The current Brisbane Roar coach famously cemented his status in Australian footballing folklore with that penalty in 2006 to break the nation’s 32 year FIFA World Cup™ drought.

With Australia now set to take part in their fourth consecutive FIFA World Cup™, the new era of Caltex Socceroos’ are all in debt to Aloisi’s crowning moment against Uruguay to some extent.

POLL:  Vote for your Caltex Socceroos XI to face France The landscape has well and truly shifted from the days of Aloisi, Kewell and Schwarzer, but according to the Adelaide-born 42-year-old, some things never change when donning the green and gold of Australia.

“I always recalled when I played for Australia I just felt invincible so I know that the players that step forward on the pitch at the World Cup will feel the same,” Aloisi told brisbaneroar.com.au.

The Caltex Socceroos’ Group C opener with France is only three days away, prompting a nervous countdown across the country as Bert van Marwijk’s side prepare to battle the 1998 Champions.

Les Bleus present a daunting opening task for Australia, who have not beaten France since 2001 – when Clayton Zane’s strike handed Frank Farina’s men a 1-0 Confederations Cup win.

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READ: Day 24 Wrap: Training screamers after team photo fun But despite the challenging road ahead, Aloisi is urging Australia to harness the nation’s battling spirit as van Marwijk’s men aim to progress to the elimination round for the first time since 2006.

“This World Cup is probably going to be more A-League players than ever before.

“Are we going to do well? It’s hard to say.

“I know that one thing is for sure: that whenever players put on the green and gold they lift.

“No one will give us much of a chance of getting through the round but I think we could shock a few people.”
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