There are fewer than two months until the 2018 FIFA World Cup and, as part of the run-up to Russia, we are profiling every Australian player who's been to the tournament.
The latest member of our countdown is Ivo Rudic, a member of the 1974 squad and perhaps one of Australia's original FIFA World Cup bolters.
READ: FIFA World Cup: Countdown for the Caltex Socceroos
Cap number: N/A
World Cups played at: 1974
Age at World Cup: 32
Clubs played for:
Ryde, Yugal-Prague, Pan-Hellenic
Best World Cup moment:
Rudic was one of three uncapped players chosen in the 1974 squad and, although he played under Rale Rasic at Pan-Hellenic, never won an international cap.
His best moment in West Germany actually come off the pitch.
After five years apart, the Split-born defender was reunited with his parents during the tournament after they travelled from Croatia to Hamburg.
Career highlight:
A big, strong defender, Rudic was considered one of the finest players in New South Wales throughout the early to mid-70s.
One of his biggest moments came when he played in a friendly for a NSW state representative side against Bristol Rovers just a month out from the 1974 FIFA World Cup.
The touring Rovers had just been promoted to the second tier of English football and proved too strong in a 3-0 win, despite the presence of Rudic and several West Germany-bound team-mates.
Post-playing career:
Rudic sadly passed away in November 2009 aged 67.
Did you know?
Despite his international inexperience, Rudic was Australia's second-oldest player at the 1974 tournament.
Johnny Watkiss, born 10 months prior, was his only senior.
*Photographs from the Les Shorrock, Laurie Schwab and Anton Cermak collections are used with permission from Deakin University Library, Eileen Shorrock and Mrs Jana Cermak.
