Fenech’s plea: Die for cause
DIE for each other, die for Australia and be prepared to die yourself for victory.
This was the highly-charged video message from one of Australia’s greatest sportsmen which inspired and captivated a Socceroos side that is heading to the 2022 World Cup.
Coach Graham Arnold turned to his sporting hero, former world boxing champion Jeff Fenech, to energise the Socceroos before they qualified for a fifth successive World Cup with a dramatic penalty shootout win over Peru in Doha.
Fenech spoke passionately in the video obtained by News Corp and 10 minutes after fulltime, amid the wild celebrations, Arnold was straight on to the phone to thank him.
In the video, Fenech told the Australian players: “Be prepared to die out there for Australia. As a matter fact, f--Australia, do it for yourself. Be ready to die to win – do this for yourself.
“This has been put in your hands. You have a job to do. Graham has told you what to do, now go out and do it.
“Half the world, half of Australia mightn’t think you can win but guys, as a team, you can beat anybody.
“Love each other, die for each other and do Australia proud. Believe me that I believe in you guys. I know you can win. Love you guys.”
When the video ended, four catch phrases flashed up: Think it, Speak it, Believe it, Receive it. Highlights of Fenech’s immense career were interspersed into the two-and-ahalf minute video message.
Against the odds in 1985, Fenech won a world title in just his seventh professional bout against Japan’s Satoshi Shingaki, who entered the bout undefeated in 26 fights.
Fenech told the Socceroos: “Me, going out to that world title fight, I was on my own. Everyone doubted me, nobody believed I could win. But guess who believed and guess who won? I did. Individually you guys have to play better than you’ve ever played.
“You’ve got to make sure you give that guy that you’re playing against hell. Let him know you’re mentally prepared, you’re physically prepared and you’re ready to do battle.”
Fenech said the video message was organised.
“Arnie rang me and asked how I was feeling on my own before my world title fights,” Fenech said. “He asked me 100 questions and I told him how confident I was before each fight because of my preparation.
“We spoke about a lot of things and he said, ‘Jeff, can you put a video together and say something to the boys’. Arnie said they were in awe and watched it so intently. They put some background footage in.
“Arnie rang me 10 minutes after fulltime. He thanked me and said he could see it was in their eyes when they watched it.
“My exact words to him were to enjoy this moment because there is more hard work to be done. Celebrate now but there are more mountains to climb at the World Cup.
“Those that doubted me just made me hungrier. I told Arnie I wanted to win more for Johnny (Lewis, trainer) than for myself. I wanted to repay that faith he had in me. Arnie and I have this amazing relationship.”
Arnold may again use Fenech in the World Cup build-up.