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.
Team of The Century
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.
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