The Australian team is located in the Oceania region, but since 2006, it has applied to join the Asian Football Confederation and has achieved many successes. Although it does not have many excellent players, Australian football still produces a few names on the world stage. Many people may know Tim Cahill as the leader of the team. Which other names are worth paying attention to? Let's take a look at the 10 best Australian soccer players of all time below.
Who are the best Australian soccer players in history?
1. Tim Cahill
Tim Cahill is widely known for his time at Everton, where he initially played as a central midfielder. However, due to his exceptional goal-scoring ability, especially with headers, coaches entrusted him with the role of a forward. Justifying their trust, Tim Cahill made a significant impact in Everton's attacking line, scoring 56 goals in 226 appearances for the Merseyside club over 8 years.
Having scored 2 goals in Brazil during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the 34-year-old striker netted goals in all three World Cup tournaments he participated in (2006, 2010, 2014). Tim Cahill scored a total of 5 goals in the biggest football event in the world. This detail alone speaks volumes about Cahill's remarkable achievements, particularly when considering the limited resources of the Australian national team compared to other major football nations.
2. Harry Kewell
Harry Kewell, the striker, was honored by being voted the greatest player of all time in Australia. The award ceremony took place in Sydney in July 2012. Kewell's illustrious career can be summarized as follows: he scored 45 goals in 181 appearances for Leeds United and netted 12 goals in 98 appearances for Liverpool. He played 63 matches for Galatasaray in Turkey before returning to Australia to play for Melbourne Heart.
In addition to being named the greatest Australian player, Harry Kewell was also included in the all-time best XI. He contributed to the Australian national team starting in 1996. Kewell is a rare phenomenon in Australian football, shining brightly in Europe.
3. Mark Viduka
In the late 20th century, Mark Viduka was a renowned striker in Australian football and across Europe. From 1995 to 1998, the player born in 1975 played for Dinamo Zagreb, the top club in Croatia. Viduka's goal-scoring performance was truly commendable, with 86 goals in 84 appearances. Later, he moved on to play for Celtic for two seasons before joining Leeds United, a prestigious club in England at the time.
At Leeds, Viduka and the team experienced successful periods, becoming a force in both English and European football. During that time, his goal-scoring form was truly impressive. The most memorable moment in his career was scoring 4 goals against Liverpool, a feat not achieved by many players worldwide when facing the Kop.
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4. Lucas Neill
Lucas Neill played for many years in England for Premier League teams such as Blackburn, Everton, and West Ham. He also played for Galatasaray before moving to Middle Eastern clubs. He then returned to Sydney FC in his hometown but suffered an injury and was released from his contract. So far, Neill has moved to 3 more teams. He is a famous 'nomad' at the Asian level, having played for 11 clubs during his career.
Veteran Australian midfielder Lucas Neill, who is considered a 'butcher' by Blackburn Rovers' famous center-back, defended fiercely. However, the ball got past him and stayed in play. Not only is he appreciated for his ability to play real football, but he is also recognized for 'chopping' the opponent. Lucas Neill is second to none.
5. Mark Schwarzer
Next on Wintips list of best Australian soccer players is Mark Schwarzer. Mark Schwarzer is a veteran goalkeeper in Australian football, having played for various clubs in England since 1996, including Bradford City, Middlesbrough, Fulham, Chelsea, and Leicester City. At the age of 42, Schwarzer continues to display remarkable resilience and remains an integral member of Leicester City.
He is particularly remembered for his time at Middlesbrough and Fulham, two prominent English clubs, where he amassed over 500 appearances. One of Schwarzer's most notable achievements is his crucial role in the Australian national team's qualification campaign for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
6. Brett Emerton
Emerton is one of the most senior players at Blackburn, having played 247 games and scoring 13 goals. He is also the Australian player with the longest career in England. Although he is not very popular, his qualities as a big player are undeniable. In the role of a central midfielder, Emerton plays quietly but is an extremely reliable stopper for the teams he has played for.
Emerton spent 14 years with the Socceroos, where he made 95 appearances and scored 20 goals. He retired in 2012. The image of a strong central midfielder will surely be imprinted in the hearts of fans who regularly follow the Premier League and watch Australia play.
7. Mathew Ryan
Mathew David Ryan is an Australian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for the Dutch club AZ and the Australia national football team. Born in Sydney, Ryan played youth football for Marconi Stallions, Blacktown City, and Central Coast Mariners.
He made his senior international debut in 2012 and has since established himself as Australia's first-choice goalkeeper, effectively succeeding his childhood idol, Mark Schwarzer. He played in the 2014 and 2018 World Cups, as well as the 2015 and 2019 Asian Cups. He won the Best Goalkeeper award at the 2015 tournament, which his country won on home soil.
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8. Sam Kerr (W)
Next on the list of the best Australian soccer players is Sam Kerr. She is a forward for Chelsea in the FA Women’s Super League and for the Australian national women's team (Matildas), which she has captained since 2019. Sam Kerr is a professional footballer from Australia.
She is widely regarded as one of the greatest forwards in the history of women's football. In the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in the United States, Kerr currently holds the record for most goals scored. She is also considered Australia's greatest international footballer of all time by 2022.
9. Harry Souttar
Harry James Souttar is an Australian professional footballer who plays as a center-back for Premier League club Leicester City and the Australia national football team. Souttar's exceptional ability is impressive, as he consistently wins aerial duels and challenges for the ball.
Playing as a central defender, Harry Souttar is leading Australia's scoring record in the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar (2022 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers) with 6 goals. All 6 goals of the player born in 1998 came from headers. This powerful weapon of the number 19 on the Australian side is due to his ideal physique.
10. Mile Jedinak
The final player on the list of the best Australian soccer players is Mile Jedinak, the former captain of the Australian national team. In 2016, he joined Aston Villa, where he played until 2019. He helped them gain promotion back to the Premier League before retiring and moving into a coaching role there.
Jedinak made 79 appearances for the Australian national team between 2008 and 2018 and captained the team more than 25 times from 2014 onwards. This includes participation in the 2010, 2014, and 2018 FIFA World Cups. He also competed in two AFC Asian Cups and captained Australia to victory at home in the 2015 tournament.
Conclusion
The best Australian soccer players above are the finest players produced by Australian football. Together, they have led their national team to the World Cup finals many times and achieved a lot of success and glory. With the sport growing, Australia will certainly become a formidable force in the future. Thank you for your interest in this article, visit the betdirect bookmaker website to register a reputable bookmaker account and bet online right now.
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