Graham Arnold cut a shattered figure after Australia’s 2-2 draw with Iran in 1997 - his last match for his country.Credit:Tim Clayton
Then serial pest Peter Hore - or “that lunatic”,as Arnold remembers him - ran onto the field,threw himself onto the Iranian goal netting and caused a lengthy stoppage early in the second half,after Australia’s second goal.
“It’s amazing how many people still talk about it,” Arnold said. “I remember all the players on the pitch at the time,they came over and it was really a breakdown in the game. Mentally,we switched off. Instead of driving the 2-0 forward we switched off and they got back straight in the game to 2-2[Australia lost 3-3 on aggregate due to away goals].
“It was devastating. Seeing Terry Venables after the game,the way he was – it was the most unjust result he said he’s ever seen in his life. It was a sad way to end my international career.”
Almost a quarter of a century on,the opportunity for redemption may be just around the corner. Arnold has just steered the Socceroos through a flawless first section of qualifying for next year’s World Cup in Qatar,having notched wins overKuwait,Taiwan,Nepal andJordan over the last two weeks.
Socceroos star Harry Kewell after Iran ended Australia’s World Cup hopes in 1997.Credit:Tim Clayton
Now it gets harder. In less than two weeks,the Socceroos will find out which five other teams they’ll be drawn with in the crucial next round,where a top-two finish in their group will clinch a spot at the World Cup finals.
One of the possibilities is Iran. Incredibly,Australia has not faced them once at senior level since that infamous night in 1997,with fate still keeping them apart even after the country’s move from Oceania to the Asian confederation in 2006.