Flares. Limbs. Scenes.
Federation Square was rocking early on Thursday morning after the Socceroos escaped the World Cup group stage for just the second time in the country’s history with a one-goal win against Denmark.
Socceroos fans go wild in Federation Square, Melbourne.Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui
“I don’t think I’ve ever [experienced] an atmosphere like that in my life,” said Ali Soufan, who travelled from Broadmeadows to Melbourne’s CBD to watch the match on the big screen.
With him, Hassan Yehia, Haydar Yehia and Jad Soufan were buzzing just as much.
“I’ve been to many football games in my life and nothing can top that, honestly. I can’t even put it into words,” Soufan said.
“I was like, ‘damn, this is the best feeling’. The atmosphere was crazy. Everyone around me was screaming. [There were] flares. It was amazing,” Haydar said.
Soccer fans light flares at Fed Square during the Australia v Denmark World Cup match.Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui
Security was bolstered at Fed Square after raucous scenes on Saturday night, when Australia secured its third win in World Cup history with a one-goal triumph against Tunisia. Authorities were setting up plenty of temporary fencing to control the crowd before it turned up. And boy, did they need it.
Thousands packed into Melbourne’s famous square and set about creating an atmosphere unrivalled in recent Australian sporting memory.
Fed Square had told attendees in a tweet not to bring flares or beer. Well, when winger Mathew Leckie scored, those near the rear of the square soon couldn’t see the screen as it was shrouded in a glowing wall of red flare mist.
There were some mishaps. A riot almost broke out when the broadcast cut out midway through the first half. But eventually, several thousand revellers were glued to the screen, biting their fingernails and green-and-gold scarfs, waiting for the final whistle.
Mathew Leckie celebrates after kicking Australia’s winning goal.Credit:Getty Images
Many of the crowd were young people in their late teens or twenties. For them, only a few would have vivid memories of when John Aloisi scored to send Australia to its first World Cup in 32 years back in 2005.
But almost all the football diehards (yes, we’re not calling it soccer today) among the heaving mass at Federation Square would have seen the YouTube clips of Melbourne’s central plaza going off when Aloisi’s penalty went in.
Now, in 2022, this was the next generation’s Australian football moment.
Noah Slater was with his mum, Cassie, when Leckie scored to put Australia ahead, easing the anxiety that had circulated in the crowd moments earlier after Tunisia had taken the lead against France. If Leckie hadn’t broken the deadlock, the Socceroos would be flying home since Tunisia won.
Noah Slater and Cassie Slater.Credit:Lachlan Abbott
“As a Melbourne City fan, I was just proud. He’s not a standout player that you thought would be scoring it,” said Noah Slater.
“It’s just hard to put into words. It’s really emotional because it’s the first time in my lifetime – I wasn’t old enough for [the] 2006 [World Cup]. It’ll be the equivalent.
“Runs like this make you fall in love with the game. And it’ll make a whole generation fall in love with the game.”
Amelie Blackham, Josie Wong, Keisha Jacobs and Maya Jacobs also travelled from Melbourne’s south-east for the broadcast. The four girls play in the same football team at Mentone Grammar.
Socceroos fans Amelie Blackham, Josie Wong, Keisha Jacobs and Maya Jacobs.Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui
“We just came to this one because it’s our most exciting one. It’s like our make-or-break,” Keisha Jacobs said.
Before the game, the group thought Denmark would be too strong and the Socceroos would be eliminated.
But they’ll now have to consider coming back at 6am on Sunday morning to watch Australia all over again.
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