Our star statto @AndyHowe_statto reveals why Socceroo skipper Mile Jedinak’s gorgeous set-piece against Germany on Thursday morning (AEDT) was incredibly special for another reason.
The Socceroos’ impressive performance in the backyard of the world’s number one ranked nation included a significant landmark goal – Australia’s 1000th in official A international matches.
Mile Jedinak’s early second-half strike to put the green and gold ahead of reigning world champions Germany in Kaiserslautern comes almost a century after - and on the other side of the world too - Australia’s first goal in an A international match, in New Zealand in 1922.
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Australia’s first 1000 goals came in 508 A international matches across 60 countries and 120 cities.
It’s been a worldwide 93-year history filled with highs and lows that’s created a story in itself, and continues to unfold on the path to the next World Cup.
Let’s look at the other milestone goals on the long and eventful road to number 1000:
Goal 1: Bill Maunder (40’) L 1-3 v New Zealand (in Dunedin) 17 June 1922 – Friendly match
Newcastle’s Bill “Podge” Maunder scored Australia’s historic first goal in a full A international match during a tour of New Zealand almost 100 years ago, on a cold mid-winter’s day in the far south of the country.
Goal 100: Frank Parsons, W 8-1 v New Zealand (Auckland) 11 September 1948 – Friendly match
After initially struggling against the Kiwis in the early years, by the 1940s Australia had asserted its dominance in the Trans-Tasman rivalry. Frank Parsons put six past the hapless New Zealanders in the last of four tests in 1948, where Australia scored a combined 23 goals to one – Parsons netting 12 of these.
Goal 200: Johnny Warren (56’) W 3-1 v Rhodesia (Laurenco Marques) 29 November 1969 – World Cup qualifier
The most revered Captain Socceroo of all time scored an important goal for Australia who needed to win the tie-breaker match against Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) after the first two matches in ‘neutral’ Mozambique ended 1-1 and 0-0. It meant progression to the final stage of 1970 World Cup qualifying.
Goal 300: Gary Cole (62’) L 1-2 v Greece (Melbourne) 11 June 1978 – Friendly match
One of Australia’s most prolific scorers of the time, Heidelberg’s Gary Cole scored his first of 21 goals for the Socceroos in the first of a three-match series against Greece, at Olympic Park.
Goal 400: John Kosmina (12’) W 2-0 v New Zealand (Sydney) 3 November 1985 – FIFA World Cup qualifier
“Kossie” scored first in a revenge victory against the old rivals, whom Australia had not defeated in the previous four World Cup qualifying confrontations. The win secured Australia’s first place in the Oceania qualifying group, and progression to a final qualification play-off tie against Scotland.
Goal 500: Carl Veart (19’) W 1-0 v Ghana (Adelaide) 21 June 1995 – Friendly match
Adelaide boy Carl Veart scored the winner in his home town as Australia won its second of a three-match series against the touring Ghanaian team, ranked 27 in the world at the time.
Goal 600: Stephen Laybutt (12’) W 3-0 v Hungary (Budapest) 23 February 2000 – Friendly match
Laybutt from Parramatta Power opened the scoring in what ended up being Australia’s biggest win against European opposition in Europe in an A international at the time. The Socceroos were coached by Frank Farina.
Goal 700: Archie Thompson (75’) W 11-0 v Samoa (Coffs Harbour) 16 April 2001 – FIFA World Cup qualifier
Just five days after scoring a world record 13 goals in a World Cup qualifier against American Samoa, Thompson scored the fifth of 11 against Samoa as the Socceroos rampaged their way through Oceania qualifying for the 2002 World Cup. It had only been 14 months since Australia scored its 600th.
Goal 800: Archie Thompson (68’) W 7-0 v Solomon Islands (Sydney) 3 September 2005 – FIFA World Cup qualifier
Archie yet again made the scoresheet with Australia coasting to a 9-1 win on aggregate against Oceania preliminary qualifying group runners-up Solomon Islands, setting up a momentous final qualifying tie against Uruguay.
Goal 900: Robbie Kruse (83’) W 6-0 v Uzbekistan (Doha) 25 January 2011 – AFC Asian Cup Semi Final
In just its second Asian Cup campaign the Socceroos put on one of the most one-sided knock-out match performances in the tournament’s history, with young substitute Robbie Kruse scoring Australia’s last of six goals in the semi and securing a final confrontation against Japan.
Goal 1000: Mile Jedinak (50’) D 2-2 v Germany (Kaiserslautern) 25 March 2015 – Friendly match
Away to the world’s reigning champions and number one ranked nation, captain Jedinak put his injury-hit side in front in an impressive display where Germany were ultimately lucky to score in the last ten minutes to snatch the draw.
Follow Andrew Howe’s Aussie football stats updates on Twitter @AndyHowe_statto