Australia’s not your average soccer nation. We still debate whether its called soccer or football. Before 2005 we were part of the Oceania Football Confederation and since 2005, a part of the Asian Football Confederation. Let’s take a look at the best Australian soccer players of all time.
5. Mark Viduka
Mark Viduka is one of the best Australian soccer players of all time. Viduka was capped 43 times for the Socceroos and he scored 11 goals. He became captain in 2005 and led the team through their first World Cup campaign in 32 years at Germany 2006. Viduka also has one of the fastest goals in Premier League history and is one of the most underrated Premier League players in history.
Although a prolific goalscorer in the Premier League his form didn’t translate into any meaningful goals for the Socceroos. He missed a penalty in the shoot-out win against Uruguay to qualify for the 2006 World Cup. Mark Viduka lands at fifth on the list of best Australian soccer players of all time.
Mark Viduka led Australia in the famous Uruguay triumph before captaining the @Socceroos in all four games at the 2006 @FIFAWorldCup.
His contribution to Australian football will never be forgotten.
Read his full story: https://t.co/Tc940MNXrk pic.twitter.com/ma8NicaCPr
— Socceroos (@Socceroos) May 4, 2018
4. Mark Schwarzer
Mark Schwarzer is the greatest goalkeeper and one of the best Australian soccer players of all time. Schwarzer is the most capped Australian of all time with 109 games under his belt. He kept 44 clean sheets in his 109 games and was part of five World Cup qualifying campaigns.
Schwarzer starred in the 2006 and 2010 World Cups and was Australian Footballer of the Year in 2009 and 2010. His career defining moments came in the penalty shoot-out win against Uruguay to qualify for the 2006 World Cup, saving two penalties.
“Mark Schwarzer, you are a champion!” @schwarzer_mark stood up with two HUGE saves in the penalty shoot-out v Uruguay.
For more Socceroos content, visit https://t.co/v1eJ4eju40 #AUSvURU pic.twitter.com/nJu19JocDE
— Socceroos (@Socceroos) March 31, 2020
3. Johnny Warren
Johnny Warren is considered the godfather of Australian soccer. He went on to play 42 full internationals for Australia serving as captain in 24 of those games. Warren scored seven goals for the country, had captained Australia through their unsuccessful 1970 World Cup qualifying campaign, and was a part of the Socceroos squad at their first ever World Cup in 1974.
Warren was a fierce advocate for soccer in Australia, a sport that was struggling with stigma of being weak across the country. His devotion for the game created a legacy as the most important player off the field in Australia’s history. On the pitch he was a trailblazer and is one of the best Australian soccer players of all time.
Johnny Warren would’ve been 77 today.
Here he is in action during the @Socceroos‘ first-ever @FIFAWorldCup game in 1974! pic.twitter.com/qnPEDmRPfm
— Socceroos (@Socceroos) May 17, 2020
2. Harry Kewell
Harry Kewell is second on the list of best Australian soccer players of all time. Capped 56 times, Kewell scored 17 times with the most important of those in the 2006 World Cup against Croatia. He levelled the scores to help lead Australia into the round of 16 at the World Cup, their best ever finish in the competition.
Kewell played primarily as a left winger and could fill in as a second striker. He is Australia’s most technically gifted player of all time but his career was impacted by injuries which diminished the impact he had on Australian soccer.
“HARRY KEWELL HAS DONE IT! Australia’s golden boy has come up with a golden goal!”
🗓 #OnThisDay in 2006, @HarryKewell scored the equaliser to earn a draw v Croatia & send the @Socceroos through to the @FIFAWorldCup Round of 16 for the first time! pic.twitter.com/GaaudPsMfZ
— Socceroos (@Socceroos) June 22, 2020
1. Tim Cahill
Tim Cahill is the best ever Australian soccer player of all time and one of the best ever headers of the ball in history. Cahill fell just one game short of becoming the most capped Australian football player and finished with 108 caps.
What makes Tim Cahill the best Australian soccer player of all time is his unmatched goal scoring record. Cahill scored 50 goals from his 108 games and is well ahead of second placed Damian Mori who scored 21 goals, with most of those against weaker opponents.
Thanks for the memories, @Tim_Cahill.
Take a look back at five of his greatest @Socceroos goals 💛💚 pic.twitter.com/BiAJv2X1J5
— Socceroos (@Socceroos) March 28, 2019
Cahill scored some of the most important goals in Australia’s soccer history including five World Cup goals across three World Cups. He’s also one of the most underrated Premier League midfielders of all time.
Most memorability he scored Australia’s first ever World Cup goal against Japan in the 2006 World Cup to level the game in the 84th minute. Three minutes later he scored again to lead Australia to a come-from-behind victory.
His record is impressive considering he played the majority of his career as an attacking midfielder and not as a striker. His scoring record, the impact he had from box-to-box skill and his ability as one of the best ever headers of the ball makes Tim Cahill the best Australian soccer player of all time.
🇦🇺 @Tim_Cahill announces retirement from International Football.
🎓 Caps: 107
⚽️ Goals: 50🏆 Played in 4 consecutive World Cups
⚽️ Most goals by Australian at the World Cup
🥇 Australia’s all-time record goalscorer
💥 THAT screamer vs Netherlands👏 @Socceroos Legend. pic.twitter.com/uhbN39K1Tx
— SPORF (@Sporf) July 17, 2018
