I'm not Australian, but for 17 minutes I felt like I was. Great documentary

17 years later and watching the replay of that night still brings tears to my eyes. And when you're watching what our boys are doing at the moment. So proud to be Australian.

I love being Australian, being at fed square with 10,000 people I have never met but filled with pure joy, pure anxiety, for a game of football

Australia deserves to organize a World Cup. I remember that night/early morning here in Uruguay (5.00 am). After the game people just walked to work like zombies not knowing what to do. 3 millions uruguayans died that day. But as always, we resurrected 4 years later when we made the semifinals in South Africa. That Australian team was the best I`ve ever see and believe it or not here hundreds thousands uruguayans rooted for the socceroos. There are lot of uruguayans living there, most of them escaping from the dictatorship of the 70's and early 80's, so we`ll always be gratefull to Australia for that. Of course, if we have to play you guys again for a WC playoff, don`t expect us to be nice, football here is not just a sport, and you learned that the hard way in 2001. But after the game - if we win - we'll be nice again. If we lose, just give us a couple of weeks until our tears get dry. We`re not regular fans. When we lose we cant just turn the TV on and watch basketball.

This was amazing.

As a Brazilian, I never understood the fuss of just qualifying for the World Cup. Now I do. Good on'ya Socceroos!

I had goosebumps throughout this video

Whoever disliked this, is either not a football fan or Uruguayan

November 16 is not just a story for Football fans in Australia, it is a footballing story so unique, absurd and inspiring that I needed to tell the story to Copa90's worldwide fanbase as the decades anniversary came up. Whilst the game in this country has been kicked, beaten up and laughed at for decades, as you've seen in this doc, we've been through the hard times and now, thanks to a new generation of Australian sports fans who want to be part of what the worlds talking about, football is on its way to becoming the national sport of Australia. It's a movement Johnny Warren has been fighting for since the 70's, and the reason I made this film, so to all Australian football fans watching this, let this video inspire you and get out there help make Australia's game The World Game! I Told You So!

I am from the USA and my brother is studying abroad in Melbourne. He is a diehard fan of Melbourne Victory and he says your football scene is mad. He also said you all are very nice to him in regards to being an American football fanatic. Thank you guys, cheers from Washington, USA!

New Zealand had a similar situation, they had never gone to to World Cup in 30-40 years and the kiwi people also trashed it, bullying it. For the 2010 World Cup qualifiers we were 1-0 up but a random penalty was called to the opposition, Mark Paston the goal keeper saves it and suddenly we were in the World Cup.

I was only 7 at the time, but I so vividly remember my father supporting Australia that world cup. We're Norwegian

I still cant believe I was actually at this game. I got a couple of late round tickets with pocket money I had been saving and went to the game with a friend. When Aloisi scored that final penalty the noise level from the crowd was so high my ear drums were vibrating and I literally couldn't hear a thing. Even though the penalty was being taken on the opposite side of the pitch, watching John sprint over to the corner near where I was seated is a moment I'll never forget.

I will never forget that day, my first WC qualifying match I saw was against Argentina in '93 (Sydney). I was sitting in Bay 23 at the time and felt the stadium shake when Vidmar scored. It ended 1-1 but lost the second leg 1-0 via a mad deflection that somehow ended in the back of the net. In '97 against Iran, I flew to Melbourne that day and it was literally the best Aussie atmosphere I experienced to date. Several ethnic and non-ethnic groups from around the country came together and met at the Cricketer's Arms hotel in Richmond. Across the road was a long stretch of fences where groups hung their flags. It felt surreal knowing for that one moment, you are side by side with a local rival. This is also the first time I seen a pub run out of beer. Inside the stadium (MCG) the atmosphere was electric, unfortunately with so many groups spread out across the stadium, much of the chanting was uncoordinated lol. When it was, it was fucken loud! Literally 50 flares were lit and it felt like I was back in Europe that day. I sat on the same side where Peter Hoar ran on the field (Ponsford stand - middle deck). I had my trip to France planned but we all know what happened there. I never forget flying back to Sydney 2 days later, sitting across Graham Arnold as he's still crying from the loss. A similar story in '01 against Uruguay but we didn't have the team to hold onto the 1-0 win from the first leg. Too bad I was stuck in Santiago, Chile without a ticket for the second leg. The moment in '05 came and we realised that Uruguay was the opponent once more, the Montevideo airport incident came to mind and every Aussie at the game felt obligated to give the Uruguayan players a hard time. At this moment, it felt our time has come. Australians came together as one and to witness qualification for the first time since 1974, we felt football was here to stay. 3 world cups later, the 32 years struggle seems all but forgotten. Football in Australia as it stands is still in need for improvement. Attendances and quality of football but we'll get there. Thanks for uploading this video and bringing back some fond memories!

