Written by Thomas Esamie. For more details see credits.
| Since Australia is left to again face off against a South American team for a spot in the 2006 World Cup this was seen as a good opportunity to measure up against a potential opponent. Of course the bulk of the interest in the match was derived from the predictable no-shows and the consequences of those. A lot of reports seem to show Vince Grella coming on for Zdrilic but Soccer Australia says Nick Carle, so we'll hope they got it right. Especially since Vince was injured. This was a Friendly match. | ||||
| Played : February 18 | Venue : Olympic Stadium, Caracas | |||
| Venezuela Gilberto Angelucci (Rafael Dudamel 46), Luis Vallenilla (Hector Gonzalez 61), Jose Manuel Rey (sent off 72), Jonay Hernandez, Luis Vera (Andree Gonzalez 46), Leopoldo Jimenez, Gabriel Urdaneta (Jorge Rojas 46), Luis Vera, Juan Arango, Massimo Margiotta, Ruberth Moran (Alejandro Moreno 46) Goal : Arango 92 |
1 | - | 1 | Australia Mark Schwarzer, Kevin Muscat, Craig Moore, Tony Popovic, Lucas Neill, Mile Sterjovski (Steve Laybutt 92), Simon Colosimo, Marco Bresciano, Stan Lazaridis (Ahmad Elrich 28), David Zdrilic (Nick Carle 83), Paul Agostino (Tony Vidmar 62) Goal : Agostino 18 |
| Referee : Oscar Julian Ruiz (Colombia) Linesmen : Rafael Yanez, Placido Chuello (Venezuela) Attendance : 12000 Coaches : Frank Farina (Australia), Richard Paez (Venezuela) | ||||
| Squad listing |
Match Report by Alan Clark | |||
| Having agreed to play regularly in 1996 it seems we're to play South Africa regularly again. This match was the last for coach Phumo before new coach Stuart Baxter took over. Baxter having played in, and briefly for, Australia. Australia were experiencing a first and are now adorned in nike shirts. Apparently the kids are having some trouble coming up with enough new tops so the Aussies wore an interim design and will unveil the new design against Turkey. This was a Friendly match. | ||||
| Played : March 30 | Venue : Loftus Road Stadium, London | |||
| Australia Mark Schwarzer, Lucas Neill, Craig Moore, Tony Popovic, Stan Lazaridis, Josip Skoko, Marco Bresciano (Tim Cahill 75), Scott Chipperfield, Brett Emerton (Mile Sterjovski 75), Harry Kewell (David Zdrilic 64), Mark Viduka (John Aloisi 64) Goal : Bresciano 19 |
1 | - | 0 | South Africa Hans Vonk, Thabang Molefe, Bradley Carnell (Nasief Morris 33), Aaron Mokoena, Mbulelo Mabizela, Bennet Mguni (Lance Davids 59), Stephen Pienaar (Benedict Vilakazi 74), Siyabonga Nomvete, Sbusiso Zuma, Delron Buckley, Shaun Bartlett |
| Referee : Mark Halsey (England) Linesmen : () Attendance : 16108 Coaches : Frank Farina (Australia), Styles Phumo (South Africa) | ||||
| Squad listings |
Match Report by Peter Konsto | |||
| World Cup third place getters Turkey made their way to Australia for two games, this is a long time since Australians got to see their side play at home. This was a Friendly match. | ||||
| Played : May 21 | Venue : Sydney Football (Aussie) Stadium, Sydney | |||
| Australia Mark Schwarzer (Zeljko Kalac 83), Steven Laybutt, Tony Vidmar, Brett Emerton, Josip Skoko (Danny Tiatto 67 (Ahmad Elrich 79)), Simon Colosimo , Stan Lazaridis, Vincent Grella, Scott Chipperfield (Max Vieri 46), Marco Bresciano, David Zdrilic (Mile Sterjovski 67) Goal : Bresciano 47pk |
