Date: 24/11/2001
By Michael Cockerill in Montevideo
Eight years later, Farina has returned with an identical goal, this time as coach. And despite all the tribulations of the past few days, the Socceroos are well poised to realise Farina's lifelong dream - the priceless commodity of a place in the World Cup.
Significantly, the last time the Socceroos lost a World Cup qualifier was the epic match in Buenos Aires against Argentina in 1993. If they can extend their unbeaten run to 16 games against Uruguay in Montevideo on Monday morning (AEST), it will be enough.
It is not just the passage of time and the width of the River Plate which separates the team Farina played in that evening and the one he now coaches. The fact that the Socceroos are unbeaten in 15 qualifiers and have outscored their opponents by the incredible margin of 108 goals to six in the process not only reveals a winning culture, but a ruthless streak.
It is that ruthlessness which will stand the Socceroos in good stead when they put their head in the lion's den of the Estadio Centenario. A campaign which got underway with a world record scoreline is set to end with an even bigger bang. Far from being intimidated by Thursday's unsavoury events at Montevideo airport, the players have been galvanised by them.
"Maybe it has added something, but to tell you the truth it's difficult to think of anything that would have made us more determined to qualify than we already were," said Kevin Muscat, whose goal in the first leg in Melbourne has given the Socceroos the lead in the tie.
"Obviously it's going to be hostile, and we've got our backs against the wall in that respect. But the important thing is we've got something to hold onto, while they've got to come out and get a goal. The boys will work together and be as resilient as we can."
Certainly the Socceroos now reflect the character of their coach - tough, resilient and determined. As a player, Farina loathed losing, even in training games. He has instilled the same fierce will to win in the current crop of Socceroos.
Which makes Australia favourites to become the 32nd and final team to progress to the World Cup, despite the daunting task in front of them.
Farina has made it clear that, much as he was disgusted with the jostling and spitting he and his players received when they touched down in Uruguay, he now wants to look ahead.
"As much as it was disappointing, it's behind us now and we just move on," Farina said.
Having been embarrassed by what amounted to a serious breach of security at the airport, the Uruguayan federation and local police have since bent over backwards to make amends.
The Socceroos were given a police escort rivalling a head of state for the trip to their training venue at the Bella Vista, while the ground was ringed by police, including a complement wearing full riot gear. Security at the team hotel has also been beefed up, with police outside the entrance, in the lobby and on the two floors occupied by the Socceroos.
Team manager Greg Woods intends to maintain the pressure right up until the Australian team is due to fly out of Uruguay immediately after the game. Having been spat at several times himself, he is in no mood to let his hosts off the hook.
Increased security, of course, only means the public cannot get to the players. It does not diminish the feelings of the Uruguayan fans. Australia may have failed in seven attempts since 1974 to qualify for the World Cup, but for a country which defines itself by the results of its national team, a hat-trick of failures will be almost too much to bear - which, in local eyes, makes the Socceroos legitimate targets.
Also, there is reason to believe Uruguay can improve. The return from a shoulder injury of the team's top scorer, Dario Silva, provides a huge psychological boost. Silva will partner Frederico Magallanes in a genuine two-man attack, with Uruguay's class act, Alvaro Recoba, prompting from behind. Recoba proved in Melbourne what a brilliant player he is, even though he was tired and Socceroo skipper Paul Okon heard him asking coach Victor Pua to take him off.
One other change might be made by the home side, with experienced defensive midfielder Gonzalo Sorondo drafted back into the squad despite having not played for three months with his club side, Inter Milan.
Fatigue, however, clearly remains a factor for Uruguay, who have crossed the Pacific twice in the past 10 days. The Socceroos remain fresh by comparison.
And Farina certainly has no plans to change his game plan.
"Put it this way, we won't be man-to-man marking Recoba," he said. "We haven't done that in two years, and we won't start now.
"As for Uruguay, I can't see them changing dramatically the way they play. Teams don't do that at this level."