'It was my time': The purple patch that lead Holman to FIFA World Cup glory

Tuesday marks the ten year anniversary of Brett Holman’s iconic goal that put the Socceroos 2–0 up against Serbia at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Picking the ball up from deep, Holman drove forward at pace before cracking a thunderbolt from 35 yards to beat Serbia keeper Vladimir Stojković.

Talking recently with Daniel Garb on the Greats with Garby Podcast, Holman explained the heightened sense of confidence and energy behind his ambitious run and finish. 

“It was born from the (pre-tournament) camp in South Africa and scoring against New Zealand before we left,” Holman told Greats with Garby.

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“The whole lead up, I felt great and everything just seemed to fall into place.”

Leading into the World Cup Holman had become a regular starter for Dutch side AZ Alkmaar after winning the 2008-09 league title with the Eredivisie powerhouse.

After scoring in Australia’s send off match against New Zealand, Holman again found the back of the net against Ghana in the Socceroos opening match of the tournament.

WATCH: Holman scores v Ghana

Testing himself in an elite European league week in, week out coupled with his solid Socceroos form played a part in his decision making against Serbia that night in Nelspruit.

“Nine times out of ten I wouldn’t have shot from there,” claimed Holman.

“It was ambitious to shoot from that far.”

Ambitious perhaps but spectacular – undoubtedly, especially considering he ran at a defence featuring Nemanja Vidić and Branislav Ivanović, while also managing to get away from now-Sydney FC midfielder Milos Ninkovic.

Brett Holman Serbia
Holman celebrates his goal

Although defeating Serbia, the Socceroos ultimately fell short of progressing into the next phase of the FIFA World Cup but Holman’s sensational strike lives long in the memory of any Socceroos fan.

We now know Holman’s strike that flashed past in milliseconds had far more meaning and preparation then initially met the eye.

“Every moment in our training camp I was pumped,” explained Holman.

“I was hungry, I felt it was my time.”

GHANA GAME: The brutal words that kick-started Socceroos' FIFA World Cup 2010 campaign

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WATCH: Holman talks through his goal v Ghana
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This article was originally published on the Socceroos website.
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