Best thing I've ever watched. Gave me chills. Good job guys

My dad was at that game, he said he had been sick for the last few weeks before the game. The adrenaline he felt during the game cured him

I'm a Leaguie, one, AFL fan two, Union fan three. Not a big fan of soccer. But, every time I watch footage of Johnny Aloisi kicking that goal, I start to cry. I've loved the beautiful game ever since!

As a iranian I feel very bad for the ausis in 1997 but one the other side it is one of the brightest nights in Irans football history.I still get goosebump after watching the game after so many years.

I'm uruguayan and I really enjoyed watching this, I have aussie family also and I loved to get yours point of view of this story. Our sadness was part of your joy also part of your fotball history and i didnt expected at all lol. Love You primos Cassey, Chloé and Adrian if someone of you read this, I hope i'm gonna visit u soon! Love your country 👍

Still remember the game they won 31-0

I’m an American but it was actually Tim Cahill who reignited my love for football when I was younger. He still remains my favorite player of all time (not best). The man is a legend in my mind

It's so awesome to read the comments and see how much this game meant to football fans who aren't even Australian. This is such a special moment in our sporting history, it's 11 years later and I still get shivers down my spine and tears welling in my eyes watching Johnny score from the spot.

Canada needs this. We need to qualify for a World Cup.

hate it or love it, football is universal, it is forever. if God had a sport it is football!!!

Back here again after qualifying for 2022 🤩🤩

Always admired the Aussies , great people and down to earth

As a Uruguayan I don’t have good memories of this day. And today Peruvians are feeling exactly what I felt as a kid in 2005. Australia should never be taken lightly in anything. They’re a tough people with a lot of heart.

Bloody hell - as soon as they started talking about Johnny the tears start to flow. He really is our patron saint. Love this doco because the people who made it love the game as much as I do. Love your work

The one football moment that makes me cry and so glad Johnny Warrens words finally came true and what's happened ever since that day is just fantastic :D

This was absolutely breathtaking, honestly could have been a Hollywood production. It's incredible the things that this beautiful channel can make you feel. Great video and frankly brought the waterworks right towards the end.

Who’s back here after the WC2022 last 16 qualification?!!

I wish they didn't go for the soccer vs Rugbly League and Australian Football. My friends and I are passionate, paid up Victory members who also love supporting our AFL and local footy clubs. Heaps of Victory and City members love AFL. You can love Rugby League, Rugby Union, Association Football, *and* Australian Football - it doesn't have to be exclusive. Otherwise thumbs up for the great doco guys, that night was amazing. One day we'll host and win the FIFA World Cup.

As an Uruguayan I must admit, the aussies totally deserved that qualification. This is still amazing even 15 years later

Who's watching this after Australia beat Denmark last night?

An an American, our situations are eerily similar... Good Luck!

I'm and AFL and Soccer fan, and soccer fans are amongst the most passionate there are. I loved watching us win the Asian cup in 2015, I felt the disappointment of missing it most recently. But I felt so proud that we stuck it to France at the WC that they'd go on to win

Australian legends ! Makes me proud to be Australian ⚽️💪🌏

This is just why I love copa90. They bring so many stories from all around the world and document it in such a way that you feel the emotion of the fans. I got goosebumps in this video when they scored that final penalty, even though I've never really followed the Australian football team at all. Copa90 just does an awesome job at capturing what football is really about: pure emotion

Ive watched this vid like 10 times and every time I cry. Sad to see that Aus football has taken a step back from when this vid was posted but this season it's looking like it's being resurrected.

