Sources: Australian Soccer Weekly and ASF Annual Report.

Olympic Games Qualifying Matches
Friday February 26 1988 Bruce Stadium, Bruce, Canberra Referee: Gopalan Kanna (Fiji) Attendance: 2,500
AUSTRALIA Jeff Olver, Wally Savor, Charlie Yankos, Gary McDowall, Alan Davidson, Mike Petersen, Oscar Crino, Paul Wade, Frank Farina, Graham Arnold, John Kosmina Coach: Frank Arok Cautions: Nil Goals: Arnold 36, 72, Davidson	3	-	0	Chinese Taipei T-Shiu Chien, Lin-Chin Ching, Chin-Sheng Ko, Huang Kuo-Feng, Chih-Hong Lin, Jung-Tsung Liu, Chen Sing-An, Chun-Lung Wang, Yi-Wen Wang, Kuo-Ming Wu, Lin Wu Coach: Lo Chih-Tsung Cautions: Nil
The second leg of the Group One Olympic games pre-qualifying tie was played in Canberra. Australia advanced to the next stage of qualification while Chinese Taipei went into a play-off against Western Samoa for a spot in the main second round.
Oceania Group One Olympic Qualifying Standings Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts 1 AUSTRALIA 2 2 0 0 6 0 6 4 2 Chinese Taipei 2 0 0 2 0 6 -6 0 3 Papua New Guinea 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Note: As Group 1 winners, Australia advanced to the second round of Oceania Olympic Qualifiers. With Papua New Guinea withdrawing Chinese Taipei qualified for the Playoff round against Group Two runners up Western Samoa.
Sunday March 6 1988 Olympic Park, Melbourne Referee: Hernan Silva Arci (Chile) Attendance: 9,518
AUSTRALIA Jeff Olver, Wally Savor, Charlie Yankos, Gary McDowall, Alan Davidson, Mike Petersen, Oscar Crino, Paul Wade, Frank Farina, Graham Arnold, John Kosmina Coach: Frank Arok Cautions: Nil Goals: Yankos 71 pen, Farina 90+1	2	-	0	Israel Boni Ginzburg, Avraham Cohen, Avraham Cohen, Nir Alon, Menashe Shimonov, Eli Cohen, Uri Malmilian (Mordechai Ivanir 64), Nir Klinger, Daniel Brailovski, Eliezer Driks, Roni Rosenthal Coach: Milenko Mihic Cautions: Nil
The second round of Oceania Olympic Games Qualifiers was held as a round robin tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
Wednesday March 9 1988 Hindmarsh Stadium, Hindmarsh, Adelaide Referee: Shizuo Takada (Japan) Attendance: Not Recorded
AUSTRALIA Mike Gibson, Alan Davidson, Andy Koczka, Alan Hunter, Mike Petersen (Paul Wade 46), Alex Tobin, Oscar Crino, Tom McCulloch, Scott Ollerenshaw (Frank Farina 86), Jimmy Patikas, John Kosmina Coach: Frank Arok Cautions: Nil Goals: Tobin 21, Crino 61, Patikas 88	3	-	2	Chinese Taipei Lineup Included; Kau Feng Hang, Chan Hin-Wu, Chi Hou, Chih-Hong Lin, Yi Liu, Shi U-Chien, Kuo-Ming Wu Coach: Lo Chih-Tsung Cautions: Nil Goals: Chan Hin-Wu 18, Shi U-Chien 87
Sunday March 13 1988 Sydney Football Stadium, Moore Park, Sydney Referee: Hernan Silva Arci (Chile) Attendance: 10,498
AUSTRALIA Jeff Olver, Wally Savor, Charlie Yankos, Gary McDowall, Alex Tobin (Graham Jennings 56), Paul Wade, Jimmy Patikas (Scott Ollerenshaw 72), Oscar Crino, Graham Arnold, Frank Farina, John Kosmina Coach: Frank Arok Cautions: Nil Goals: Patikas 39, Crino 60, Farina 64	3	-	1	New Zealand Clint Gosling, Richard Mulligan, Richard Herbert, Ceri Evans (c), Duncan Cole, Paul Halford, Daniel Halligan, Michael McGarry, Robert Ironside, Paul Nixon (Colin Walker 7), Declan Edge (Noel Barkley 81) Coach: Kevin Fallon Caution: Mulligan Goal: McGarry 40
Australia remained unbeaten in the group with a 3-1 win over arch rivals New Zealand in Sydney.
