Monday, 21 November 2005 6:45 PM
South Melbourne FC congratulates the Australian national side on qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. As a club that has produced numerous capped national players since it’s foundation in 1959, there are few other clubs who have been as involved in the international scene in this country as deeply as South.
When John Aloisi’s penalty hit the net in Sydney, it spelt not only a great day for Australian football but everyone who has supported and participated in the sport during the thirty years that we spent in the football wilderness. Without the “traditional” clubs, and the now maligned National Soccer League, it’s almost certain that we wouldn’t have seen such a number of quality Australian talents developed here. Most of the squad who will travel to Germany next year, have trodden the turf at Bob Jane Stadium at some point or another during their careers, and now find themselves ready to line up against the likes of Brazil in front of crowds of 80,000.
South Melbourne were well represented amongst the crowd on the night, with a big number of the Bob Jane faithful making their way to Sydney to support Australia and see in person the moment that Australian football finally put years of underachievement to rest.
We wish the squad, and everyone travelling to support them, the best of luck in Germany next year.
Go the Socceroos!