I'll never forget this day. I was excited all day for the lead up. In a family of 4, my dad and I were the only ones that loved football. After that Aloisi penalty, all of us were jumping around the living room going crazy. Football gained 2 new recruits in my family that day, and I can't even imagine how many more across the country. The feeling I had was one of the best and most joyful feelings I've ever felt in my life. Pure happiness that no other sporting code could replicate.

As a soccer-loving AFL fan, why can't we all just get along?

I'm English and this is amazing. The Australia fans are brilliant. Now always in the World Cup.

The nrl and afl are the traditional sports and soccer will never overtake them, but kudos to soccer fans for making their game what it is 👍

holy shit, I've still got that 2006 Socceroos badge set that Eli is holding at 16:13

I grew up in a small village in NSW in the 70’s and 80’s, we had a small soccer (football) club. Everyone child played for the club. I remember going to high school and being teased and called a Sheila and Poofter for playing wog ball. I didn’t care. I loved the sport. I’m now a life member of that little club. I watch every Socceroo game.

Respect! our story is being told. Thank you!!! And the deliberate lack of exposure from channel 7,9 & 10 can't stop this.

Thanks Copa 90 for the videos from Australia. The sport is growing rapidly here and is already the biggest sport at grassroots level. People don't realise the struggles the nation has been through to get to where we are, and we are on the way to amazing things. And it's true, November 16 2005 set the ball rolling. Great to see the exposure of football down under for the whole world to see.

I was there with my son and a few mates at the Olympic Stadium It was just crazy!!!!!! NEVER FORGET THAT MOMENT John Aloisi memories are forever!!! Love this country our country Australia!!!

its a great place to support football in Australia, Im 16 now and always follow the A-league, It's a really great league

As an Everton fan, I loved Australia with Tim Cahill in the side. Legend.

I owe it to my grandad, a passionate English immigrant, to teach me to play, enjoy and be passionate for football, to prepare my mind for the moment of November 16th, 2 days before my birthday, in front of my tele, in rural Queensland, having already been shoved on the roof to rotate and prep the antenna, to make sure the channel would give decent signal. There I was 17 years of age and about to be legal to drink and become a legal adult but the only thing I was thinking about is, "we need this, let us have this".... I'll honestly never forget this, ever.

The future of soccer in Australia is big. Being young and playing for many soccer teams, Ive seen a increase of young talented players. Scouts coming to Australia and overall I think the next 20 years Australia will be at its best.

The heroes in Australian's association football/soccer history: Johnny Warren, Mark Schwarzer, John Aloisi, Tim Cahill and Guus Hiddink. If it wasn't for Warren's persistent and aggressiveness to get the Socceroos out of the OFC and into the AFC and if it wasn't for those four men, Australia would've had the success they had since that night in 2005.

Where were you at 3:30am on December 1st 2022

I loved this so much, thank you copa90, brilliantly made

Since this video came out I’ve made it a habit to watch it every 16/11. As an 8 year old at the time that was the night I fell in love with football 💚💛

+Copa90 did you know: in 2001 Australia made history when they won 31-0 against American Samoa. most goals in a match

wish us Scots had excuses like witchdoctors...but we don't, we're just shite

truly amazing video man. bless you for making this

Absolutely awesome video, made me tear up. well done, thank you.

I think the U.S and Australia are very similar when it comes to soccer/football

I was 8 and on holiday in Sydney while the game was on, watched it in a courtyard on a big screen, still remember the crowd screaming when we scored, everything was just crazy for the rest of the night

amazing video!!! still feels great to watch today. Thankyou!!

i was on the top tear of the stadium with my dad and 4 best mates. i have been to many football matches but that is still the best atmospher i have been too...i thought the stadium was going to collapse.... awesome night and great wirk again copa90

I think the reason Australia didn't embrace soccer was because of the way the game is played. For me personally, I hated how the players would drop. I would actually get physically angry and start shouting at the tv (which I still do). When you grow up watching sports like AFL and NRL, soccer just seemed unbelievably soft. The speed of the game also didn't appeal to many I'd imagine, again because the sports we watch have constant action and are fast-paced. Kinda getting more into it now tho. Awesome docco, nice stuff

I am not an australian, never been there. But like others in South Asia, we knew how they good at in cricket and nightmare for us. But I don't think cricket poses that international merit to be proud of since there 3 or 4 teams. I always love to see Australia in soccer and this docu gives special feeling as if I am an Australian. hope for the best for socceroes

This is brilliant. Excellent piece, guys. Discovered you from the Tifo podcast and have binged a handful so far. Keep up the good work!

