I will never forget that day and this game, azizi's run away goal had our hearts pounding.

What a match! i was 14 years, a syrian boy fond of football. I was to go to a match with my school's teammates in the same time of this match but i told my mates that i won't come to match coz i want to watch Australia VS Iran (i was fan of Iran team) but after it came to 2-0 for AUS, i got out of my home going to play the match with friends but then on my road one child told me that noone in the playground so i came back to home at the time of the 1st iranian goal, then after the end of match i ran out crying happily. in the playground, everyone was talking about this crazy match, i think we didn't play, we just kept talking about Azizi's goal which carried Iran to one of the best world cups: France 98. DAYS OF BEAUTIFUL FOOTBALL ALL OVER THE WORLD!

Today is 29 November 2017, and still, everyone remembers this match. I will come back on 29 November 2037 and everyone will remember this match then :)

How much did Johnny Warren love Australian Football. Unbelievable loyalty and dedication. Such a pity he didn't see our World Cup success in person but he is looking down and knows Australia is sticking it up the world now!!

I am South Korean. At that time i was 10years old. I remember this match. Korean broadcasters also broadcast the game live.

iranian goal keeper was the best player in this match.

Have a look at the Iranian goalkeeper in 38:30 He receives the ball with one hand!!! UNBELIEVABLE

Abedzadeh was the best goalkeeper in the world at the time.

Both of them with Japan and South Korea are giants of Asia . What a fantastic game . I knew Marc Bosnic and Ali Daei from Asia on last days ... Specially Ali Daei ! He was great ...

20 years ago I was in the stadium. Always celebrate this day 😊

Iran's 1997 team has a very special journey to world cup. The team never won a game in their final six qualification games. They had a good start, but then they lost to Saudi, tie Kuwait, and lost to Qatar to conclude their group games. But they still earned a chance to play Japan in a winner-take-all game for world cup ticket. They lost on a sudden death goal in over time. Then they played home-away games with Australia. They 0:0 tied the first game at home. Then they 2:2 tied the second game in Australia after trailing 0:2 with 15 mins left. They won the series and went to world cup with more away-game goals. So amazing!

I was 15 when this match held in 1997 . I and my classmates plus our profs in high school were sitting on the ground in front of principal office with a small TV . That day was so quiet because everyone in our town Shiraz was watching this match everyone from young to old praying hard to go to world cup we were obsessed with football after we were down to 2 goals we went to school yard to play football and forget the depression of loss but suddenly heard others screaming and i was shocked it was a miracle because I think that Australian team was better and didn’t expect winning I couldn’t get home early and took hours because people were celebrating till morning next day. Respect to Australia you played very good

20 Years later, still brings tears to my eyes. Unforgettable day!!!

What a ball by Ali Daei! He also made a similar through pass to Mahdavikia for 2nd goal against US.

Today is 25 jan. 2020, and still, everyone remembers this amazing match..! I will come back on 25 jan. 2050 and everyone will remember this match again ..!

Still when I watch this game remind me a lots of memory I mean good memory from long time ago, I remember watching this game with my parents and other sibling and at the end of the game all of us hit the road, it was national celebration, people singing dancing on street and that was time when I find out how much I love my own people and my country, Love Iranians and Iran.

This is a game that both Iranians and Australians never forget

عجب مسابقه ای بود! مصداق" در نومیدی بسی امید است..." از آب در اومد و شد شادترین لحظه ی تاریخ زندگی خیلی از ایرانی ها

