It doesn’t get more tense than this. Extra time, followed by a penalty shoot out against a team who thought they had a ‘divine right’ to be at the 2006 World Cup. Up steps the man of the hour, John Aloisi…

"That means that if John Aloisi can score this goal, Australia will be there. Here’s Aloisi for a place in the World Cup. He scores! Australia has done it!"

After 31 long years, the Socceroos played Uruguay for a chance to reach the 2016 World Cup in Germany.

“At last. At long last… 31 years, four months and 24 days have passed since Australia ended it’s campaign in the ‘74 World Cup. And now, finally, belatedly, wonderfully and joyfully Australia is back on the biggest stage.”

With only nine minutes remaining on the clock, the Socceroos were a goal down against Japan in their first game of the 2006 World Cup. Cue nine minutes of absolute mayhem…

"Cahill. C-A-H-I-L-L! Tim Cahill has done it again! What a goal by Tim Cahill. 2-1 Australia. Oh, it’s a wonderful moment in Kaiserslautern."

The Socceroos faced Croatia in their final group game of the 2006 World Cup in Germany. All they needed was a draw to take them through to the next round…

"Bresciano… towards Kennedy. Might drop for Harry Kewell. Harry Kewell has done it! Australia’s golden boy has come up with a golden goal. And we’re back tied at 2-2."

Despite being the spiritual home of football in Australia, Newcastle were yet to win an A-League Grand Final. In 2008 they had their best chance yet, but could they beat their arch rivals away from home in the harbour city?

"Tony Vidmar caught in possession by Mark Bridge. BRIDGE! Oh! Brilliant! Advantage Jets in the Grand Final. Close to the Sydney Harbour, it just had to be Bridge who got the first goal. What a goal. What a strike. What a moment for the Jets."

In 2012, Australia's newest 'old' club entered the big time, and God it was good.

"This ladies and gentlemen is football."

Under Ange Postecoglou, Brisbane Roar were a powerhouse. But could they win back-to-back A-League Grand Finals against Perth?

"The orange order is restored."

In their four attempt, could the Central Coast Mariners finally claim their first Grand Final win against the Western Sydney Wanderers?

"Few would begrudge I’m sure the Mariners of this moment. They cried tears of despair two years ago. Today it is tears of joy. They are the smallest club with the biggest hearts."

In a major coup, Alessandro Del Piero, the Italian World-Cup-winning star put pen to paper with Sydney FC to become the biggest star the A-League had ever seen. The question was though, did he still have the hunger to perform…

"30,000 people holding their breath here as Del Piero prepares to take this free kick. DEL PIERO! That’s what they came to see. That’s why Sydney FC paid the money. That is the measure of the man."

In front of a packed partisan home crowd, Adelaide United are facing the mighty Wanderers in the 2016 A-League Grand Final…

"It’s going to be Isaias. Oh! Isaias the Spaniard. Si, senor. Si!"

In a dramatic finale, Sydney FC prevailed over Melbourne Victory to win the 2017 A-League Grand Final 4-2 on penalties.

"If this goes in it’s Sydney’s crown. Ninkovic scores! Dreams have come true in Sky Blue."

Away from home against the A-League champions, Melbourne Victory was up against it. What’s worse, they let their slender lead slip via an own goal from Terry Antonis. Surely they couldn’t come back from there in extra time?

"Antonis has no right to get through there really, but still he goes on. O’Neil giving chase forlornly. Still Terry ANTONIS! Has he won it for Melbourne Victory? The villain turned hero in navy blue!"

Away from home against the A-League champions, Melbourne Victory was up against it. What’s worse, they let their slender lead slip via an own goal from Terry Antonis. Surely they couldn’t come back from there in extra time?

"Antonis has no right to get through there really, but still he goes on. O’Neil giving chase forlornly. Still Terry ANTONIS! Has he won it for Melbourne Victory? The villain turned hero in navy blue!"

In front of 56,371 passionate away fans, could Sydney FC win their fourth Championship against Perth Glory — the best team in the competition?

"Against the premiers. Against the odds. A long way from home."

Simon Hill, 19 May 2019