Western United ALM coach John Aloisi opens up on the heart scare that threatened his life

In November 2005, John Aloisi etched his name in Australian sporting folklore.

With the weight of the nation upon him, the then-29-year-old remained composed as he slotted the decisive penalty in the shoot-out against Uruguay to book the Socceroos' first appearance at a World Cup in 32 years.

With the crowd roaring, an ecstatic Aloisi took his shirt off and ran around the field.

It's a moment forever engraved in the Australian psyche and the defining one of his football career.

But the defining moment of John Aloisi's life took place two years ago.

At the age of 43 and seemingly fit and healthy, the Socceroos legend began feeling short of breath.

«I had a gut feeling something wasn't right,» Aloisi told ABC Sport.

Despite having no other physical symptoms, he immediately saw a doctor, who referred him to a cardiologist.

The decision saved his life.

An echocardiogram found a tear in Aloisi's mitral valve, which is one of four valves in the heart that keeps blood flowing.

«I was in shock, it just snuck up on me,» he said.

«If I didn't get it checked, I could have dropped at any time because there was a lot of blood leaking out.»

Aloisi had no history of heart problems: the rupture was spontaneous.

He underwent open-heart surgery the following week, with his devoted wife and three daughters by his side.

«I tried to stay strong for the girls and let them know their dad was going to be fine.»

But deep down he was terrified, not knowing if he'd survive or fully recover.

His strong faith and Catholic upbringing was one major source of comfort.

«I prayed a lot, I can tell you that,» Aloisi said.

«Before going into hospital, there was a lot of praying, just trying to calm myself down because it's a major organ and you don't know how you're going