Former Plymouth Argyle defender Kari Arnason will be dreaming of reaching the 2014 World Cup in Brazil next summer with Iceland when the European Play-Off matches get underway.
Standing in the way of the Scandinavian island reaching their first major tournament final is a two-legged tie with Croatia, and for Arnason it would indeed be a rags-to-riches journey if Iceland were to make it to Brazil.
His two-years at Home Park were not the best of times for the Pilgrims, the club's financial meltdown saw them enter Administration as well as back-to-back relegations. His departure from Argyle was triggered by a refusal to defer his wages- Arnason and the rest of the Pilgrims' squad were forced to defer their wages during 2011; up until James Brent's takeover of the club was completed- which led to him joining Aberdeen.
He is currently plying his trade with Rotherham United in League One, and made a return to Home Park in Argyle's final home match of the 2012-13 season, which Rotherham won 1-0.
However despite the problems Arnason faced during his stay with the Pilgrims, he still proved to be one of Argyle's better performers during those two years, and he became the 500th player to score a league goal for the Pilgrims when he found the target in their 4-1 win over Reading on December 28th 2009.
If Iceland were to overcome the Croats and make it to Brazil next summer, if would represent a huge upsurge in their footballing fortunes that has seen them rise from being ranked 131st in the FIFA rankings to their current standing of 46th.
It would also see Arnason join the likes of Paul Mariner, Tony Waiters and Billy Bingham on the list of former Pilgrims' personnel who have been involved in the finals of a World Cup.
Footnote: Arnason's former Pilgrims' teammate Rory Fallon-who became the first Plymouth Argyle contracted player to appear in a major finals when he played for New Zealand in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa- is unlikely to be making a second appearance at the finals after New Zealand lost the opening leg of their Play-Off match with Mexico 5-1.
