Family ties: Williams brothers join select group of Caltex Socceroos siblings

Next month’s friendly against Korea Republic is not only the Caltex Socceroos’ first outing since the 2019 AFC Asian Cup but looms as an extra special occasion for the Williams family.

The selection of Ryan Williams – one of six potential debutants in Graham Arnold’s squad – sees the Rotherham United midfielder link with older brother Rhys in the side.

The pair join a select number of siblings to have represented the Australian men's team over the years, as recently as 2017 with Dylan and Ryan McGowan, and going back to the late 1990s with John and Ross Aloisi.

Ahead of the clash in Busan on June 7, we look back at some of the other brothers to have banded together in the Green and Gold.

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Dylan and Ryan McGowan

The most recent set of brothers to feature for the Caltex Socceroos were the Adelaide-born defenders Dylan and Ryan McGowan.

While the pair never got on the pitch at the same time, they were both part of Ange Postecoglou’s squad for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia.

Dylan, currently playing with Vendsyssel in Denmark, made just the one appearance in the Green and Gold – in a friendly game against Brazil in 2017.

Older brother Ryan amassed 20 caps for Australia, and provided the assist for Tim Cahill's famous volley against the Netherlands at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Dylan and Ryan McGowan went to the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup together
Dylan (left) and Ryan McGowan went to the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup together

Joel and Adam Griffiths

The Griffiths brothers were in the starting side together in the friendly against Ghana in Sydney in May 2008.

In what was Adam’s second and last appearance in the Green and Gold, he started in defence while Joel was part of an attack that also featured Harry Kewell and Mile Sterjovski.

The Caltex Socceroos prevailed 1-0 thanks to Sterjovski’s goal early in the second half.

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Joel and Adam Griffiths were part of a winning side against Ghana in 2008
Joel (left) and Adam Griffiths were part of a winning side against Ghana in 2008

Adam and Ryan Griffiths

Those must be some proud parents in the Griffiths household. Just a couple of months prior to that clash against Ghana, Adam lined-up alongside younger brother Ryan for a friendly against Singapore.

This was Adam’s debut for Australia in a match that ended goalless in steamy conditions at Singapore’s National Stadium.

Ryan featured late-on for Pim Verbeek’s side, replacing Mark Bridge with 10 minutes left in a match of few chances.

Adam Griffiths made his Caltex Socceroos debut alongside brother Ryan
Adam Griffiths (left) made his Caltex Socceroos debut alongside brother Ryan

Aurelio and Tony Vidmar

The Vidmar brothers were regular Caltex Socceroos throughout the 1990s, making more than 100 appearances between them in the Green and Gold.

Many of those games came as part of the same Australia team, with the last time the brothers featured in the same squad coming at the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup.

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It came in the group match against host nation Korea Republic, with Tony starting in defence while Aurelio was a late substitute as the Caltex Socceroos chased a late equaliser in a game they ultimately lost 1-0.

Earlier that year, the pair were also in the starting line-up as Australia scored a world record 31-0 win over American Samoa in a FIFA World Cup qualifier in Coffs Harbour.

Aurelio and Tony Vidmar made more than 100 appearances for Australia between them
Aurelio (left) and Tony Vidmar made more than 100 appearances for Australia between them

John and Ross Aloisi

John Aloisi will forever be remembered by Caltex Socceroos' fans for his famous penalty against Uruguay in 2005 which booked Australia’s spot at the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 32 years.

It was one of 55 appearances the classy striker made for Australia over an 11-year international career.

His older brother Ross also played for the Caltex Socceroos, and his very last appearance, in 1998, came alongside John.

While it was a great night for the Aloisi family, Australia were on the end of a heavy defeat in a friendly against Croatia in what was then-coach Terry Venables’ last game at the helm.

John and Ross Aloisi playing for the Caltex Socceroos
John (left) and Ross Aloisi playing for the Caltex Socceroos
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This article was originally published on the Socceroos website.
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