Thirteen years after being denied Spanish Cup glory, John Aloisi can finally look forward to a little payback in Brisbane Roar's AFC Champions League playoff against Filipino side Ceres-Negros on Tuesday night.
Veteran goalkeeper and ex-Real Betis gloveman Toni Doblas has emerged as the key for an underdone Ceres-Negros outfit that has had just seven training sessions together before the playoff at Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre.
But Aloisi has Doblas in his sights for another reason.
Aloisi revealed Doblas was the man who denied his Osasuna outfit in Spain's 2005 Copa del Rey final as Real Betis hung on to claim a 2-1 win in front of 55,000 people.
Aloisi got the better of Doblas to score an 82nd-minute equaliser for Osasuna in the 2005 final but it wasn't enough as Real Betis went on to secure a famous extra-time win.
Former Socceroo Aloisi - who enjoyed overall seven seasons in Spain during his glittering playing career - was hoping to turn the tables more than a decade later.
"I have played against him. I think I might have scored against him...but I do remember him very well," Aloisi said of the 37-year-old Doblas.
"He's got a lot of experience now. He was a little younger when I played against him."
Doblas won't be the only familiar face for Aloisi on Tuesday night.
Ceres-Negros coach and ex-Serbian international Risto Vidakovic starred in seven seasons in Spain which ended at Osasuna in 2001 just as Aloisi arrived.
Vidakovic hoped Doblas could again leave Aloisi frustrated on Tuesday night.
"He's an experienced 'keeper. He has played these types of games before - he can give us a lot," he said.
"He (Doblas) has mentioned him (Aloisi) before this game because they played the 2005 Spanish Cup final against each other - of course they remember each other, they shared a special game."
A win will book a playoff clash with Tianjin Quanjian in China next week with the victor securing a chance to contest the Champions League group stages.
The Roar must also prepare for Saturday's A-League clash with Central Coast at Gosford.
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