The trip to Brazil was memorable for a couple of fairly significant personal moments. The draw introduced me to a new feeling and emotion in which horror and excitement were delivered in equal parts. I am certain this coming year will see me reacquaint myself with this emotion.

The other significant aspect was that it brought back memories of 13 years ago, when the inaugural Club World Championship was held and my club, South Melbourne, was representing our then region, Oceania.

As champion of the NSL we had negotiated our way through a tricky qualification phase in Fiji, where a team from Solomon Islands had us down and out with 10 minutes to go and my president was ageing by the minute as he saw the opportunity of a lifetime disappearing before his eyes.

The players found the mental fortitude to get us over the line and then proceeded to steamroll our Fijian opponent in the final, where the major obstacle was the delay at the start of the game while officials cleared an influx of frogs from the pitch. It was crazy to think that such a prestigious opportunity was being fought out in an area where beach and sun should have been the priority.

At the draw we found out we would be playing at the famous Maracana stadium against arguably the most famous club in the world – Manchester United – and, just as importantly, our president finally found out the financial rewards on offer. I am sure he broke out in a cold sweat knowing how close we were to blowing it in the tropical setting just months before. They often say that your life can change in moments, and for quite a few people on that trip, life would never be the same.