For so long Australia's modern World Cup history was all about the near misses in qualification. The Aussies would habitually reach the last play-off stage only to fall at the final hurdle - as they would on six occasions between 1966 and 2002. So, in 1974, there was great relief as another play-off was reached and, for a change, won at South Korea's expense. Led by captain Peter Wilson, the mostly amateur and domestically based Socceroos squad that traveled to West Germany lasted only for the duration of the group stage as expected. Australia didn't manage to score in any of their three games either but did have the minor consolation of earning a point from a goalless draw against Chile.