LISTEN: History FC - Rale Rasic on the 1974 World Cup

Former Socceroos coach Rale Rasic speaks to Adrian Arciuli about the 1974 FIFA World Cup.

(Left to Right) Australia's Jimmy Mackay, Jimmy Rooney, coach Zvonimir 'Rale' Rasic, Johnny Warren and Doug Utjesenovic in Switzerland before the 1974 World Cup Source: Getty Images

WATCH the next of our FIFA World Cup classic matches - Netherlands v West Germany 1974 final - this Thursday June 11 at 2:30pm (AEST) on SBS and streamed via The World Game website / app and SBS On Demand.

In this edition of History FC, Rasic discusses the difficult qualifying journey, coming up against West Germany and whether this was the greatest achievement in Australian football history.0:45 – How Australia qualified for the 1974 World Cup

2:28 – Victory doesn’t immediately sink in for the players

3:37 – A hero's reception at Sydney Airport

4:04 – Why the world knew little about the Socceroos

5:30 – Who was Ray Baartz?

7:00 – How Ray Baartz’s career was cut short

7:30 – Rasic explains his disputes with Arthur George

9:54 – Australia learns their World Cup opponents

11:20 – The Socceroos begin their campaign against East Germany

13:13 – Jim Scane steals the headlines

14:40 – Australia looks to shock West Germany

17:10 – The Socceroos aim to finish on a high

18:40 – The everlasting memories of the 1974 World Cup

20:22 – Is this the greatest achievement in Australian football?