Sunday March 20 1988 Queen Elizabeth II Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand Referee: Georges Sandoz (Switzerland) Attendance: Not Recorded
Israel Boni Ginzburg, Avraham Cohen, Avraham Cohen (c), Nir Alon, Yaron Parselani (Nir Levin 66), Eli Cohen, Uri Malmilian, Nir Klinger, Avinoam Ovadia, Daniel Brailovski, Roni Rosenthal Coach: Mijenko Mihic Cautions: Not Recorded; Red Card: Ovadia	0	-	0	AUSTRALIA Jeff Olver, Charlie Yankos, Gary McDowall, Wally Savor, Graham Jennings, Paul Wade, Oscar Crino, Graham Arnold, Frank Farina (Mike Petersen 70), David Mitchell, John Kosmina (Jimmy Patikas 85) Coach: Frank Arok Cautions: Not Recorded; Red Card: McDowall 60
Australia played a physical game against the Israeli' in a match which saw six bookings and 68 fouls led to the sending off of Australian defender Gary McDowall for stomping on the head of an opponent.
Wednesday March 23 1988 Athletic Park, Wellington, New Zealand Referee: Georges Sandoz (Switzerland) Attendance: Not Recorded
New Zealand Clint Gosling, Grant Turner, Richard Herbert, Ceri Evans (c), Malcolm Dunford (Paul Nixon 62), Paul Halford, Daniel Halligan, Robert Ironside, Duncan Cole, Michael McGarry, Fred De Jong Coach: Kevin Fallon Cautions: Not Recorded Goal: McGarry 10 pen	1	-	1	AUSTRALIA Jeff Olver, Wally Savor, Charlie Yankos (c), Alan Hunter, Paul Wade, Graham Jennings, Oscar Crino, Graham Arnold (Jimmy Patikas), Mike Petersen, David Mitchell, John Kosmina (Frank Farina 68) Coach: Frank Arok Cautions: Not Recorded Goals: Farina 74
Australia remained unbeaten after a one draw with New Zealand in Wellington.
Sunday March 27 1988 Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand Referee: Berny Ulloa Morera (Costa Rica) Attendance: 1,200
Chinese Taipei Lineup Not Recorded Coach: Lo Chih-Tsung Cautions: Not Recorded	0	-	3	AUSTRALIA Jeff Olver, Wally Savor, Charlie Yankos, Alex Tobin, Graham Jennings, Paul Wade, Mike Petersen (Tommy McCulloch), Frank Farina, Oscar Crino, Graham Arnold (Scott Ollerenshaw), John Kosmina Coach: Frank Arok Cautions: Not Recorded Goals: Arnold 2, Farina 19, Wade 77
Australia qualified for the Seoul Olympics with a 3-0 win over Chinese Taipei and finished top of the group.
Oceania Second Round Olympic Qualifying Standings Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts 1 AUSTRALIA 6 4 2 0 12 4 8 10 2 Israel 6 4 1 1 17 3 14 9 3 New Zealand 6 2 1 3 5 7 -2 5 3 Chinese Taipei 6 0 0 6 3 23 -20 0
Note: Australia advanced to the Seoul Olympic Games topping the second round group from Oceania.
Friendly Matches - 1988 Bicentennial Gold Cup
Wednesday July 7 1988 Olympic Park, Melbourne Referee: Richard Lorenc (Australia) Attendance: 11,214
AUSTRALIA Jeff Olver, Wally Savor, Charlie Yankos, Robbie Dunn, Graham Jennings, Paul Wade, Oscar Crino, Alan Davidson (Robbie Slater 73), Frank Farina, Graham Arnold, John Kosmina (Vlado Bozinoski 73) Coach: Frank Arok Cautions: Not Recorded	0	-	1	Brazil Claudio Taffarel, Jorge Campos "Jorginho", Aloisio Alves, Ricardo Gomes (c), Nelsinho Kerchner, Geovani Silva, Ademir Kaefer (Milton De Souza 85), Valdo Candido, Hamilton De Souza "Careca" (Eduardo Santos "Edu" 62), Luis Da Costa "Muller", Romario Faria de Souza Coach: Carlos Alberto Silva Cautions: Not Recorded Goal: Romario 31
To celebrate Australias Bicentennary, the Australian Soccer Federation organised a Gold Cup tournament. They invited two very experienced and highly credentialled national teams in Brazil and Argentina and an up and coming nation in Saudi Arabia. Played in a round robin format, the top two sides would play-off in the final at the end of the series.
