On March 29, 2005 the Socceroos faced Indonesia in a friendly at Subiaco Oval in Perth – a match used to raise relief funds for those affected by the Asian Tsunami months earlier.
The Socceroos eased past the Indonesians 3-0 thanks to two goals from a man who’ll be sitting on the Socceroos’ bench on September 3 when they return to the WA capital.
Ante Milicic bagged two goals for Australia that night with David Zdrilic grabbing a late third for the Socceroos.
GALLERY: Socceroos tackle Indonesia in 2005
Milicic, who went on to play and coach in the Hyundai A-League, is now one of Ange Postecoglou’s assistant coaches as Australia plot a fourth consecutive FIFA World Cup qualification.
Other names in the Australian squad that night in Perth included current Western Sydney Wanderers coach Tony Popovic, his club’s new goalkeeper coach Zeljko Kalac, WA favourite Stan Lazaridis, brilliant defender Jon McKain and Socceroo great Brett Emerton.
In fact it was fan favourite “Laza” who set up the first goal for Milicic on 24 minutes.
The winger sent a cross into the box and Milicic's deft header glanced the ball into the far net to open the scoring.
A second goal came 15 minutes after the break. Popovic winning a header from a corner and Milicic was Johnny on the spot to get a slight touch and guide it home.
A host of substitutions were made in the second half as the game lost a little of its momentum in its final stages.
Zdrilic wrapped up the scoring in the final five minutes to make it 3-0 on the night.
An easy win for the home nation but, more importantly, vital funds were raised for those affected by the Tsunami in Asia months earlier.
