leading 2-0 against Iran in the second leg in November 1997, the Socceroos conceded two goals in the final 15 minutes to be eliminated on the away goals rule after drawing 1-1 in Tehran in the first leg. The consequences of that heartbreaking night in Melbourne was felt for years as the sport was all but brought to its knees.

Australian soccer eventually rose from those ashes, qualifying for the past three World Cups in Germany (2006), South Africa (2010) and Brazil (2014).

But a fourth straight appearance is under threat even if Australia appears to have the whip hand after the superb 0-0 draw in San Pedro Sula last Saturday.

A win tonight will put the Socceroos through, but any score draw — 1-1 or 2-2 for example — will echo the Iran disaster and will rule Australia miss out.

Postecoglou said he understood the nature of playoffs like this but refused to look at it in a negative way.

“That’s what playoff games are about. There’s a lot at stake. It’s a fine line and you can never be comfortable,” Postecoglou said.

“The Syria game was a classic example. We totally dominated the opposition but last minute they had a chance to score.

“For the game it is always important to be there when the World Cup is played. We saw Italy miss out this morning [against Sweden] and you realise the impact. But not qualifying does not mean the game somehow ceases to exist. It is more about our continued growth.

“That’s the nature of football and we’ve had our near misses in the past — 1997 was a great example of that. My job is to make sure that we understand the consequences of everything we do, our decisions and the way we play and realise that ultimately we have to play right until the final minute.

“We have to make sure when the final whistle blows that we’ve got the right result.”

Postecoglou believes the players will handle the massive ­occasion and the expectations of a sporting nation. The long and winding road of the Asian qualifiers that has taken them through 21 games, including the recent playoffs against Syria, will hold them in good stead.

The Australians held their nerve under intense pressure against Syria. After drawing the first leg away 1-1 they fell behind to an early goal before Tim Cahill rescued them with a brace, the winner coming in extra time.

“There was a lot of talk about the occasion in Honduras and how the players were going to handle that. But on reflection the performance shows they handled it very well,” Postecoglou said.

“These type of (playoff) games, while the object was to qualify ­directly, for this group of players it is helping them mature at international level.”

Postecoglou has promised the Socceroos won’t change their approach to the game, suggesting they will put Honduras under pressure from the start. With any luck they can get an early goal, but it is likely they will need at least two if they are to get through.

“Maybe 1-0 is enough but we don’t think that way,” he said.

“We will start aggressively and go for as long as it takes — 90 minutes, 120 minutes. It will be up to the opposition to stop us and keep up with us.”

Australia’s home record, especially at ANZ Stadium where they have won nine times, lost once and drawn once in their past 11 games, is an advantage according to captain Mile Jedinak. “That goes without saying. A lot of us played abroad and don’t get to play in front of family and friends so it will be special,” Jedinak said.

“The significance of the game and what is at stake makes it extra special.”

If the Socceroos qualify tonight, they will be one of only 11 teams to make all four World Cups since 2006, joining Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, England, France, Germany, Portugal and Spain.