That Day in Stuttgart - the game

The popular opinion on the game strategy was that as long as we didn’t concede an early goal and have Croatia sit on that lead, we’d have a good chance in this game. After 2 minutes and Srna’s fantastic free kick, it was obvious that game plan was out the window. Credit to the fans and the team who decided the goal didn’t matter and cheered even louder and pressed hard for a goal of their own. Attacking the Australian end in the first half, plenty of chances came the Socceroos way and each penalty claim and free kick and near chance provoked even more noise. The energy was incredible and it really felt like it was a matter of time before we’d get one back. Sure enough, after one or two legitimate claims for a penalty had gone unrewarded (Viduka was rugby tackled and rather than flopping he tried to stay on his feet), we finally got one and Craig Moore stepped up and banged it right down the middle - confidence or nerves?

The game was tense and tight and tackles were flying in from both teams. Credit to referee Poll who did a great job for 85 minutes of the game. The noise in the stadium was intense and players must have had trouble hearing the whistle at times. Poll was light on the yellow cards and heavy on the talking to the players and the game was allowed to flow. Some might say flow too much as there were several calls that might have gone Australia’s way inside the penalty area that were not called.

Simunic, who would eventually b booked three times in this game, was a crowd favourite. Born in Australia but deciding to play for Croatia, every time he touched the ball he was booed and jeered with cries of ‘Judas!’. He was one of the more aggressive players on Croatia’s team that night and I wonder if the crowd got into his head a little.

Before Moore’s equalizer, Australia had been pressing hard and controlling the game as Croatia seemed to sit back and invite the Aussies to attack. After the penalty, Croatia came alive again and started to create their own chances again. It was a open game with end to end stuff, with the pace of a Premiership fixture. No more goals were scored however, and at the half it was 1-1.

The German guy next to me showed me a text on his phone that had the news Japan had taken the lead against Brazil, which was surprising, but no danger to the Socceroos unless they banged in a couple more.

Second half kicked off and both sets of supporters were relentless with the singing. Croatia probably had the best of the chances that fell to both teams but it was a goalkeeping blunder that allowed them to take the lead on 53 minutes. Kalac had replaced Schwarzer in goal for this game - one reason I’d heard was that he spoke Croatian and Guus might have thought that an advantage when defending set pieces. Whatever the reason, it backfired when he failed to smother a fairly tame shot and it bobbled in front of him and then over his body into the goal. To concede a goal is gut wrenching in a tight encounter like this one. To give up a goal in that fashion is demoralizing and I wouldn’t like to know what the other players were thinking when they saw that Sunday league error cost them the lead and a chance in the second round of the World Cup. The Croatian fans were obviously delighted and immediately set off half a dozen flares.

The Socceroos responded well, however, and Croatia again went on the back foot and allowed Australia to come at them. As the game worn on though the chances started to dry up and the game was being fought out more in midfield. Around the 70th minute, Australia was putting some solid pressure on the Croatian goal. Keeper Pletikosa somehow managed to keep the ball from crossing the line during a goal mouth scramble and Harry Kewell had a shot from 7 yards incredibly saved by the goalie - pure reflexes. The crowd was sure he’d scored. A few minutes later there was cries of handball as a Croatian defender leapt for a cross into the box with his arms raised, the ball striking him on the arm. No call from the ref, despite the protests from Australia. On 79 minutes though the Aussie crowd exploded as Kewell scored from a corner. Whether he was offside or not when Josh Kennedy flicked the ball on, I don’t really care. As far as I and the rest of the green and gold crowd it was simple justice/karma/whatever you want to call it.

Kewell, who’d spent most of the game to that point strolling around and not doing a whole lot suddenly became a national hero. He was Johnny on the Spot for the goal but his first touch was excellent and the finish superb considering the speed and angle at which the ball came to him. Let’s hope it lights a fire in his belly to do more against Italy.

Following the goal, I can barely remember the order of events as they unfolded. Safe to say I had about 20 heart attacks as Croatia pulled their finger out and chased a winner, while Australia tried to waste time and gather any remaining reserves of stamina after playing 5 up front and 5 at the back (no midfield) for 35 minutes. Kalac gave more reasons not to start him against Italy (or ever again) as his handling was dodgy and his distribution worse. Croatia were getting more and more shots away and the hearts of every Aussie fan there were in their mouths as Australia cleared off the line as Kalac lay prone and the ball bounced towards the line.

I won’t go into the 3 yellow card incident as it was confusing as hell inside the ground and it was difficult to tell what was going on, especially the melee at the opposite end of the ground. Our referee blogger gives a good breakdown of events. Whatever happened, both teams eventually ended the game with 10 men. Emerton will miss the game with Italy, but would have anyway even if he’d only picked up one card, let alone two.

To this day I still don’t know exactly when the game ended. The whistles from Poll were coming thick and fast, just like the yellow cards. Australia had scored then not scored. We’d been awarded a penalty then not had to take it. Aloisi was never credited for a goal that could have stood and Mark Viduka hugged Graeme Poll after it was all finally over.

All this happened at the far end of the field from the Australian supporters and the feeling was a mixture of joy, confusion, triumph and uncertainly. We couldn’t tell what was going on and it was only when we saw the Australian bench rush the field that we were sure the game was over and the Socceroos had done enough to qualify for the second round. Japan had done their part and been drubbed 4-1 by Brazil.

What followed was one of the best sporting moments I can remember. I was only a kid when Australia won the America’s Cup but I remember the euphoria the moment that puff of smoke left the cannon signifying Australia II crossing the line. I remember hearing Men at Work’s Down Under a bazillion times and loving it every single time. June 22nd, 2006 was another of those moments. After the final whitle blew and the players were leaving the field the stadium PA threw out some AC/DC. It took a second or two for the crowd to recognize it, but then everyone was singing “You Shook Me All Night Long”. Down Under followed immediately afterwards, and then AC/DC was back with “TNT”. The Socceroos took the field again and did a lap of honour, thanking the crowd who’d never been silent the entire night.

Long after the stadium PA had thanked everyone for coming, announced the next day’s games, and eventually shut down completely, the Aussie crowd was still standing and cheering. No one had moved and they were going to savour the moment as long as they could.

Back in downtown Stuttgart, the pedestrian mall was packed with green and gold. I’m sure the revelry lasted well into the night.

Australia had progressed out of a group they were given little hope of even winning a game. Instead they showed they can match it with the world’s best and get results when they needed to. Who knows if they can beat Italy - the bookmakers sure don’t think so - but one thing is for sure, they won’t roll over and give up before the final whistle. Being a goal down does not faze this team and they have great faith in their coach to make the decisions that will put them in a position to win every game.