Vital statistics
Born: 12 December, 1975, Sydney, Australia
Height: 186 cms
Weight: 76 kgs
Debut: v Ghana (W1-0),
Adelaide, June 1995
Last Match: v Italy (L1-0),
Kaiserslautern (GER), June 2006

CRAIG MOORE has experienced his fair share of highs and lows in the game over the last two years. Leaving Scottish Premier League side Rangers after more than a decade of success in January 2005, the 31 year-old defender endured an lukewarm spell at German side Borussia Moenchengladbach, before being struck down by injury after signing a deal with Premier League side Newcastle United in July 2005.

Where lesser men may have given up, Moore pushed even harder to regain his form and fitness, the lure of a place in the Australian World Cup squad proving an adequate incentive.

With less than three months before Australia’s first game against Japan, Craig made his debut for Newcastle – becoming the first Aussie to don the black and white stripes – and subsequently won his place in Guus’s final 23.

In Germany, Moore was ever-present in a defence that grew stronger as the tournament progressed. Personally, Craig’s high point came when he scored the Socceroos first goal from the spot on that amazing night against Croatia on June 22.

Now one of the team’s elder statesmen, Moore is hoping to help lead his country to Asian Cup glory before calling time on an illustrious career.

Looking back to the World Cup, what were your thoughts when you were losing 1-0 to Japan with only six minutes to go in the first game?
We knew we needed to get at least a draw to have any hope of getting through to the knock-out stages, so we were starting to get a little bit worried. A defeat would have meant our World Cup campaign was over before it had really begun. We were by far the better side in the game, but the scoreline didn’t reflect that, nonetheless we kept on going right until the end and turned the game around. Our equaliser was typical Timmy Cahill, arriving late in the box, and then he produced a stunning goal to put us in front.

How do you reflect on the next game against the then champions Brazil?
We went into it without any fear and wanted to have a go, so we were disappointed to lose 2-0. For large parts of the game we were in control. The first goal went through Chipper’s legs, so our keeper didn’t get a good sight and then they scored another late on when we had pushed up. When they were winning 1-0 we had a great chance to equalise through Harry Kewell but he didn’t take it. Harry said he had his celebrations already in his mind before he had scored it. He couldn’t believe he missed. That would have made it 1-1, so who knows what would have happened?

The final game against Croatia in Stuttgart was a wonderful night. What are your memories of qualifying for the knock-out stages?
That night felt like a victory, but it was actually a draw. It should have been a 3-2 victory but Graham Poll blew the whistle a second before we scored at the end. However, we knew a draw would be enough to take us through. It was a real rollercoaster ride for the 95 minutes of the game. We conceded an early goal through a fantastic free-kick before I equalised from the penalty spot.

Describe your emotions at scoring such a crucial goal?
I knew it was a big moment because it meant we would go in at half-time all level and gain the momentum to get the result we needed. I wasn’t nervous when I stepped up to the penalty spot; I knew I wanted to make good contact, and then the goalkeeper made it easier for me by diving so early, so I put it down the middle. As soon as I struck it I knew it was in, and seeing it hit the back of the net was a fantastic moment. It was extra special scoring in front of the Australian fans who were wonderful throughout the whole tournament. We were back in the game and though we conceded again, we got the draw we needed with Harry’s goal. The truth is if we hadn’t have got out of the group stage, our tournament would have been considered a failure. It was a relief to avoid that.

How did it feel qualifying for the knock-out stages?
It was a brilliant, brilliant moment. We came out after the final whistle for a lap of honour to thank our fans, who were a different class in Germany. Walking around with all the Australian songs like Men At Work and AC/DC playing will live with me forever. That was one of the best moments of my career.

A few days later you experienced that agonising defeat to Italy...
We were extremely positive throughout the whole tournament, but when Italy went down to 10 men with 35 minutes remaining we didn’t ask enough questions of their defence. The Italians love to defend, they are the best in the world, and we couldn’t get them. It wasn’t immediately after the game but a few weeks later that I sat back and thought that we had such an amazing opportunity to progress in the World Cup. We were still feeling pretty confident in the last minute with the score at 0-0, but then the Italians won that penalty. I was devastated when the referee pointed at the spot.

How would you sum up the whole experience in Germany?
I am just tremendously proud about it, and have so many great memories. I loved it from the moment we arrived to the moment we left. OK, it wasn’t our time, but we came away from the tournament with the world knowing we had a good side who could really play the game. We put ourselves on the map. I came away with a few souvenirs; I got Gennaro Gattuso’s shirt from the Italy game, and Dado Prso’s shirt from the Croatia game because I played with both of them for Rangers. I’ve also still got my Australian jersey from the Croatia game, which was signed by all the guys. I intend to get it framed and stick it on the wall. Looking at it will always bring back good memories.

How do you feel about Australia now playing in the Asian Football Confederation?
I am a big fan of it and reckon it is a welcome change. It is an exciting time to be involved. But I have to say before joining it I am so glad we managed to qualify for the World Cup the hard way through a two-legged play-off.

How do you see the Socceroos’ chance in the Asian Cup next year?
Japan and South Korea will be our main rivals, but I reckon we have a good chance of doing very well against them and the other teams. If we play as well as we did at the World Cup we can hopefully win it.

Graham Arnold is now in charge. What will he bring to the team?
Arnie got on very well with Guus Hiddink, they were a good team. So I am pretty sure our style of play and training methods will remain the same. That is important because we had success with them. I know Arnie will do a fantastic job because he knows the boys inside out. The national team is in very good hands with him.

There was talk of some of the senior players retiring after the World Cup. How do you see your own future now with the Socceroos?
I did consider retiring from international football after the World Cup, and it is still something on my mind. I believe the next two years are very important for Australian football and we’ve got to make sure we continue moving in the right direction. I suppose there will be an initial dip, that is inevitable, because it will be difficult to repeat the highs of the World Cup so soon, but I don’t expect it to last long. It is important that the young players like Michael Beauchamp get a chance with the national side. At the moment I don’t want to make any rash decisions because I am fit and well and enjoying my football. As long as it isn’t a distraction to my club football then I will continue to play for Australia. I have thought about the highs of the World Cup and whether I can repeat that, so I want to pick the right time to bow out. To do that after winning a major tournament like the Asian Cup next year appeals to me. I do realise it is important to develop a group of players to go forward to the next World Cup. It isn’t about me or the other players, it is about what is best for the team and their future success. I think I would have to rule myself out of playing at the World Cup in South Africa in 2010. Realistically that isn’t going to happen.

Would you recommend that young players go to play in Europe as soon as possible?
It is a difficult one because the Hyundai A-League has been a huge success. However, I’m sure clubs realise their best players will go to the European clubs. That isn’t a bad thing because if players do well for clubs in Europe it will benefit the national team. I went to Rangers when I was only 17 but the times were different then as we didn’t have the Hyundai A-League at home. You have to be careful and choose the right moment because you don’t want to come to Europe and never get a game. Maybe it is more important to stay in Australia playing every week and develop your game. Then if they are head and shoulders above everyone else it will be time to move on.

How are you enjoying playing for Newcastle this season?
I have been loving playing regularly and the challenge of the Premiership. I am fit and well and having a good time. I have started every game so far this season, which is wonderful after my injury problems last season. Newcastle are a big club with big ambitions and I relish playing with that pressure. It has been a mixed start, but this season we want to win a trophy, and try to improve on last season’s seventh place finish.