Veteran signs off after two decades at top

By Michael Cockerill
August 5, 2005

Professional to the end, Aurelio Vidmar just held off the weight of emotion when he announced his retirement at a hastily-arranged media conference in Adelaide early this week. A legend left the stage with his head held high and his tears in check. As has been the case throughout his decorated career, there was no looking back. Vidmar still has much to offer the game. He can be just as good a coach as he was a player. And he was one of the finest footballers this country has produced.

Not the biggest. Not the strongest. Nor the quickest. But one of the smartest. Vidmar could see the game split-seconds ahead of the opposition. Sometimes he was even too smart for his teammates. Countless times a pass into space would be met with an acknowledgement from a teammate that he should have been there. He should have read the intent.

Vidmar read the game like a book. It's why he scored so freely during his peak, and it's why he lasted so long. He could see a tackle coming, and get out of the way before the boot came flying through. He could also see a move develop two or three passes ahead, and arrive in the penalty area just in time to be presented with an open goal. That's how he scored against Argentina in the 1993 World Cup play-off in Sydney. A run towards the near post, and an angled volley to convert a cross from his brother, Tony. Two Vidmars embraced, and a full house went wild. It was the signature moment of his career.

But not the finest. That came four years later, again in the World Cup play-off. This time against Iran in Melbourne. Vidmar scored one, and laid on another as the Socceroos had one hand on the holy grail of qualification. It's bitter history that defeat (on away goals) was snatched from the jaws of victory. Some people have made Vidmar the scapegoat for missing some chances. What rot. Without his contribution, Australia would never have got so close.

Now, though, his legs can't do what his brain is asking of them. At the age of 38, he has hung up his boots. Boots which carried him through an incredible 20 seasons of top-grade football.

It started in his hometown with Adelaide City, and appropriately ended in the same town, this time with Adelaide United. In between, he played professionally in five other countries, was voted Oceania player of the year in 1995, finished top scorer in the Belgian league the same year, and scored the winning goal in the Swiss Cup final (for Sion) the following season. Vidmar also played 44 times for the Socceroos, every time with enormous pride.

He would have been the oldest player in the A-League if he had carried on, but he has fallen just short of the starting line. Instead he will start the new era as a coach, learning the ropes as understudy to John Kosmina. Happily, "Viddie" will be around for a long while yet.
