With the Socceroos set to take on Costa Rica at Allianz Stadium later this month, we take a look at the greatest Socceroos matches to have taken place there.
With the Socceroos set to take on Costa Rica at Allianz Stadium later this month, we take a look at ten of the greatest Socceroos matches to have taken place at the venue.
Australia 4 v Argentina 1, July 14, 1988
Australia hosted the Bicentennial Gold Cup to celebrate the nation-s bicentenary with Brazil, Saudi Arabia and Argentina making the trip down under to compete. After going down 1-0 to Brazil in their opening game they knocked off Saudi Arabia 3-0 ensuring that their final round robin match against Argentina would give them the opportunity to make the final. The Socceroos came out and shocked the football world as they claimed a 4-1 victory over a strong Argentinean lineup. Paul Wade opened the scoring on four minutes before Oscar Ruggeri levelled on the half hour mark. Charlie Yankos ensured Australia had a 2-1 halftime lead before getting his second, a penalty, with just over 20 minutes remaining. Vlado Bozinoski ensured the rout was complete when he made it 4-1 and gave Australia what is still one of their most impressive wins to date in any venue.
Australia 0 - Netherlands 0, October 10 2009
As the Socceroos prepared for their second consecutive World Cup they hosted the world-s number 3 ranked side and one of the favourites for South Africa 2010 in the Netherlands. With the likes of Wesley Sneijder, Dirk Kuyt, Klass Jan Huntelaar along with a late cameo from Melbourne Heart signing Orlando Engelaar the Dutch no doubt sent out a classy side. The Oranje had the best opportunities throughout the first half, including Huntelaar heading over the bar twice in the first ten minutes, but the Socceroos back four held strong. The Australians created some chances of their own in the second half but the match would go on to finish 0-0. Despite not seeing a goal the forty thousand plus crowd would have been pleased to know that their side could compete with the world-s best.
Australia 0 v England 1, June 1 1991
Midway through 1991 the Socceroos hosted one of Australia-s oldest sporting foes in England in a one-off match. The English side featured the likes David Batty, Gary Lineker and Dennis Wise while Ned Zelic, the Vidmar brothers and Graham Arnold were among those donning the green and gold. In front of a crowd of 35, 742 and with some of the world-s best on show the match deserved a little more than to be decided by a 40th minute own goal from Australian Ian Gray but no doubt Graham Taylor-s English side would have taken the victory.
Australia 2 - Ghana 1, June 18 1995
The first of a three match series against Ghana around Australia was played at the SFS in mid 1995. Many Socceroos tragics will remember this match as it was Frank Farina-s last in the green and gold. Farina was given the captain-s armband for the clash and his Socceroos teammates did not disappoint him on the field. Tony Vidmar got the scoring underway with a 5th minute strike before Graham Arnold made it 2-0 before the break. Farina left the field late in the match to a standing ovation as nearly twenty thousand football fans showed their respect for a Socceroos stalwart that had been wearing the green and gold for over a decade. The Ghananians got a goal back late when Ablade Kumah found the back of the net but it was no doubt Farina-s night as his side won 2-1. Australia went on to beat Ghana 1-0 in Adelaide before going down by the same scoreline in Perth.
Australia 7 - Solomon Islands 0, 7 September 2005
While the Solomon Islands were not the toughest opponent the match ushered in a new era of Australian football with Guus Hiddink taking control of his first Socceroos match. The rainy conditions did make the going tough but Australia claimed a dominant 7-0 win. The golden era of Australian football had begun with a brace for Mark Viduka and goals to Jason Culina, Tim Cahill, Scott Chipperfield, substitute Archie Thompson and Brett Emerton. Hiddink would go on to lead Australia to get their first World Cup victory and into the last 16 where they would eventually fall to Italy at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Upcoming Match Details
Socceroos v Costa Rica Tuesday 19 November 2013 Allianz Stadium, Sydney, Australia Kick-off: 7.30pm AEDT
The match between the Socceroos and Costa Rica will be broadcast live and exclusive on FOX SPORTS.