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| Issue No 120 |  |
23 November 2001 |
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The SoapboxBall by Ball – Socceroos on Socceroos
1972 Socceroos Dennis Yaager and Ray Baartz traveled to Melbourne to cover the Wolrd Cup qualifier exclusively for Workers Online. Unfortunately, they got a little lost on the way.
Setting the Scene Sydney Cricket Ground, 27 April 1974, Uruguay - v- Australia 1st half, 25 minutes Ray Baartz jumps for a header, a Uruguay defender strikes Ray on the side of the neck with a karate chop type blow (Goes unnoticed by officials). This blow was days later to prematurely ends the playing career (not to mention life threatening situation), if not the best according to Rale Rasic (Australian Coach 1974 World Cup) one the best Aussie players ever to wear green and gold Now the Pay Back Sunday 20 November 2001, 8.30 am On the way to Sydney Airport Ray receives another call from the media (third already today) this time from Greg Radley 2KY BSB. Baartzy again goes over the events from Sydney 1974 not in a mournful way, but has usual good humouredly cheerful style. "I think one goal will be enough" says Bullet Boot Baartz. (Who could hit a fly on the fly with a soccer ball from 40 metres) Melbourne 20 November 2001, 1.00 pm Elephant and Wellbarron Hotel, St Kilda Reunion for ex-Socceroos. A few beers and a few tears mates who couldn't made it like, Little Joey Watson and Jimmy Mackay, whose goal in Hong Kong in 1974 sent Australia rocketing into it first ever World Cup Final Series. Ron Lord and Bill Henderson two veterans from the 1956 Olympic Soccer Team were there. To a man the ex-Socceroo, looking forward to a great night but more importantly in from only a victory over Uruguay. Ray is one of the guest speakers, talks of hard times during 1974 World Cup campaign, Diet of Coco Cola and bread rolls, a commendation which would make the boat people look like they were on a luxurious cruise liner. Training grounds as green and soft as the M4, but all these adversities helped to bond the "74" Socceroos. 5.00 pm at the Elephant and Wellbarrow, goals which in the 70's were simple "tap-in's" were now 35 yards screamers Time to go to the match Streams of green and gold led to the MCG. Baartzy (who owns a sports store in Newcastle) had an ulterior motive. "If Aussie wins, what about all those Aussie shirts I could sell $$$". Up in the gods G Row behind the goal, on a perfect spring evening in Melbourne. The Mexican wave, Angry Anderson, David Campbell - I still call Australia Home" resounds around the ground 85,000 (Peter Allens) Fantastic it - It doesn't get any better 7.30 pm the Aussie's come out to warm up "Kewell looks sharp," says Ray. Farina a few quite words here and there The national anthems, Uruguay's sound like Benny Goodman and Satchmo after several nights on the turps. Then our turn - Advance Australia Fair - we all stand, each player who has worn the green and gold feels 10 feet tall, hairs stand on end/goose bumps, eyes moisten. Imagine how boys down below feel - an Australian produced (home grown) playing overseas as full time professional (we have done something right along this way). At the conclusion of our anthem an enormous roar heard all over Melbourne erupts. Then Signome Cesari blows time on "Here we go! Here we go! Here we go!" Recoba tries to Lob Schwarzer from nearly half way, Moore brings the place alive just minutes later with a great header saved by Uruguay's keeper. The first half the Aussie have a lot of possession - "We're not playing enough balls forward too many square ball" says Baartz "They have us covered on the flanks" Double cover on Emerton and Lazaridis limits options wide "We should be pressuring more in their half" continues the Novicastrian. Viduka's not working hard enough. Halftime - "We have to make changes" Agostino comes on for Laza' Kewell goes wide left Agostino goes forward with Viduka - Immediately we lift, more positive things happen - Kewell is cool starting to attack Players out wide. Agostino gives us purposeful runs, Emerton gets more involved, but still Uruguay had us on the counter, Recoba especially looks dangerous. Out defence holds - Moore is the rock, Murphy Muscat and Vidmar give great support. Time ticks away "0 - 0 will do". We will play better in Montevideo. Then it happens, just when nil all looked good. Harry went down the left, beat one, then beat the cover, whips in a great cross. Agostino making a determined run near post like a rampaging bull, just as he is about to make contact. He is pole axed by a Uruguayan defender. Cesari points to the spot (not a single protest from the ??) The crowd is delirious then a great hush - who will take it - Muscat? Shock horror- the bad guy, the evil one. Ray looks at me raises his eyebrows, Frank Micic 1974 player blesses himself. Muscut walks up places the ball walks back, runs in, the roar is deafening as the net bulges. We are in Montevideo YES YES. But wait, there is still 10 minutes. 10 minutes can be an eternity, however, with the players we have, any flicker of hope in the remaining time is soon snuffed out and Cesari blows full time. Uruguay straight into the dressing rooms - Aussie's salute the standing crowd for what seems an age. Appreciating each other, crowd and players. Home via Crown Casino "What do you reckon mate?" Baartzy I reckon we will do a lot better over there, less pressure and it is up to them to come at us". "We should play Agostino behind Viduka let him do the hard yards and support mark. See you in Seoul Ray Baartz
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