They were the pictures that make Socceroos fans nostalgic.
Guus Hiddink, Aussie Guus, in the dugout ahead of a World Cup campaign.
Hiddink was named the coach of Australia’s team of the century, with the Dutch manager able to call upon a number of the players that made up that special team during his run to the round of 16 at the 2006 World Cup.
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Of course, his decision to demote goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, who was one of three in the squad, for the vital pool match against Croatia will go down in folklore.
Yet, Hiddink worked his wonders during a special run to the final 16, which began with an astonishing 3-1 victory over Japan in Kaiserslautern.
From Lucas Neill to Scott Chipperfield, Harry Kewell to Mark Bresciano, Tim Cahill to Mark Viduka and John Aloisi, Hiddink had a team that put the Socceroos back on the map.
So to see him urging the Socceroos forward, with his former assistant Graham Arnold next to him brought back vivid memories of a special time in the not so distant past.
The Socceroos managed to seal a clunky 1-0 win over their trans-Tasman neighbours in their centenary match, with a number of chances going begging in what was an underwhelming send-off before the Qatar World Cup.
They will head across the ditch to play another friendly on Sunday, with Arnold to ring the changes in what shapes as one of the last chances for players to push their World Cup case.
Arnold said Hiddink summed up what many thought of the Socceroos’ performance.
“He thought that (we were a) bit too rushed at times, turn over possession, sometimes over playing and, of course, but he thought that we should have had another one or two goals,” Arnold said in his post-match press conference.
Hiddink was in Australia for the announcement of the team of the century, but Arnold said his former boss would not be a part of the coaching team moving forward.
“No, this is for the 100-year celebration. That’s all,” Arnold said.
“He’s made a big sacrifice to come out and, as I said, my assistants over there watching in France and Denmark, and Guus has come out to obviously help with (the) 100-year celebration – he wanted to be part of it. And that’s it.”
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While Hiddink’s side was blessed with a wealth of experience and international class, Arnold’s side is far less recognisable.
Arnold said Hiddink’s “little chats with the players had been fantastic”.
Although the performance left a lot to be desired and was far from perfect, with a huge improvement needed if Australia is to progress out of their pool which includes defending world champions France, Hiddink said getting a win and continuing the momentum was “important”.
“Even if it’s a practice game, it’s very important for the confidence that you win,” Hiddink told Channel 10.
“This is not a bad team, New Zealand was a very skilful team.
“Although, I think we should, I talk about we, we should have marked I think one or two more goals.”
Meanwhile, Hiddink said he was “proud” of Arnold, who has returned for his second stint as the Socceroos’ manager having worked alongside the Dutchman during Australia’s World Cup campaign in 2006.
“I’m very proud of him,” Hiddink said.
“I worked with him in the past and when I see now how he managed everything, I’m very proud.”
