Branko Buljevic

Branko Buljevic was a key man in 1974, starting all three of Australia's group matches including 90 minutes in the nation's FIFA World Cup debut against East Germany.

One of three Victorian-based players included in the final squad, he had played a vital hand in securing qualification.

Australia's dreams were fading fast in the final round as they trailed 2-0 to South Korea in Seoul, the first leg in Sydney having finished scoreless.

But Buljevic scored to spark a fightback that forced a 2-2 draw and a decisive third meeting in Hong Kong, where Jimmy Mackay's famous rocket confirmed Australia's passage.