I've been to AFL Grand Finals where my side has lost, but nothing will come close to the level of hurt I felt on this night. I had just turned 18, I sat pretty much on a 45° angle to the goal at the end which that moron ran out and broke the net, I sat 10 rows from the front, and saw my uncle Attila Abonyi, partake in the 1974 Socceroos lap of honor, as he played with the Australian squad which played the 1974 World Cup. Truth be told, Australia should've been 2-0 up after 5 minutes. I'll never forget 85,000 people singing 'You'll Never Walk Alone' prior to kickoff, this was at a time where the English Premier League wasn't a highly broadcast sport in Australia, we got maybe 2 games per week broadcast on ESPN, and Liverpool's anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone' wasn't as popular in Australia as it is now. 85,000 people as one stood and sung Advance Australia Fair at the top of their lungs. Complete and utter dejection is the feeling which followed the full time whistle. I believe Australia would've done well at France 98, Iran were grouped with Germany, USA & Yugoslavia. I'd like to think we would've beaten USA & Yugoslavia. Then in the round of 16 who knows! We all seen Australia vs Italy in 2006, a match Australia would've won had it of gone to ET. While we may have lost on away goals back in 1997, Australian football won a lot of hearts that night.

I was lucky enough to be living in Melbourne in the late 1990s. One of the best cities in the world to live in with people from major passionate soccer nations living there.I went to this match because it was a world cup qualifier. I think I experienced one of the best atmospheres at the MCG having been there for other sports. First time in a long time MCG hosted a major soccer fixture. It was full house I think 88000 people turned up hoping to see Australia qualify for the world cup for the first time since 1974. They came so close to qualifying for France 98, yet so far. Soccer crowds are so passionate about their sport and team. I was very impressed with both teams. Iran and Australia played good football. However I thought Australia were very unlucky not to win the Melbourne Fixture and go to France 98 seven months later and Australia were without doubt the better side with very good players in the late 1990s even better than what they had in later Word Cups and deserved to go to France 98 . However it was great to experience some of the culture and people of Iran at the MCG. It was a festive atmosphere inside and outside the MCG. Iranian supporters having makeshift barbecues etc just outside the stadium. Melbournians who are migrants come from all corners of the world who live in Melbourne. I think saw flags of probably every nation on the planet there. At the end I congratulated happy Iranian fans, who are a great bunch of people. Aussie fans were gutted. But it was the night soccer really made its mark on Australian sports. Soccer was never the same again after that night. Even though Aus didnt qualify for France 98. It set the groundwork for participation in many world cups for Australia since and in subsequent WC Australia qualified. Its a night I will never forget and it was a great experience. Glad I can relive it now anytime on youtube almost twenty one years later. Gosh 1998 seemed like yesterday I was a young man then. Now I am getting old fast and in a few years I will be middle age. How the years and time flies.

As an Iranian I'd say it would be only fair if Australia went through. It was a historic game for Iran. Aziz's goal was played on Iranian TV sports shows for thousands of times. All the players has been regarded as heroes. It started a tradition of street celebration of football victories which didn't exist before and couldn't be thought of because of the very tightly controlled social space by the state. Iran won only first and foremost out of pure luck but also some talented players with unbelievable fighting spirit who didn't give up until the very last moment although all the odds were against them. What a game! hats off to both teams.

Valdeir Vieira, iranian coach for this play-off, managed only 3 matchs with Iran national team!

First iran goal : 02:01:53 Iran's second goal: 02:05:40 A night to remember for both nations

How good was the rendition of the national anthem! The noise of the crowd just elevated her voice to another stratosphere. Wow👍🏻🇦🇺

Just watched the full match again after nearly 25 years of the time, and I enjoyed every bit of it...! I remember that night , those happy people who were cheering and national celebrations in the streets.... Even though I felt sorry for Australian people whom their team deserved to win. They played much much better than us, and had many chances to score more. Harry Kewell,the 19 year old boy, was brilliant and scary .Our goalkeeper, Abedzadeh also was a full confidence goalkeeper and captain who saved Iran`s team. . But that´s why Football (Soccer) is the most amazing game of the world. in this mach always there is a chance to be taken by each team to win...! Respect for Australia & Iran .

Whenever life gets me down, I come watch the end of this match.

Today is 4th December 2019 . Unforgettable night for Australia forever and ever .

Thank you Ali Daee for incredible pass and thank you Azizi for incredible goal. VIVA IRAN, and long live our Persian culture.

