As Graham Arnold’s Socceroos land and assemble in camp for the 2022 World Cup, each and every one of them will be hopeful of etching their name in Australian football history.
Many have done so before them, and despite the Socceroos only once having advanced beyond the group stage, a number of superb footballers have done the nation proud while up against the sternest of opposition across a total of five previous campaigns.
So with the Socceroos history books awaiting and hoping for a modern hero to emerge from the Qatar World Cup, it seems apt to reflect on the men who have done so in the past and represented Australia in the most brave and patriotic manner.
Here are my top ten Socceroos based on performances at the World Cup.
10. Brett Holman
Still just 38 years of age, Holman scored twice at the 2010 World Cup and represented Australia on 63 occasions across an eight-year international career. Club play took him to Holland, England and the UAE, with ten goals back in Australia with Brisbane Roar in his final professional stint a fitting finish for a fine player.
Only two men have scored on more occasions for the Socceroos in World Cup play, and Holman’s performances and successful strikes helped Australia get within reach of qualification for the Round of 16 in 2010.
9. Mathew Ryan
This will be Ryan’s third World Cup, and he stands untouched as the Socceroos’ keeper of the modern generation. Counting the moments where Ryan has erred in his World Cup performances is a short exercise, and should Arnold choose to start him in all three group games, it would convert to nine consecutive appearances on the biggest stage for the man from Plumpton, New South Wales, an achievement that would equal the record currently held by Mark Bresciano and Tim Cahill.
8. Lucas Neill
While Neill will forever be remembered as the man who conceded the questionable penalty that gave Italy victory against the Socceroos in their 2006 Round of 16 clash, he will always live in my memory as one of the finest defenders Australia has ever produced.
With seven appearances across two World Cups in the green and gold and a glittering career that took him through England, Spain, the Middle East and Japan, Neill’s final days in football and early retirement were not befitting of the man nor the honour and skill with which he played.
7. Craig Moore
Alongside Neill at both the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, Moore chalked up six games on the biggest stage, matches filled with leadership, defensive grunt and an often underestimated level of skill.
With lengthy experience as captain at Glasgow Rangers, it was clear that Moore’s leadership and poise lay at the heart of the Socceroos’ success of the period, something that may forever be underestimated in light of the hidden fortitude required to be successful against the best teams in the world.
6. Mile Jedinak
Only Tim Cahill has put the ball into the back of the net on more occasions than Jedinak in World Cup play for the Socceroos, and the three penalties he converted across the 2014 and 2018 tournaments were taken professionally and fearlessly by a man whose presence in the Australian back half is yet to be fully compensated for.
Somehow things always felt a little safer when Jedinak was on duty in defensive midfield. Another Aussie destined for a lengthy career in the UK, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa enjoyed the presence, toughness and poise of one of Australia’s greatest ever players.
5. Mark Schwarzer
Schwarzer played six times in World Cup play in a career that included the 2006 and 2010 tournaments. While potentially more remembered for some astonishing feats during qualification campaigns, the Middlesbrough and Fulham legend was the custodian in what remains the greatest Socceroos team in history.
In spite of the serious quality coming his way from top-class opponents during those two tournaments, Schwarzer rarely lowered his colours and remains the greatest Socceroo goalkeeper.
4. Mark Viduka
The prince of hold-up play, a Leeds United legend and potentially the most relaxed and unflappable Socceroo of all time, Viduka was world standard, and after a little nudge from Socceroos coach Guus Hiddink, he showed the world his quality and leadership value during the 2006 World Cup.
Sadly, there was to be no return to the big stage in 2010, with Dukes adamant that retirement at 34 years old would suit him just fine. It is doubtful that the record-breaking Socceroos of 2006 would have been able to achieve what they did without the influence of the large and intimidating man up front.
3. Mark Bresciano
The selection of Bresciano ahead of some other significant names is destined to cause some debate, yet his unsurpassed nine matches across three World Cups and his extended period in the highly skilled and technical environment of Italian football make him unquestionably one of the most talented players ever to represent the Socceroos.
Three consecutive World Cups is an achievement for any player, and only a goal on the world stage evaded one of the most popular Socceroos of all.
