The history of Australian international football begins, officially, in 1922 with the 3 'test' tour of our nearest neighbours New Zealand. The Kiwis would in fact be our major opponents for a number of years, as they would also be for the Matildas. Series were intermittent over the next 40years with Commonwealth countries Sth. Africa, Canada & India being our most common foe. Tours were organised by sides from Hong Kong under the banner 'China', Palestine, English FA and a number of European club sides... Hajduk, Rapid Vienna, Ferencvaros & Blackpool being the most notable.
The 1956 Olympics marked Australia's first venture into international competition but it wasn't until 1965 that the Australian team would compete for a place at a FIFA World Cup. We were beaten for a spot in the finals by the giant killers of England '66, Nth. Korea, in a 2-game series in Phnom-Penh, but that first foray would whet the appetite for a rapidly expanding local game.
We went within a goal of qualifying for Mexico in 1970, but in 1973 a single 25-yard drive from the late Jimmy McKay, catapulted the Socceroos, as they were then to become known, onto the World stage.
West Germany in '74 was our first glimpse of the world game from the inside as we took on the hosts, their neighbours East Germany & Chile. For a team of amateurs the Socceroos handled themselves with aplomb and won many friends both here and abroad, but it would be a further 32 years and now in the re-united Germany, before local fans could again join the ranks of those supporting a competing team.
Japan, Brazil, Croatia & Australia made up Pool F and with a come from behind win over Japan & a draw against Croatia, Australia progressed to the last 16. They drew Italy and went within a whisker of taking one of the game's giants to extra time. The tens of thousands of Green & Gold clad fans who traveled to Europe left well sated and filled with the anticipation of future competition following Australia's shift to the Asian confederation from Oceania and the promise of stiffer and more regular preperation through the qualifying process.
Australia qualified for both South Africa & Brazil under 2 different coaches but it was the appointment of South Melbourne great Ange Postecoglou following 2 humiliating 6-0 losses to Brazil & France, that left fans feeling as they really had something to anticipate.
After a poor first 20 minutes (nerves) against Chile, Australia took the game to The Netherlands & reigning champions Spain to win the respect of the doubters, and the world.
Less than 6 months later and on home soil, Australian fans showed the footballing world how the game had developed down under. Full house signs were up at stadia all over the country for the 2015 Asian Cup. The hosts made their fans and more importantly, their predecessors, the more than 500 players who had worn the Green & Gold, proud, very proud, taking out the final against Sth Korea in extra time in front of a capacity crowd of 84,000 in Sydney. A new day had dawned and we Australian football fans now look forward with real hope each time our national team takes to the field to represent not only their country, but also us, those supporters both old and young.
The Socceroos took the most circuitous route of any nation to qualify for 2018 in Russia playing 22 matches including 2 play-off series against first Syria & then Honduras after which Postecoglou announced he would not be with the team in Russia & at the time of writing we are still awaiting the announcement of a new coach.
The beautiful game is alive and thriving right from the GrassRoots up but there is always controvesy around the corner... enjoy the ride.
The 1956 Olympics marked Australia's first venture into international competition but it wasn't until 1965 that the Australian team would compete for a place at a FIFA World Cup. We were beaten for a spot in the finals by the giant killers of England '66, Nth. Korea, in a 2-game series in Phnom-Penh, but that first foray would whet the appetite for a rapidly expanding local game.
We went within a goal of qualifying for Mexico in 1970, but in 1973 a single 25-yard drive from the late Jimmy McKay, catapulted the Socceroos, as they were then to become known, onto the World stage.
West Germany in '74 was our first glimpse of the world game from the inside as we took on the hosts, their neighbours East Germany & Chile. For a team of amateurs the Socceroos handled themselves with aplomb and won many friends both here and abroad, but it would be a further 32 years and now in the re-united Germany, before local fans could again join the ranks of those supporting a competing team.
Japan, Brazil, Croatia & Australia made up Pool F and with a come from behind win over Japan & a draw against Croatia, Australia progressed to the last 16. They drew Italy and went within a whisker of taking one of the game's giants to extra time. The tens of thousands of Green & Gold clad fans who traveled to Europe left well sated and filled with the anticipation of future competition following Australia's shift to the Asian confederation from Oceania and the promise of stiffer and more regular preperation through the qualifying process.
Australia qualified for both South Africa & Brazil under 2 different coaches but it was the appointment of South Melbourne great Ange Postecoglou following 2 humiliating 6-0 losses to Brazil & France, that left fans feeling as they really had something to anticipate.
After a poor first 20 minutes (nerves) against Chile, Australia took the game to The Netherlands & reigning champions Spain to win the respect of the doubters, and the world.
Less than 6 months later and on home soil, Australian fans showed the footballing world how the game had developed down under. Full house signs were up at stadia all over the country for the 2015 Asian Cup. The hosts made their fans and more importantly, their predecessors, the more than 500 players who had worn the Green & Gold, proud, very proud, taking out the final against Sth Korea in extra time in front of a capacity crowd of 84,000 in Sydney. A new day had dawned and we Australian football fans now look forward with real hope each time our national team takes to the field to represent not only their country, but also us, those supporters both old and young.
The Socceroos took the most circuitous route of any nation to qualify for 2018 in Russia playing 22 matches including 2 play-off series against first Syria & then Honduras after which Postecoglou announced he would not be with the team in Russia & at the time of writing we are still awaiting the announcement of a new coach.
The beautiful game is alive and thriving right from the GrassRoots up but there is always controvesy around the corner... enjoy the ride.
Video courtesy of ABC archives.
