Brett Holman’s top 5 moments for the Socceroos
Six years ago on Thursday, Brett Holman announced his international retirement after a stellar eight years donning the green and gold.
A 21-year-old Holman burst onto the Socceroos’ scene when he made his debut against Bahrain on February 22, 2006.
Across 17 seasons, Holman made 382 appearances and scored 70 goals throughout his club career, which saw him feature in the Dutch Eredivisie, Premier League, UAE Pro League as well as the Hyundai A-League.
However, his service to the national team will always stick long in the memory of Socceroos supporters. He made a total of 63 appearances for the green and gold and was a part of two Asian Cups as well as one FIFA World Cup throughout his eight years representing Australia.
To honour Holman’s international career, we relive his five best moments in the green and gold.
5. Getting off the mark
Holman opened his Socceroos account in a friendly against China in 2007. His first goal for the green and gold came as an early gift as he celebrated his 23rd birthday only three days after the encounter.
He and Mark Bresciano caused the opposition plenty of headaches that day with Holman grabbing the first goal before Bresciano wrapped up the scoring to secure the 2-0 victory.
4. The road to Brazil
Holman was one of the key members that secured the Socceroos’ passage to the FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil.
He became a key member of the green and gold and was selected for all the national team’s FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in 2013 by Socceroos coach, Holger Osieck.
He scored a vital equaliser against Oman in a 2-2 draw in one of the crunch qualifiers that year while he also started the match against Iraq which saw Australia book their ticket to Brazil with a 1-0 victory.
3. Showcasing Australia at the Asian Cup
Holman and the Socceroos squad which took part in the AFC Asian Cup 2011 were there to prove their doubters wrong and announce Australia as true tournament contenders after an underwhelming showing at the previous instalment in 2007.
Holman started all of the Socceroos’ matches in the 2011 Cup and notched one goal in the Socceroos’ opener against India.
Australia finished runners up in the Qatar-based tournament, losing 1-0 after extra-time to old foes Japan in the final.
However, Holman and his side’s performances in Qatar set the precedent of what to expect from the Socceroos in future AFC Asian Cups.
2. Australian Men’s Footballer of the Year
In 2012, Holman was awarded the Australian men’s footballer of the year by the Professional Football Association (PFA).
The 28-year-old had just enjoyed one of his best seasons in his club career with AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands and had become one of the first names on the Socceroos’ team sheet.
He became a mainstay throughout the early stages of the FIFA World Cup 2014 Qualifiers, getting on the scoresheet twice in crucial fixtures against Oman and Thailand.
1. 2010 – A year to remember
His best year in the national team set up was 2010, where he scored twice in the FIFA World Cup in South Africa and ended the year as the Socceroos’ top goal scorer with four to his name.
Two of Australia’s three goals at the 2010 World Cup came from Holman. The first arrived in the 1-1 draw against Ghana whilst his second goal against Serbia in the final group stage encounter proved to be the winner as the Socceroos secured a 2-1 victory.
Holman’s two other goals for the green and gold that year came in international friendlies against New Zealand and Poland.
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