I was so happy for iran when they won in 97.those australian did not realize that those iranian players when they play,they are naturally very skillful.

I will never forget this game. I was 24 years old that year and I did not understand what happened! Now that I look at the strong Australian team made a few mistakes, aerial play and cross from the wings, if the Australian coach was smart he would change the game system and follow the game on the ground and from the middle of the field, Australia's aerial and hasty game It happened, if the Australian team reached the world, we could see exciting games from the team, but national prejudice makes me a fan of my country's national team....💚

I never knew that jackie chan played for iran))

the most important and unforgettable game ever payed.

That Aussie national anthem will never be matched, amazing atmosphere but heartbreaking end

Iranian goal keeper was a legend.

Was at the game and couldn't believe it then and just watching again the end song does this justice, " don't lose your head" that's what the Aussies did lose not only their heads but a golden opportunity to go to France 98 WC. How many opportunities did Vidmar need. Even Diacos the Magpie Aussie rules footballer could have put at least 3 out of the 6 chances missed in first half. Unbelievable!

16 years after their AFC-OFC play-off encounter, both Australia and Iran automatically qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup together.

I love the reporters reactions how they were so up at the beginning and so depressed at the end.

Mad respect to australian fan who put this up. Glad we are both in the world cup this time! Cheers!!

An absolutely fantastic piece of goal keeping by Abedzadeh. Hero he was indeed.

It's still giving me goose bumps each time I watch it ~~~

Today is 18 September 2019, and still, everyone remembers this amazing & memorable match...! What a match ..!

I never forget this game It was one of the memorial days of my life

Its 2017 and I still feel sick

20 years passed , good old days!!!

One of the most upsetting games of soccer I have ever seen. Saw it live at the ground last century and it depressed me, watching it in 2020 and it's still depressing me 😡

thx for share this material. I was looking for some info about players and this vids helped me a lot. Cheers from Argentina!

Video Archive, I am speechless at the end of this match. Seldom have I seen a game change course so dramatically. What a horrible disappointment for Australia-what an undeserved result for totally outplayed and play-acting Iran. Notwithstanding this result a great display by Australia and exceptional coaching by Terry Venables. Very very emotional Johnny Warren at the end. Great match coverage and commentary again. Great occasion and atmosphere.

It was the best moment in my life when the second goal was scored.

30:30 Goose bumps. That is Jane Scali singing.

Thanks for uploading this good and old game!;)

IRAN IRAN IRAN IRAN

Iran lost a lots of bolls and didn’t play good game but they raised from down to fantastic second goals. Abedzadea was great and man of match for Iran .

beautifull.. the futbol is beatifull

Ahmadreza Abedzadeh ist der beste Torwart aller Zeiten 😍😍😍😍😍

This is the first time I've seen any footage of the game since I watched it live. Trying to erase that night from my memory. It was gut-wrenching.

Thanks for the upload of the complete game. It was a historical two-leg playoff, and it was unfortunate that only one team was able to go to the '98 WC. Great to see both Iran and the Aussies in the '14 WC!!

Here in Iran, we call it "Iranian Spirit;" it will appear whenever needed. God bless Iran. God bless Iranians.

2:06:28 11 for Australia puts his hands on his head long before the goal is scored, knew Azizi wasnt going to miss from there...

Damn i still remember this night, i had a gut feeling its going to be a turn around.

Remember me ... I was 14 years old ... I and my little brother ... we did not want to go to school so we could see this game ... but we did not go to school...We live in Tehran...But I like the Australian team ... especially Bosnich ... I would like Australia to come to the World Cup.

Thanks for the upload. I really do miss Johnny and Les. RIP Boys!

Heart melts! Love Iran!

Peyrovani was embrassing as a center back for Iran. Can’t believe he was starting. Will never forget this game. I watch it once a year at least

For the second straight FIFA World Cup, both Australia and Iran qualified.