Friday July 9 1988 Parramatta Stadium, Parramatta, Sydney Referee: Bill Monteverde (Australia) Attendance: 11,396
AUSTRALIA Jeff Olver, Charlie Yankos, Wally Savor, Robbie Dunn, Graham Jennings, Paul Wade, Alan Davidson, Oscar Crino, Frank Farina (Vlado Bozinoski 82), Graham Arnold (Robbie Slater 71), Scott Ollerenshaw Coach: Frank Arok Cautions: Not Recorded Goals: Ollerenshaw 6, Farina 40, 82	3	-	0	Saudi Arabia Abdullah Al Deayea, Ezzaki Al Saleh, Ahmed Jamil Madani, Saad Break, Mohammed Abduljawad, Fahd Al Bishi, Saleh Al Mutlaq, Fahd Al Mosaibeih (Omar Baksh Owein 65), Mohammed Al Suwayed, Majid Abdullah Mohammed, Jumean Moheissin (Youssef Al Jazea 46) Coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira Caution: Al Saleh 57
Match Two of the Bicentennial Cup.
Saturday July 9 1988 Sydney Football Stadium, Moore Park, Sydney Referee: Gary Power (Australia) Attendance: 18,983
AUSTRALIA Jeff Olver, Charlie Yankos, Robbie Dunn, Wally Savor, Graham Jennings, Alan Davidson, Paul Wade, Vlado Bozinoski, Frank Farina, Graham Arnold, Scott Ollerenshaw Coach: Frank Arok Cautions: Not Recorded Goals: Wade 4, Yankos 43, 67 pen, Bozinovski 79	4	-	1	Argentina Luis Islas, Nestor Lorenzo, Mario Lucca, Oscar Ruggeri, Oscar Garre, Diego Simeone, Sergio Batista (Pedro Monzon 86), Claudio Cabrera (Oscar Dertycia 62), Hernan Diaz, Jose Luis Rodriguez, Toribio Aquino Coach: Carlos Salvador Bilardo Cautions: Not Recorded Goal: Ruggeri 31
Match three of the Bicentennial Cup produced a "shock" 4-1 win to the Socceroos. The win was something special against the high profile, World Champion Argentinians and is often considered one of the best wins by a Socceroo team. With the result Australia qualified for the Gold Cup final against Brazil.
1988 Bicentennial Gold Cup Standings Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts 1 Brazil 3 2 1 0 5 1 4 5 2 AUSTRALIA 3 2 0 1 7 2 5 4 3 Argentina 3 0 2 1 3 6 -3 2 3 Saudi Arabia 3 0 1 2 3 9 -6 1
Note: Australia advanced to Bicentennial Cup final finishing second in the group stage.
Sunday July 17 1988 Sydney Football Stadium, Moore Park, Sydney Referee: Don Campbell (Australia) Attendance: 28,161
AUSTRALIA Jeff Olver, Charlie Yankos, Robbie Dunn, Wally Savor (Vlado Bozinoski 72), Graham Jennings, Alan Davidson, Paul Wade, Oscar Crino, Frank Farina (Robbie Slater 72), Graham Arnold, Scott Ollerenshaw Coach: Frank Arok Cautions: Not Recorded	0	-	2	Brazil Claudio Taffarel, Jorge Campos "Jorginho", Aloisio Alves, Ricardo Gomes (c), Nelsinho Kerchner, Geovani Silva, Jorge Andrade, Valdo Candido, Luis Da Costa "Muller", Edmar Santos (Luis Carlos Winck 65), Romario Faria de Souza Coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira Cautions: Not Recorded; Red Card: Jorginho 62 Goals: Romario 56, Muller 65
Despite having had a wonderful tournament, the Bicentennial Cup Final went the way of favourites Brazil.
Olympic Games Finals
Sunday September 18 1988 Gwangju Mudeung Stadium Gwangju, South Korea Referee: Juan Carlos Loustau (Argentina) Assistant Referees: Keith Hackett (England) and Shizuo Takada (Japan) Attendance: 12,000
Yugoslavia Dragoje Lekovic (Stevan Stojanovic 30), Vujadin Stanojkovic, Predrag Spasic, Srecko Katanec, Dragoljub Brnovic, Refik Sabanadzovic, Ivica Barbaric, Dragan Stojkovic, Dusko Milinkovic (Mirko Mihic 69), Semir Tuce, Vladislav Dukic Coach: Ivica Osim Caution: Dukic 34	0	-	1	AUSTRALIA Jeff Olver, Graham Jennings, Charlie Yankos, Robbie Dunn, Paul Wade, Mike Petersen, Oscar Crino, Alan Davidson, Frank Farina, Graham Arnold, David Mitchell Coach: Frank Arok Cautions: Arnold 20, Dunn 34, Olver 73, Yankos 75 Goal: Farina 48
Australia was drawn in Group D of the Olympic Finals and made a shock statement to the footballing world with a hard fought 1-0 win over highly rated Yugoslavia.
