Socceroos fans pack Federation Square as World Cup fever takes over Melbourne CBD
Updated ,first published
A treacherous flame has flared in the sea of green and gold at Federation Square ahead of Australia’s high-stakes World Cup clash with Paraguay.
Socceroos fans were encouraged to queue before sunrise on a cold morning, forcing officials to open the gates early and the live site quickly reaching capacity.
Crowd controllers used megaphones to send hundreds of Socceroos fans down to the Yarra to watch the game on the big screen at AAMI Park.
Federation Square early resembled an open-air nightclub as fans, mostly in their teens and early 20s, began counting down to the 12pm kick-off.
The DJ’s fans heard a mix of Australian favorites and classic hits, including the anthem from Men at Work Below, Sweet Caroline Written by Neil Diamond and Gala Freed from Desire.
Less than an hour before kick-off, a flare went off in Federation Square as the crowd began to grow impatient ahead of the big game.
Many young people in the group joined in football chants, jumping and occasionally throwing plastic bottles.
“I feel like I’m on a school trip,” said football fan Philip Klenkowski, 32.
The FIFO worker luckily didn’t have to take a day off and said he made a lot of friends even though he came alone.
“Everyone is very friendly,” he said.
Ringwood man Sam Pragnell, 21, and Ferntree Gully resident James Ventura, 22, were thrilled to be among the thousands to achieve this.
“It’s pretty loud and exciting, a little bit harsh,” Pragnell said.
Charlie Nagy came to the CBD last week for the Socceroos’ 0-2 defeat to the USA. He and two friends left his home in Watsonia at 7.30am to find a location again for Friday’s clash, but they were too late.
They were still hoping to get a spot inside. “I’ll be behind the barrier, don’t worry,” he said. “We’re going to party,” he said.
Jeremy Lawler, 18, said his parents supported him skipping the last day of school to watch the Socceroos with his friends.
“It’s very loud, but everyone is cheering each other on,” he said.
The atmosphere is enthusiastic as groups frequently chant slogans.
“Absolutely crazy atmosphere,” Rocco Colaci said.
He and his friend Sinan Uçar enjoyed the relief of being able to arrive at Federation Square after queuing since 7 am.
Elsewhere in Melbourne’s CBD, workers wore Socceroos scarves and shirts to the office.
A much smaller group of Japanese fans gathered in the neighboring Transport bar to watch their team draw 1-1 against Sweden and book a place in the knockout stage as the second-placed nation in Group F.
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Rachel Ward is an Australian director and screenwriter.
