
Soccerscene is saddened by the passing of Rale Rasic.
Aged 87, he is regarded as a much-loved figure of Australian football, while he is also a Football Australia Hall of Fame member.
Originally from Bosnia, Rasic arrived in Australia in 1962 and and joined up with Footscray JUST, securing the State League championship and Dockerty Cup as a taste for what was to come.
From 1969 his coaching career took off, highlighted by a Victorian State League championship and a national Under-16 title. In August 1970, he was appointed as the national coach of the Socceroos, where theey achieved a 12-match unbeaten streak during their 1972 world tour, remaining undefeated during their tour of Asia.
Rasic was the catalyst behind Australia’s first-ever appearance in the FIFA World Cup Finals in Germany. This achievement saw him named the inaugural National Soccer League Coach of the Year with Marconi Fairfield in 1977 and got the same honour again in 1987 with Apia Leichhardt. Additionally, Rasic won the national league championship and the NSL Cup, proving that he was one of Australian football’s most influential figures.
His efforts were then rewarded once more – in 2001, he was awarded the Australian Sports Medal and the Centenary Medal for his exceptional “services to soccer.” In 2004, Rasic was honoured with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his outstanding contributions to soccer as a player, coach, and administrator.
Rasic was a popular member of the football community, often sharing stories from what was a half-century involvement in the game and we are all grateful for his contributions.
Football Australia Chairman Chris Nikou expressed his heartfelt condolences on behalf of Football Australia and the entire Australian football community.
“Today, we mourn the passing of a giant of Australian football in Rale Rasic,” said Nikou. “His dedication to representing Australia and his remarkable achievements as a player, coach, and administrator will forever be etched in our nation’s football history. Rale’s influence extended beyond the game, shaping the careers of numerous players, and leaving an indelible mark on the sport he loved,” he said via press release.
Current Socceroos’ head coach Graham Arnold expressed his devastation of the news.
“Rale changed the game in Australia in 1974, qualifying Australia for the first World Cup ever,” Arnold said.
“The amount of passion and love that Rale had for football has never drifted too far away from myself and he has been a great inspiration for me over the years.
“He was such a great man, he loved a chat, and loved a story, and he always kept those stories going and that motivated a lot of people in life.
“I never had the privilege of playing underneath him, but I have no doubt there are a lot of guys that played under him that would be devastated today to hear this news,” concluded Arnold.
Soccerscene wishes to extend its condolences to family members and close connections of Rale.
In memory of Rale Rasic, the Socceroos will wear black armbands during their upcoming match against Argentina in Beijing, China.