1 | - | 3 | Turkey Rustu Recber, Tolga Seyhan, Bulent Korkmaz, Deniz Baris (Ibrahim Uzulmez 85), Umit Ozat, Okan Buruk (Ali Tandogan 85), Serkan Balci (Ali Gunes 58), Emre Belozoglu (Murat Hacioglu 90), Hasan Sas, Tuncay Sanli (Serhat Akin 58), Hakan Sukur Goals : Umit Ozat 42, Sukur 69, 75 |
| Referee : Toru Kamikawa (Japan) Linesmen : () Attendance : 28326 Coaches : Frank Farina (Australia), Ersun Yanal (Turkey) | ||||
| Squad listing | Match Report by David Marshall Match Report by Fred Legget Match Report by Soccer Australia | |||
| World Cup third place getters Turkey made their way to Australia for two games, this is a long time since Australians got to see their side play at home. This was a Friendly match. | ||||
| Played : May 24 | Venue : Docklands (Telstra Dome) Stadium, Melbourne | |||
| Australia Zeljko Kalac, Steven Laybutt, Vincent Grella, Tony Vidmar, Stan Lazaridis, Brett Emerton (Ahmad Elrich 77), Marco Bresciano (Scott Chipperfield 85), Josip Skoko, Simon Colosimo (Jade North 77), Max Vieri (Mile Sterjovaski 63), David Zdrilic (Ante Milicic 63) |
0 | - | 1 | Turkey Rustu Recber (Volkan Demirel 46), Bulent Korkmaz, Ibrahim Toraman (Tolga Seyhan 75), Ibrahim Uzulmez (Deniz Baris 46), Umit Ozat (Avci Koray 65), Okan Buruk (Fatih Akyel 46), Serkan Balci, Serhat Akin, Sanli Tuncay (Murat Hacioglu 46), Nihat Kahveci, Hakan Sukur Goal : Kahveci 44 |
| Referee : Derek Rugg (New Zealand) Linesmen : Matthew Merc, Jim Ouliaris (New Zealand) Attendance : 28953 Coaches : Frank Farina (Australia), Ersun Yanal (Turkey) | ||||
| Squad listing | Match Report by Alan Clark | |||
| The OFC, always keen on innovation, is running the OFC Nations Cup concurrently with the World Cup qualifiers. In stage one the 'minnow' nations battled it out for the 4 places which were to join Australia and New Zealand in stage two. Then at the end of stage two the top two sides play off home and away once for the OFC championship as well as entry to the 2005 Confederation Cup and again for the World Cup place in the match against the 5th ranked Conmebol side. This was a OFC Nations Cup and World Cup Qualifier match. | ||||
| Played : May 29 | Venue : Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide | |||
| Australia Zeljko Kalac, Steven Laybutt (Adrian Madaschi 73), Simon Colosimo (Jade North 54), Tony Vidmar, Brett Emerton, Josip Skoko, John Aloisi, Stan Lazaridis, Vince Grella, Max Vieri (Mile Sterjovski 68), Marco Bresciano Goal : Bresciano 40 |
1 | - | 0 | New Zealand Mark Paston, David Mulligan, Steven Old, Che Bunce, Tony Lochhead, Ivan Vicelich, Noah Hickey (Brent Fisher 51), Leo Bertos (Shane Smeltz 69), Simon Elliott, Vaughan Coveny, Raffaele De Gregorio (Duncan Oughton 78) |
| Referee : Claus Bo Larsen (Denmark) Linesmen : Bill Hansen (Denmark), Dhirendra Kewal (Fiji) Attendance : 12130 Coaches : Frank Farina (Australia), Mick Waitt (New Zealand) | ||||
| Squad listing |
Match Report by Lino Fusco | |||
| This was a OFC Nations Cup and World Cup Qualifier match. | ||||
| Played : May 31 | Venue : Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide | |||
| Australia Zeljko Kalac, Jade North, Tony Vidmar, Scott Chipperfield, Josip Skoko (Patrick Kisnorbo 46), John Aloisi (Mile Sterjovski 46), Tim Cahill, Stan Lazaridis (Ahmad Elrich 46), Vince Grella, David Zdrilic, Adrian Madaschi Goals : Cahill 14, 47, Skoko 43, Simon 44og, Sterjovski 51, 61, 74, Zdrilic 85, Chipperfield 89 |