Thankyou for this.. best piece of aussie football journalism to date.. captured it perfectly

God damn right we should have always been a footballing nation. Could you imagine how good we would be if we didn't play rugby or AFL? Or if we just didn't care as much about cricket? Thank god for all of the Croatian Australia and Italian Australian players who just played and played and played.

That John Aloisi penalty was the best thing I have seen from the Socceroos

Eli's videos are by far my favorite ones on Copa90 he's great at doing these short documentary style videos! This one is just inspiring & should give hope to other fans from countries that haven't qualified for the WC yet. Also, shouts out to the cameraman or team with the amazing scenes & footage!!

Watching the highlights and hearing the commentary and the crowd still brings tears to my eyes

this video made me cry.

I love this video so much so many memories

Forever Australian..Forever proud!!!

I was 6 years old, in that stadium. That game was what launched by passion for football

As much as I love soccer being the stands last year at the AFL grand final supporting my team along with 100,000 other supporters just proved the love and support for Australian rules football will never be toppled. In simple turns the AFL grand final now is a public holiday, the A-league and soccer just doesn't have that control in Australia and not sure it will ever

Watching my home Trinidad and Tobago also Qualify for Germany 2006 after seeing Australia qualify for the tournament.

thanks for this copa 90!

Great video, really enjoyed watching this. Very factual and was interesting to hear story unfold. Massive thumbs up copa90

2023, there is still more work to be done with Football. -However, the A-Leagues quality of Football is getting better each season! More Local Footballers are getting their chances. The Cup and 2nd Division will improve the sport even more in Australia. The Mens and Womens! Both were entertaining Grand Finals, 2022/2023! Plenty of Goals scored in the season!!

I love the personal touch with Eli standing with his old signs on the street! great video as always! as an american I understand waiting for the sleeping giant to wake...

This was the first COPA 90 video I watched and probably still one of my favourites. I've been watching Copa ever since #BestChannel

I remember 1997... our team was probably at its peak about then... I could hardly speak for a couple of days after that.... But I was in the crowd with my mate at Stadium Australia in 2005, it was magic. Geez that Aussie team was good back then. Challenged Italy in the round of 16... bring those days back please.

this video along with the sydney derby video should be shown in every single school and high school in Australia, i actually mean that sadly not going to happen but they teach you a lot and show the passion behind the beautiful game

Still have the Harry Kewell Hearld Sun poster "Road to Germany" in my room. I was 6 at the time when I got the poster.

So much love and appreciation for this video And lol I drive pretty often past that intersection where Eli is standing in Brisbane

Great vid! Thank you.

I was eight- the first memory I have of Australian soccer is from Germany 2006 with Cahill, Kewell, Schwarzer etc

No disrespect to Johnny Warren, and he helped heaps, but Ange is even more passionate and is doing everything day and night to take us to the top ! Go Ange !

Beautiful video, brings tears to the eyes.

Still get goosebumps every time I watch these highlights

if the A-League was shown on free tv along with foxtel so many more people would be watching the the a-league right now and appreciate it more.

RIP LES MURRAY

What a fantastic doco -thankyou

Loving the Aussie content keep it up Copa!

I love watching Australian in the World Cup

Only thing I remember from the world cup from an Australians perspective was the Italian dive

I remember this like it was yesterday. I was a 12 year old West Australian, and Perth Glory FC had recently won the league for the second year in a row after losing the two finals prior. Just over a year later, Australia qualified for the World Cup for the first time in my lifetime.

Johnny warren!!! I got teary eyed just listenin to his story. Respect! We all love football. The worlds game!