2. Harry Kewell
Current Central Coast Mariners star Garang Kuol reminds me a little of Kewell. They’re both blessed with talent that mere mortals simply yearn for and have raw confidence and belief possessed by very few players.
While Kewell suffered a sad end to his World Cup experience with a red card in 2010 against Ghana that drew a penalty and an equaliser that cost the Socceroos a spot in the final 16, his goal against Croatia four years earlier was the one that saw Australia move into the knockout phase and the controversial loss to Italy.
As the man of the match against Croatia, Kewell will forever have a place in Socceroos folklore.
1. Tim Cahill
Few words can describe the full contribution made to Australian football by Cahill, the best header of the ball the Socceroos have seen and for over a decade the talisman for a team that struggled to find goals from other sources.
Five times the Sydney-born attacker found the net across four World Cups, and despite being underused by Bert van Marwijk in Russia in 2018, the legend status that Cahill built was not diminished one iota.
Historic goals against Japan in 2006 and the Netherlands in 2014 are football moments never to be forgotten by Australian fans, with Cahill destined to be the Socceroos’ greatest World Cup performer for some time to come.
HR
Guest
You're a flog.
HR
Guest
Of course anyone can share opinions, even worthless bus drivers such as yourself. Equally we are free to absolutely destroy and pick apart the countless holes in your opinion and "beliefs". Cahill - despite being born and raised in Australia, picked Samoa first - to represent the country of his heritage. He wasn't forced to by any rule. FIFA did not tell him to pick Samoa. He picked Samoa. He willingly chose to do so. He was free to pick Australia or Samoa. He chose Samoa first. He picked Samoa for the same powerful reasons that other Samoan players have picked Samoa in the rugby league. Now doesn't this sound familiar to a bunch of NRL players in the same boat? It's just embarrassing the level of rationale and excuses you are prepared to come up with.
Rancid Appled
Guest
Not much chance of that once you take away the pet memberships - GWS has about ten fans. All used to live in Melbourne.
Nick Symonds
Guest
"Current Central Coast Mariners star Garang Kuol reminds me a little of Kewell." - Others to watch: Aydan Hammond https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWhvpSOQyEs Marlee Francois https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJ4_HQpGMNE Alex Robertson - Manchester City U21 (father and grandfather were both Socceroos) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qW3hyPzHsvU
sheek
Roar Guru
Silly, silly, silly, silly HR, Always playing the man, always losing the argument. Cahill played for Samoa U/20 in 1994, at age 14. He would have remained a Samoan international if it weren’t for the fact FIFA changed it’s eligibility rules in 2003, charging that a player who represented one country in his teens could represent another as an adult. Consequently, Cahill changed his allegiance to Australia, the country of his birth, & mother. I don’t have any problems with his history of representation. He got lucky with the FIFA change of eligibility. Cahill’s ties to Samoa were powerful & he was under a lot of pressure with his brother in the same rep team & another brother captaining the Island at a later time. His situation is one many people with multiple heritages have to grapple with. But ultimately they can have only one master, one country. It’s up to administrators to lay down the clear guidelines, not make it a free for all. Playing for your country is entirely different from playing for multiple clubs. Cahill’s situation is different from rugby league’s eligibility rules, which has more holes in it than a Dutch dike. As for answering other posts, this is a social media sports opinion site. Anyone can respond to any public post. Even you in your silly, silly, silly, silly way. :stoked:
HR
Guest
You are that much of a mansplainer you actually answer questions clearly intended for the author? Also - your thoughts on Tim Cahill? He represented Samoa in the U20s? Under your rules he has no integrity, right?
Midfielder
Roar Guru
These lists are always subjective and the time span is quite short about 10 weeks...i.e 5 WC's... Holman re Leckie ... IMO Leckie is the better.... Vinny Griller IMO our best 6 ever... Nice read gotta get back to work
josh
Guest
Half that list comes from Western Sydney, critically important that football is kept at the top in the area too. Last thing you'd want to see is a kid from the area ending up playing AFL and lost to football forever.
