25 days to go: Brett Holman’s FIFA World Cup story

The 2018 FIFA World Cup is almost here and ahead of the tournament, we are profiling every Australian player who's been to a FIFA World Cup.

Today we continue the countdown with the man who wrote himself into Caltex Socceroos folklore for his performances at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, attacking midfielder Brett Holman.

READ: FIFA World Cup: Countdown for the Caltex Socceroos

Cap number: 490

World Cups played at: 2010

Position: Attacking midfielder

Age at World Cup: 26 (now aged 34)

Clubs played for:

Parramatta Power, Feyenoord, Excelsior, NEC, AZ Alkmaar, Aston Villa, Al Nasr, Emirates Club, Brisbane Roar

Best World Cup moment:

The tournament in South Africa in 2010 is where Holman came of age as a Caltex Socceroo, featuring in all three matches.

While he came off the bench in the loss to Germany, he started the second match against Ghana and scored the opening goal – finishing off after Marco Bresciano’s free-kick was spilled by the keeper – in the 1-1 draw.

Then in the final group game against Serbia, Holman scored a stunning goal just seven minutes after coming off the bench, surging forward from midfield and firing a long-range shot into the bottom corner of the net as Australia won 2-1.

He is one of just two Australians – along with Tim Cahill – to score multiple goals at a World Cup.

Brett Holman fires into the net against Ghana.
Brett Holman fires into the net against Ghana.

Career highlight:

Holman enjoyed success in the Eredivisie with AZ, as the club won the league in 2008/09 before winning the Dutch Super Cup before the start of the following season.

He made 27 appearances with Aston Villa, scoring one goal, which came in a 1-1 draw away against QPR.

During his stint in the UAE with Al Nasr, Holman helped the club win the League Cup and President’s Cup in the 2014/15 season.

Post-playing career:

Holman is still playing professionally, just completing his second season in the Hyundai A-League with Brisbane Roar.

Did you know?

Holman got actor John Travolta – who flew his own Qantas 707 aircraft to Johannesburg to support the Caltex Socceroos in 2010 – to sign one of his jerseys from the tournament.

“I got him to sign one of my jerseys with a quote from [the movie] Face Off. That was actually pretty cool!” Holman said in an interview with FourFourTwo.

Brett Holman gets his jersey signed by actor John Travolta.
Brett Holman gets his jersey signed by actor John Travolta.