Greatest Socceroos Moments in Australia - Iran heartbreak

The 1997 2-2 draw with Iran might not be one of the Socceroos "greatest" moments, but it's certainly one of the most dramatic, heart-wrenching and memorable games in our history.

The 1997 2-2 draw with Iran might not be one of the Socceroos "greatest" moments, but it's certainly one of the most dramatic, heart-wrenching and memorable games in our history.

There is a fine line between pleasure and pain. One of the reason football is so ingrained in our souls is because of manner in which we must endure so much hurt, punctured by only the briefest moments of glory.

And despite decades of not quite making it, few games can match the gut-wrenching drama of the Socceroos- 1997 draw with Iran.

As winners of their respective qualification zones, Australia looked to have scored first blood with a crucial away goal in the 1-1 draw in front of an estimated 128,000 fans in Tehran.

Socceroos fans came out in force for the decider, with 85,000 packing the MCG, and with a spot in the 1998 World Cup finals at stake, it was a nail-gnawing, edge-of-seat-wrecking, underwear-ruining fixture.

The Socceroos came blasting out of the blocks, as coach Terry Venables instructed his side to go for the jugular.

Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell led the line, with Aurelio Vidmar a constant threat from midfield, as Australia peppered the Iranian goal throughout the first half, only denied by some incredible saves from Iran keeper Reza Abedzadeh and a goal-line clearance.

But the tide couldn-t be stopped, and it was the 17-year-old Kewell who broke through first, dispatching a Vidmar cross into the back of the net and wheeling away with joy.

Vidmar made it 2-0 just after half-time, pouncing on a rebound to slam the ball into the roof of the net. Two goals to the good and the Socceroos were dominant, with on foot on a plane to France.

But, unpredictably, the game turned on its head when serial pest Peter Hore found his way onto the pitch and damaged the net of Iran-s goal.

The interruption broke the Socceroos- focus and gave Iran a way back into the game.

With less than 20 minutes to go, Karim Bagheri capitalised on confusion in the Australian defence to stab home a rebound and make it 2-1.

Four minutes later, Khodadad Azizi caught the Aussie backline flat and sprinted to clear to calmly slot the ball past Mark Bosnich. Two-all and Iran were in the box seat under the away goals rule.

The Socceroos gave it everything they had in that final 15 minutes but couldn-t find a way past the determined Iranians. All their domination counted for nothing as the whistle blew and Australia missed out on the World Cup yet again.

That was 15 years ago - does it hurt any less now? Maybe not, but the Socceroos have gone from strength to strength ever since. We can never take qualification for the World Cup for granted but we at least know that Australia have earned their spot on the world stage.

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