In 2008, Bateson started following the Socceroos exploits on home and away trips along the road to the 2010 South Africa World Cup and over the next nine years he travelled to 17 countries.

Bateson’s most memorable moment in his Socceroos odyssey occurred in 2008 when Australia played a World Cup Qualifier away in Uzbekistan and he and 40 other Australian fans converged on Tashkent.

“When we entered the Pakhtakor Stadium over an hour before kick off, the roar from the already packed home crowd was immense - it was like a cauldron,” he said.



“In the first half, a sublime cross by Luke Wilkshire was met by a Scott Chipperfield header and Australia eventually held on to win 1-0.

“After the final whistle the outpouring of emotion culminated in the whole Socceroos team coming over to their fans section for mutual salutes, and spontaneously, lots of player's shirts, boots and other attire were thrown over the high fence to our eager supporters 

“Luckily for me, this included Wilkshire's match shirt it was a wonderful finale to a unique occasion and the best away trip I've ever experienced with our national team.”

Wilkshire remembers the match vividly and told FourFourTwo that throwing the gear to the fans was a gesture to thank them for their dedication to the Socceroos’ cause.

“At the time it was massive game and a massive win for us,” he said.

“There is a small group of fans that travelled to such places to support the team and every now and then against some certain teams we gave fans our shirts as a sign of respect.”

Bateson revealed that after the Tashkent experience similar events started occurring.

“In September 2011, in Dammam after the Socceroos  3-1 win over Saudi Arabia, I got the goalkeeping gloves of Mark Schwarzer,” he said.

“Then in October 2012 in Doha after the Socceroos come from behind 2-1 win against Iraq, Alex Brosque gave me his match shirt.

“In June 2015 in Bishkek after a 2-1 win over Kyrgyzstan, Tomi Juric again gave me his match shirt.

“That was followed up in November 2017 in Sydney after the 3-1 win over Honduras in the final play-off for qualification, I was given the squad shirt of Craig Goodwin 

“Plus at the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa before the Argentina vs Mexico 3-1 win in Round of 16, the Argentine fans gave me a brand new 'made in Buenos Aires' replica team shirt in the original wrapper.” 

Looking back over his time following the Socceroos, Bateson said it was an honour to have had these memorable experiences.

“It’s been an epic journey,” he said. “The people I’ve met across different cultures, the landscapes, food, it hasn’t been just about the football.

“I’ve made so many wonderful friendships with so many Socceroos fans, staff and players.

“I've been privileged to have been given so many wonderful and unique items of memorabilia during the Socceroos World Cup qualification pathways.

“It’s very personal because the players have got to know me, they realise how committed I’ve been and they realise how important the away support is in these very challenging environments all around Asia.”

 Do you have a piece of World Cup memorabilia like Pablo Bateson's Tomi Juric shirt packed away in pristine condition for a rainy day?

Hyundai Australia are looking for your best items of World Cup memorabilia and will reward one winnerwith an all-expenses paid trip to Moscow for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Final! 

To find out a bit more about the competition or enter your most prized World Cup item, go to; https://worldcup.hyundai.com/au/