Punter
Roar Rookie
Cahill no 1 hardly anyone can argue about that. Bresc, everything that was good about the Socceroos from 2005 to 2014 had his imprint all over it, a legend & no 2 for me. I would also have had Leckie in the top 10.
sheek
Roar Guru
Cahill certainly #1. Bresciano probably #2 on a combo of longevity & consistency. The great Kewell had just that one awesome game against Croatia. Then Schwarzer at #4, or possibly even #3. Jedinak might be ranked too highly.
chris
Guest
Holmans goal v Serbia at the 2010 WC was a beauty. Lovely little flick to start the move and then a great finish. If you look closely, Ninkovic is the player trying to shut Holman down :)
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
This article is the biggest joke, Viduka did nothing at the world cup, a complete load of baloney, you have him at 4 of all places. I wouldn't have him in top 50. Kewell should not be in the top 10 either he did score the goal against Croatia , he did well enough in 2006 to be considered but the handball against Ghana counts against him even though it was a harsh decision to give it a red card. Matt ryan not in a million years, we could at least drawn against Holland, The third goal he made a terrible mistake. He could have also saved Robbens goal if he had stuck his foot out instead of going with the hands first and that would have been the win. The three Chile goals he also had a shot at saving all 3. MIle Jedinak scored 3 goals at the world cup, surely that would make him one of the best, but they were all penalties. Furthermore his general play at world cups left a lot to be desired . Chile had him on toast,he struggles against high level teams with fast tricky players and passing under pressure. Jedinak was tremendous against Honduras, some Asian teams he bullied out of games in qualifying that was his best moments not world cups despite the penalties. Schwarzer great keeper but at world cups not so much, that moment against Japan it could have been a foul but it wasnt strong play, and the big error the spill for the Serbia goal 2010. So 5 of 10 shouldn't be there. I think Craig Moore his performance against Germany was poor if being generous, his other games were all good so he would be borderline in my book. So who should be there. Culina his distance covered at the 2010 world cup was about 15-16km per 90m the highest in any world cup I have seen the stats for a player playing full matches , Culina played every minute of every world cup game in 2006, 2010. I would put him at 3 behind Cahill and Bresciano. Leckie in 2014 and 2018 , his work rate, competing for the ball , making runs in attack, pressing and tracking back in defense, he is the player that made Australia competitive in those world cups . Of course he is older now not quite the physical powerhouse he was back then maybe 2022 will spoil his legacy. His only contribution in goal scoring was the header that earnt a penalty and it looked to be going in as well. Emerton mainly on 2006, 2010 he didnt play well, but he wasn't a liability like Chipperfield and Grella ruining their world cup reputation. Peter Wilson in 1974 just to round out the numbers.
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
That Cahill goal in 2014 was unreal. Thanks Stu, your top 5 are my favourite Socceroos of all time.
sheek
Roar Guru
Christo the Daddyo, Warren played only one WC game in 74 on one leg, so he didn't do enough to qualify on this list. Nevertheless, searching my memory skipper Wilson, striker Alston, midfielder Mackay & defender Schaefer were perhaps the best of the Socceroos back then at our very first WC.
Hopper
Roar Rookie
It's a shame Schwarzer retired in 2014 on the pretext that he was not made No 1 keeper, Ange's biggest selection blunder if that was the case. We would have made it out of our group if he had played. Matt Ryan was just too raw at that stage.
me too
Roar Rookie
No real arguments against that. Emerton the obvious ommission but based purely on world cup results it's hard to deny two goals for Holman. Mile and Ryan would be bench warmers in earlier teams but stood out in their world cup games. Could argue Schwarzer should be higher up but the top five seems clear. Hard to argue for any of the original Socceroos on their three games but I haven't seen anything but highlights of those games.
Grem
Roar Rookie
And hopefully soon - Garang Kuol. A great list and wonderful to see Mile there - what a great leader he was. Brett Emerton may have gone close and what about Archie’s 13 goals in a game! It’s also interesting that two of those players - Brett Holman and Mile copped some rubbish from “fans”.
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
No Johnny Warren?
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Wow, what a juicy article Stuart! I'm an unashamed fan of Kewell, Dukes, Marco, Timmy and Schwarzy. I'd have them in my team in a heartbeat. Need to think about the rest.