Tuesday September 20 1988 Dongdaemun Stadium, Seoul, South Korea Referee: Karl-Heinz Tritschler (West Germany) Assistant Referees: Hernan Silva Arce (Chile) and Michal Listkiewicz (Poland) Attendance: 15,000
Brazil Claudio Taffarel, Jaoao Batista, Ademir Roque Kaefer, Andre Cruz, Luis Carlos Coelho Winck, Aloisio Pires Alves, Geovani Faria De Silva, Milton Luiz De Souza Filho (Joao Paulo 81), Edmar Bernardes Dos Santos, Careca (Bebeto 75), Romario De Souza Faria Coach: Carlos Alberto Silva Cautions: Batista 44, Ademir 44 Goals: Romario 20, 57, 61	3	-	0	AUSTRALIA Jeff Olver, Graham Jennings, Charlie Yankos, Robbie Dunn (Gary Van Egmond 60), Paul Wade, Mike Petersen, Oscar Crino, Alan Davidson, Frank Farina (Robbie Slater 75), Graham Arnold, David Mitchell Coach: Frank Arok Caution: Farina 14
Australia was defeated 3-0 in their second Group D matchof the Olympic Finals but stayed in contention for a spot in the knockout stage.
Thursday September 22 1988 Dongdaemun Stadium, Seoul, South Korea Referee: Michal Listkiewicz (Poland) Assistant Referees: Park Hee-Cha-Rang and Yoo Kun-Ho (South Korea) Attendance: 12,800
Nigeria Christian Obi, Andrew Uwe, Ademola Adeshina, Dahiru Sadi, Augustine Eguavoen, Sylvanus Okpala, Dominic Iorfa (Wole Odegbami 52), Samuel Okwaraji, Mike Obiku (Emeka Ezeugo 80), Rashidi Yekini, Samson Siasia Coach: Manfred Honer Cautions: Uwe 7, Obiku 51	0	-	1	AUSTRALIA Jeff Olver, Gary Van Egmond, Graham Jennings, Charlie Yankos, Robbie Dunn (Andy Koczka 69), Paul Wade, Oscar Crino, Alan Davidson, Graham Arnold, John Kosmina (Scott Ollarenshaw 84), David Mitchell Coach: Frank Arok Cautions: Nil Goal: Kosmina 75
Australia qualified for the Quarter Finals (knockout stage) of the 1988 Olympic Games with a lone goal from striker John Kosmina proving the difference.
1988 Olympic Games - Group D Standings Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts 1 Brazil 3 3 10 0 9 1 8 6 2 AUSTRALIA 3 2 0 1 2 3 -1 4 3 Yugoslavia 3 1 0 2 4 4 0 2 3 Nigeria 3 0 0 3 1 8 -7 0
Note: Australia advanced to the Quarter Finals (knockout stage) of the 1988 Olympic Games finishing second behind Group Champions Brazil.
Sunday September 25 1988 Busan Gudeok Stadium, Busan, South Korea Referee: Juan Danuel Cardellino (Uruguay) Assistant Referees: Vincent Mauro (United States) and Edgardo Codesal (Mexico) Attendance: 7,000
Soviet Union Dimitry Kharin, Gela Ketashvili, Oleksiy Cheredynk (Sergei Fokin 72), Viktor Losev, Sergei Gorlukovich, Yevgeni Kuznetsov, Igor Dobrovolski, Oleksiy Mykhaylychenko, Arminas Narbekovas, Volodymyr Lyuty, Volodymyr Tatachuk (Igor Sklyarov 68) Coach: Anatoliy Byshovets Caution: Kuznetsov 82 Goals: Dobrovolski 50 pen, 54 pen, Mykhaylychenko 62	3	-	0	AUSTRALIA Jeff Olver, Gary Van Egmond, Graham Jennings, Charlie Yankos, Robbie Dunn, Paul Wade, Oscar Crino, Alan Davidson, Frank Farina, Graham Arnold, David Mitchell Coach: Frank Arok Caution: Dunn 67; Red Card: Mitchell 68
Australia dream run in the 1988 Olympic Games Finals came to an abrupt end against the Soviet Union. The Russians would eventually go onto claim the Olympic Games Gold Medal.
