Football Australia announces Socceroos’ ‘Team of the Century’ ahead of New Zealand clash
With the Subway Socceroos’ final match on home soil prior to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 now just hours from kick-off, Football Australia has announced the twenty-three players, coach, and assistant coaches selected by fans and historians in the Socceroos’ ‘Team of the Century’.
2022 marks 100 years since Australia’s first men’s ‘A’ international took place in Dunedin, and tonight the Subway Socceroos and New Zealand will go head-to-head at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium for the 65th time.
Ahead of the encounter, Football Australia confirmed the list of those selected and honoured, after over 110,000 individual player and coach selections were digitally submitted by supporters throughout August and September.
In addition to the sixteen fan selections, Football Australia’s Panel of Historians nominated seven additional players to be recognised in the team, which includes at least one representative from each era of the Socceroos’ storied and iconic history.
In goals the Socceroos’ ‘Team of the Century’ would be well-served with Mark Schwarzer, Mathew Ryan or Jimmy McNabb between the sticks.
At the back, international attackers would dread coming up against defenders with the steel and skill of Scott Chipperfield, Joe Marston, Craig Moore, Lucas Neill, Alex Tobin, Tony Vidmar, and Peter Wilson.
In midfield, Australia would possess class, composure, and creativity with Mark Bresciano, Brett Emerton, Mile Jedinak, Harry Kewell, Aaron Mooy, and Johnny Warren pulling the strings.
While in attack, goals would rain from the boots and heads of ace internationals including John Aloisi, Tim Cahill, Reg Date, John Kosmina, Judy Masters, Alf Quill, and Mark Viduka.
Tactically and motivationally, the Socceroos’ ‘Team of the Century’ would be ready for any challenge, with Guus Hiddink as Coach, supported by assistants Ange Postecoglou, Graham Arnold, and Rale Rasic – four men that have made outstanding contributions to the Australian game and the Socceroos’ FIFA World Cup story.
The Socceroos’ ‘Team of the Century’ will be highlighted at tonight’s international friendly in Queensland, which will kick-off at 8pm AEST and be broadcast exclusively live across Australia on Network 10 (10 Bold and 10 Play).
A special video will be broadcast in Stadium as part of the pre-match show, as well as in the 100 Years of the Socceroos function to be held at the game.
Also at tonight’s match, Socceroos players from multiple generations will form a guard of honour as the teams take to the field, while five players, or their descendants, will receive their Socceroos caps at half-time.
Individuals or families of those receiving acknowledgement tonight include Steve Perry (cap 273), Frank Farina (cap 329), the late Jock Cumberford (cap 4), the late William Dane (cap 5), and the late Dave Ward (cap 11).
Socceroos’ ‘Team of the Century’
Players: John ALOISI, Mark BRESCIANO, Tim CAHILL, Scott CHIPPERFIELD, Reg DATE*, Brett EMERTON, Mile JEDINAK, Harry KEWELL, John KOSMINA*, Joe MARSTON*, Judy MASTERS*, Jimmy MCNABB (Gk)*, Craig MOORE, Aaron MOOY, Lucas NEILL, Alf QUILL*, Mathew RYAN (Gk), Mark SCHWARZER (Gk), Alex TOBIN, Tony VIDMAR, Mark VIDUKA, Johnny WARREN, Peter WILSON*
Head Coach: Guus HIDDINK
Assistant Coaches: Graham ARNOLD, Ange POSTECOGLOU, Rale RASIC
*Denotes player selected by Football Australia’s Panel of Historians