AUSTRALIA has beaten HUNGARY 3-0 in Budapest this morning, to give LG Socceroos Coach FRANK FARINA his first victory at the helm of the Senior National Team.
Parramatta Power's STEPHEN LAYBUTT put the Australians on the board in the 12th minute, volleying in the opener after the LG Socceroos had enjoyed a sustained period of pressure on the Hungarian goal.
The Hungarians came closest to an equaliser in the 34th minute when Australian goalkeeper MARK BOSNICH was beaten, but the home side kept out with the ball cannoning off the crossbar.
The LG Socceroos made it 2-nil in the 72nd minute, MARK VIDUKA holding the ball up and delivering a cross which JOSIP SKOKO eventually put into the back of the net.
The final blow was dealt by CRAIG MOORE in extra time, the defender getting himself into space and latching onto a cross from STAN LAZARIDIS to volley home Australia's third of the game.
"The boys did exceptionally well out there today, and it was an extremely solid performance all round," said Farina after the match.
"All in all you couldn't pick out one player, it was a solid performance by the team on the night, right from the back four of Vidmar, Laybutt, Moore and Muscat, through Okon marshalling the midfield and up to Viduka and Kewell up front.
"I think that the score-line was quite deserved, I'm pleased that we've been able to continue on with the good form that we had in Chile, and I'd have to be kidding if I didn't feel a little bit of relief with my first win.
"I was also really pleased with the way the replacements fitted so well into the game plan.
"Paul Agostino came on at half-time after Harry had taken a couple of knocks to his achilles, and his partnership with Viduka worked well up front, and I was also really happy with the contribution from Craig Foster and Stan Lazaridis." he added.