Friendly Matches
Wednesday October 12 1988 Caledonian Ground, Dunedin, New Zealand Referee: Lennox Sharp (New Zealand) Attendance: 3,000
New Zealand Clint Gosling, Anthony Ferris, Gary Lund, Ricki Herbert, Malcolm Dunford, Christopher Riley, Daniel Halligan, Michael McGarry, Fred De Jong (Robert Ironside 76), Darren McClennan, Billy Wright Coach: Kevin Fallon Cautions: Not Recorded Goal: Ironside 77	1	-	2	AUSTRALIA Jeff Olver, Gary Van Egmond, Gary McDowall, Andy Koczka, Graham Jennings, Paul Wade, Oscar Crino, Alan Davidson, Graham Arnold, Warren Spink (Ange Postecoglou 71), Scott Ollerenshaw Coach: Frank Arok Cautions: Not Recorded Goals: Crino 60, Ollarenshaw 74
Australia returned from the Olympic Games in Seoul to play New Zealand in a two legged Trans Tasman Trophy match. The Socceroos recording a rare win in New Zealand.
Sunday October 16 1988 Queen Elizabeth II Oval, Bendigo Referee: Chris Bambridge (Australia) Attendance: 3,000
AUSTRALIA Jeff Olver, Gary Van Egmond, Charlie Yankos, Gary McDowall, Angie Postecoglou (Graham Jennings 75), Paul Wade (Mike Petersen 86), Alan Davidson, Oscar Crino, Warren Spink, Graham Arnold, Scott Ollerenshaw Coach: Frank Arok Cautions: Not Recorded Goals: Lung 49 Own Goal, Spink 68	2	-	0	New Zealand Clint Gosling, Richard Mulligan, Gary Lund, Robert Ironside, Malcolm Dunford, Christopher Riley, Daniel Halligan (Anthony Ferris 86), Michael McGarry, Billy Wright, Darren McClennan, Declan Edge (John Hanson 86) Coach: Kevin Fallon Cautions: Not Recorded
Australia regained the Trans Tasman Trophy with two wins from two matches in the 1988 series.
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Sunday November 20 1988 Prince Charles Park, Nadi, Fiji Referee: Gary Fleet (New Zealand) Attendance: 6,472
Fiji Nasoni Naqeleklou, Abraham Watkins, Pita Dau (Ali Ratfiq 71), Maritino Vuloaloa, Daniele Ririnakai, Lote Goneqali Delai, Meli Vunilabsa, Bimal Vyash, Ivor Evans, Simon Peters, Rokova Watisoni (Ravuama Madigi 46) Coach: Billy Singh Caution: Dau 66 Goal: Madigi 66	1	-	0	AUSTRALIA Jeff Olver, Gary van Egmond, Charlie Yankos, Gary McDowall, Graham Jennings, Alan Davidson, Mike Petersen (Steve Maxwell 66), Oscar Crino, Warren Spink (Joe Palatsides 66), Graham Arnold, Scott Ollerenshaw Coach: Frank Arok Cautions: Nil
The first round of Qualifying for the 1990 World Cup was a two legged play-off between Australia and Fiji. Israel recieved a bye while Chinese Taipei and New Zealand played off in the first round tie with the winners to advance to round two.
Saturday December 3 1988 Macquarie Field, Speers Point, Newcastle Referee: Ken Wallace (New Zealand) Attendance: 5,220
AUSTRALIA Jeff Olver, Gary Van Egmond, Charlie Yankos, Gary McDowall, Graham Jennings, Alan Davidson, Jason Polak (Paul Trimboli 58), Oscar Crino, Warren Spink, Graham Arnold, Scott Ollerenshaw (Paul Haniotis 86) Coach: Frank Arok Cautions: Van Egmond 14, Ollerenshaw 46 Goals: Yankos 9, 69 pen, Spink 25, Arnold 84, Trimboli 87	5	-	1	Fiji Nasoni Naqeleklou, Abraham Watkins, Pita Dau, Martino Vuloaloa, Daniele Ririnakai (Rokova Watisoni 78), Lote Goneqali Dalai, Meli Vunilabsa, Bimal Vyash, Ivor Evans, Pita Solomone, Ravuma Madigi (Safiq 58) Coach: Billy Singh Cautions: Dau 69, Evans 74; Red Card: Watisoni 87 Goal: Dalai 89
Australia overcame a first leg 1-0 defecit to advance to the second round of Qualifers with a 5-2 aggregate over the two legs.