9 | - | 0 | Tahiti Daniel Tapeta, Angelo Tchen, Pierre Kugogne, Jean-Yves Liwaut (Georges Pittoeff 80), Samuel Garcia, Billy Mataitai, Axel Temataua, Farahia Teuira, Vincent Simon (Larry Marmouyet 61), Felix Tagawa, Hiro Labaste (Taufa Neuffer 58) |
| Referee : Harry Attison (Vanuatu) Linesmen : Tony Meltetamat (Vanuatu), Paul Dunham (New Zealand) Attendance : 1200 Coaches : Frank Farina (Australia), Gerard Kautai (Tahiti) | ||||
| Squad listing |
Match Report | |||
| In the other match Vanuatu beat New Zealand 4-2. See, there's always someone worse off. This was a OFC Nations Cup and World Cup Qualifier match. | ||||
| Played : June 2 | Venue : Marden Sport Complex, Adelaide | |||
| Australia Zeljko Kalac, Jade North, Tony Vidmar, Scott Chipperfield (Alex Brosque 46), Brett Emerton (Ahmad Elrich 46), Tim Cahill, Vince Grella, Patrick Kisnorbo, Mile Sterjovski, Max Vieri (David Zdrilic 60), Adrian Madaschi Goals : Madaschi 6, 50, Cahill 39, 66, 75, Elrich 89 |
6 | - | 1 | Fiji Laisenia Tuba (Simione Tamanisau 46), Lorima Dau, Emosi Baleinuku, Jone Vesikula, Malakai Kainihewe (Alvin Avinesh 83), Thomas Vulivuli, Luke Vidovi (Pene Erenio 57), Taniela Waqa, Viliame Toma, Laisiasa Gataurua (sent off 58), Waisake Sabuto Goal : Gataurua 58 |
| Referee : Eduardo Gonzales (Spain) Linesmen : Pedro Hernandez (Spain), Tony Meltetamat (Vanuatu) Attendance : 2000 Coaches : Frank Farina (Australia), Tony Buesnel (Fiji) | ||||
| Squad listing |
Match Report | |||
| This was a OFC Nations Cup and World Cup Qualifier match. | ||||
| Played : June 4 | Venue : Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide | |||
| Australia Zeljko Kalac, Jade North, Tony Vidmar, Brett Emerton, Josip Skoko, John Aloisi, Stan Lazaridis, Alex Brosque (Ahmad Elrich 69), Vince Grella, David Tarka, David Zdrilic (Mile Sterjovski 69) Goals : Aloisi 25, 85, Emerton 81 |
3 | - | 0 | Vanuatu David Chilia, Lexa Bule Bibi, Graham Demas, Fedy Vava, Seimata Chilia, Moise Poida (Pita David Maki 43), Lorry Thmpsen, Alphose Qorig (Etienne Mermer 74), Jean Emanuel Maleb (Richard Iwai 61), Roger Joe, Tom Manses |
| Referee : Charles Ariiotima (Tahiti) Linesmen : Michel Angot (Tahiti), Paul Dunham (New Zealand) Attendance : 2000 Coaches : Frank Farina (Australia), Juan Carlos Buzzetti (Vanuatu) | ||||
| Squad listing |
Match Report | |||
| So you get bored of Australia v New Zealand in the deciding clashes of any OFC event? Well this match ensures it won't happen for a while yet, infact it's the first of what will be 5 meetings in the next 12 months. This was a OFC Nations Cup and World Cup Qualifier match. | ||||
| Played : June 6 | Venue : Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide | |||
| Australia Zeljko Kalac, Jade North, Brett Emerton, Josip Skoko, John Aloisi, Tim Cahill, Alex Brosque (Simon Colosimo 46), Patrick Kisnorbo (sent off 56), David Tarka (Ahmad Elrich 46), Max Vieri (Mile Sterjovski 46), Adrian Madaschi Goals : Cahill 50, Emerton 52 |
2 | - | 2 | Solomon Islands Felix Ray Jr, Leslie Leo, Mahlon Houkarawa, Nelson Kilifa, Alick Maemae, Batram Suri, Commins Menapi, Jack Samani (George Lui 63), Henry Fa'Arodo, Paul Kakai Jr (Stanley Waita 63), George Suri Goals : Menapi 43, 75 |