The Iranian translator at the end of the game was translating many things wrong, he was translating his own opinion instead of the Iranian player. Khodadad Azizi was saying Iran played better in Tehran but Australia was much better in this game. He also mentioned that Iranian team was psychologically down because the the previous coach who was a total loser. The moment they changed that idiot coach and got the new one, their performance became better. Azizi also mentioned honestly it was Australia's right to win this game because they played better.

I remembered this match .Australian were very proud of themselves that is why they had lost match. We believe match is 90 minute and ball is circle.

دوای ه‌ر مریضی خداداد عزیزی

thank you finally uploaded both the games

I remember that night ,what a crazy night for Iranian people was and the day after I needed to go to national service .

Thank´s God Australia did not need more facing moments like that ! The both teams are in Asia zone and can qualify directly together !

Ebrahim Tahami was the best player in this game for Iran. So Abedzadeh was a great leader.

After 25 years I watch this game again and again. IRAN ❤

I remember watching this on a less than favourable TV signal. Dad did buy a better antenna for the 1998 World Cup. I listened to this, as was painting my deck. We were all over them, especially early. The surprising thing was that I thought the disruption happened in the middle of the second half, but it happened just after our second goal. Obviously, it was hard to listen to how we were going to France and then we weren't. The most ironic thing, was thar Foster was the first interviewed after the game. Who would've known he would become the chief SBS football analyst in later years. The only positive was that my Dad's favourite player was our best on the night (Lazarids).

74 was 23 years ago then. Now, 97 is 22 years ago.

still hurts...

Rest in peace Paul Williams.

Great quality mate thanks!

Remember Harry Kewell and Widmar for Australia, Bagheri and Azizi scored for Iran, I was 12 years old at that time

38:35 Just check out the goal keeper's skill... And listen to what the commentator is saying... Amazing... Abedzade was and still is simply amazing...

Your wishes are our memories

australia had 30 chances scored 2 iran had 2 chances scored 2 goals..

What a memorable game.

VIVAaaaaaaaaaaA PERSIAN ( IRAN ) FOREVER.................

what a match was that i still can remeber the match !

کریم‌باقری‌بهترین‌بازیکن‌قرن ایران

Thanks for putting up the video, it was definitely interesting to see the Australian version! Back then I was in Iran, I remember they let us leave school earlier so we can watch the game. After the game everyone was out in the streets celebrating.. The defining moment for Iranian players was when the fan tore the net,they felt insulted by the Australians and that was the game changer according to them.. Later I realized that fan was just mentally ill and has done similar acts in other games :)

As an Aussie, I was delighted at the result. The idiots running the game (Hill, Negus etc) ignored the greatest coach we had, Zoran Matic and chose part timer Venables with their Masonic handshake. Zoran would have parked the bus after 2-0 and held off Iran. Hill and Negus destroyed the NSL and traditional European clubs and then decided to destroy the Socceroos World Cup hopes. It was the best result that could happen. Man of the match: Peter Hore.

iraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnn iraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan

The day I fell in love with soccer!

R.I.P. Sándor Puhl (referee)

Back then I thought if Australia had played in Europe, they would have been qualified for the World Cup. Very high quality players. In fact, I routed for Australia again Saudi Arabia in Sydney Stadium. They're my second team indeed.

Hello Australian friends. Who sings that song by Waltzing Matilda in the 18:59 minute of the video of the Australia vs Iran please? Beforehand thank you very much

Iran got very lucky because of having best players like Abedzadeh,Azizi,Ali dai,bagheri and they won the game !

what a game!!!

VIVA IRAN FOR EVER IN ASIAN

That was a great introduction Australia had. I hope that they use this same opening ceremony come 2015 when they host the Asian Cup

Watching this clip is worse than Covid-19 😭

clip a bit grainey - im grateful for the video uploader however anybody know of any clearer copy ?

خدایا متشکریم! ایران و استرالیا (اونم کامل و بدون سانسور) بدون صدا و جملات رو اعصاب جوات خیابانی Thanks a lot for the upload. Really appreciated! This is one dramatic epic show rather than a Football game!

they are still crying for this game,