Grella rubs glitter off the Golden Generation

Australia's famed Golden Generation weren't quite so golden after all, according to Vince Grella, one of the kingpins of Guus Hiddink's celebrated class of 2006.

Tim Cahill celebrates his goal with Grella, Mark Bresciano and Brett Emerton during an international against the Netherlands in June 2006 , in preparation for the FIFA World Cup in Germany Source: Getty Images

Less than two weeks before an ANZ Stadium reunion to mark the 10-year anniversary of the heart-stopping penalty shootout win over Uruguay, former midfield ace Grella insisted that golden ones weren't any shinier than the Socceroos team that heartbreakingly failed to qualify in 1997.

In a frank appraisal of a side that included exceptional talents like Mark Viduka, Harry Kewell, Mark Bresciano, Tim Cahill, Scott Chipperfield and Mark Schwarzer, Grella said: “We had a very good team but, to be honest, I don’t think it was our best ever.

“The results we managed were what created so much interest around the team … there were sides before us that were as strong, particularly the team of '97 who lost to Iran at the MCG."

That side blew a 2-0 lead in the second leg of the World Cup qualifying play-off to go out on away goals in a shattering night for Australian football.

That Socceroos line-up included a teenage Kewell and a youthful Viduka and Craig Moore, as well as SBS chief football analyst Craig Foster, and were coached by crafty cockney Terry Venables.

"I don’t see a massive difference between the teams … I think people always underestimated how hard it was it make the finals of the World Cup because we have had some really strong teams down the years," Grella - now a player agent - said.

"We were beaten by Argentina before the Iran game (1993), and have always been knocked out by big footballing nations."

Grella believes had Hiddink been at the helm, the Socceroos of '97 would have been on their way to France and the Golden Generation label would have been bestowed upon them instead.

“If they'd had Hiddink I think they would have made the World Cup because the team at his disposal, even though they were missing Paul Okon, were, for me, just as strong as we were," he said.

“Guus brought a certain tactical awareness to our country that wasn't there before. His attention to detail was spot on and in the end that made the difference. He was the right man at the right time for us.

“The team he inherited was identical to the one which hadn’t done well at the Confederations Cup the year before (losing all three games)  - there were no massive changes.

“So why was there such a big change in performance and results? The reality is when you bring in a coach of Guus' stature, they bring stuff to the table that isn't there before.

"He gave us a no fear mentality against any opposition ... a lot of it was down to us being more tactically prepared and to have a coach of his level in our corner who believed in us."

Grella will join Bresciano, Viduka, Schwarzer and Hiddink on the ANZ Stadium turf on Monday 16 November to laud the night that John Aloisi's penalty kick sealed passage to Germany and ended 32 years in the World Cup wilderness.

But he is not leaving his base in Italy to bask in the reflected glory of a decade ago.

He accepted the invitation to instead pay homage to the achievements of departing FFA chief Frank Lowy, and his trusted lieutenant Phil Wolanski, with the pair’s departure from the board coinciding with the gala reunion of the great and good of 2006.

Always more bashful than boastful, Grella said:  "What I achieved in my career is there for people to see and comment on - but whatever they say the facts are there.

“I am at a stage now where it's behind me now ... It’s in the past now.

"I am coming to Australia more for respect for people inside the federation ...  for Mr Lowy, who some people always seem to find a problem with.

"But I think he's done an unbelievable job for the game with the amount of time and passion he has put into it.

“He deserves this respect, so for me I am coming back for Frank Lowy and Phil Wolanski than anything else.

“It will also be good to see Guus again … it's been a long time since we crossed paths.”