| Referee : Eduardo Gonzales (Spain) Linesmen : Tony Meltetamat (Vanuatu), Dhirendra Kewal (Fiji) Attendance : 3500 Coaches : Frank Farina (Australia), Allan Gillet (Solomon Islands) | ||||
| Squad listing |
Match Report by Thomas Esamie Match Report by AAP Match Repercussions by Various | |||
| The road to Germany is only wide enough for one team to travel, I guess it was bound to be Australia. Apparently the OFC belives Batram Suri scored the home sides goal, Soccer Australia thinks it was Commins Menapi on the PR release and Batram Suri on the live tickertape. For now I'll go with Suri. This was a OFC Nations Cup Qualifier match. | ||||
| Played : October 9 | Venue : Lawson Tama Stadium, Honiara | |||
| Solomon Islands Felix Ray Jr, George Lui, Jack Samani, Henry Fa'Arodo, Paul Kakai Jr, Leslie Leo, Mahlon Houkarawa, George Suri, Nelson Kilifa, Alick Maemae, Batram Suri, Commins Menapi Goals : B Suri 59 |
1 | - | 5 | Australia Mark Schwarzer, Lucas Neill (Jon McKain 71), Tony Popovic, Tony Vidmar, Kevin Muscat, Brett Emerton (Luke Wilkshire 61), Simon Colosimo, Josip Skoko, Vince Grella (Mile Sterjovski 61), Ahmad Elrich, Ante Milicic Goals : Skoko 5, 28, Milicic 19, Emerton 44, Elrich 79 |
| Referee : Peter O'Leary (NZ) Linesmen : Paul Dunham (NZ), Dhirendra Kewal (Fiji) Attendance : 21000 Coaches : Frank Farina (Australia), Allan Gillet (Solomon Islands) | ||||
| Squad listing |
Match Report by Soccer Australia | |||
| This was a OFC Nations Cup Qualifier match. | ||||
| Played : October 12 | Venue : Sydney Football Stadium | |||
| Australia Mark Schwarzer, Tony Popovic, Tony Vidmar, Kevin Muscat (Jonathon McKain 46), Lucas Neill, Simon Colosimo, Luke Milkshire, Brett Emerton, Josip Skoko (Ahmad Elrich 46), Harry Kewell (Archie Thomson 46), Ante Milicic Goals : Milicic 5, Kewell 8, Vidmar 60, Thompson 79, Elrich 82, Emerton 86 |
6 | - | 0 | Solomon Islands Felix Ray Jr, Batram Suri (Billy Kidson 46), Commins Menapi, George Lui, Gideon Omokirio, Henry Fa'Arodo, Mahlon Houkarawa (Leslie Leo 88), George Suri, Nelson Kilifa, Alick Maemae (Jack Samani 75), Joel Konofilia |
| Referee : Leone Rakaroi (Fiji) Linesmen : Paul Dunham (NZ), Dhirendra Kewal (Fiji) Attendance : 19208 Coaches : Frank Farina (Australia), Allan Gillet (Solomon Islands) | ||||
| Squad listing |
Match Report by Chris Dunkerley Match Report by Soccer Australia | |||
| This was a Friendly match. | ||||
| Played : November 16 | Venue : Craven Cottage, London, England | |||
| Australia Mark Schwarzer, Lucas Neill, Tony Vidmar, Tony Popovic, Stan Lazaridis (Danny Tiatto 54), Josip Skoko, Marco Bresciano (Vince Grella 46), Tim Cahill (Scott Chipperfield 77), Brett Emerton (Ahmad Elrich 77), Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka Goals : Cahill 44, Skoko 58 |
2 | - | 2 | Norway Thomas Myhre, Hassan El Fakiri, Erik Hagen, Claus Lundekvam (Ragnvald Soma 46), John Arne Riise, Thomas Holm (Ardian Gashi 46), Magne Hoseth, Alexander Ødegaard (Bengt Sæternes 46), Steffen Iversen (Brede Hangeland 78), Morten Gamst Pedersen, John Carew (Azar Karadas 62) Goals : Iversen 40, Pedersen 72 |
| Referee : Robert Styles (England) Linesmen : Attendance : 7364 Coaches : Frank Farina (Australia), Åge Hareide (Norway) | ||||
| Squad listing |
Match Report by James Walker Match Report by Vitor Sobral Match Report by David Marshall | |||