Olyroos Matches for 1996

Written by Thomas Esamie. For more details see credits.

In the course of this match Australia fielded a sub (Tome) who was not listed as a sub on the teamsheet. The match was awarded 2-0 to the Solomons on the 23rd by FIFA. The actual game ended 4-0 to Australia. These details reflect the actual events of the match, however the result of this match for purposes of history is 2-0 to the Solomons. This was an Olympic qualifying match
Played : Januaru 17				Venue : Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Australia Clint Bolton, Vinko Buljubasic (Ross Aloisi 46), Kevin Muscat, Craig Moore (Goran Lozanovski 46), Peter Tsekenis, Joe Spiteri (Norman Tome 62), Gabriel Mendez, Danny Tiatto, Ante Milicic, Luke Casserly, Paul Bilokapic Goals : Muscat 23, Mendez 27pk, Aloisi 47, Tiatto 88	4	-	0	Solomon Islands John Solodia, Gideon Omokirio, Selson Molea, Peter Taka, Danny Wabo (Maeli Lui 77), Moses Toata, Elliot Suri (Rifasia 58), Robert Seni, Richard Bobby (Beuka 73), Sikele Buga, Eddie Rukumana
Referee : Kaltatak Kalokis (Vanuatu) Coaches : Eddie Thomson (Australia), Wilson Maelaua (Solomon Islands)

This was an Olympic qualifying match
Played : Januray 19				Venue : Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Australia Frank Juric, Kevin Muscat, Mark Babic, Craig Moore, Peter Tsekenis, Joe Spiteri (Ante Milicic 71), Mark Viduka, Gabriel Mendez, Danny Tiatto (Paul Bilokapic 54), Goran Lozanovski, Ross Aloisi (Norman Tome 39) Goals : Viduka 29, 76, Aloisi 32, Mendez 50pk, 64, Lozanovski 63, 65, Milicic 71, Tome 81, 83	10	-	0	Fiji Joela Baledrokadroka, Joape Leka, Esala Masi, Jope Naquruwati, Waisale Rasoki, Manoa Masi, Duguca Livai (Akuila Bulewa 58 (Apolosa Gata 85)), William Work, Waisea Nabenu, Emosi Balienuku (sent off 46), Kameli Kilaiwaca (Pita Bokini 48)
Referee : Derek Rugg (New Zealand) Coaches : Eddie Thomson (Australia), Billy Singh (Fiji)

This was an Olympic qualifying match
Played : January 21				Venue : Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Australia Frank Juric, Kevin Muscat (Luke Casserly 69), Mark Babic, Craig Moore, Peter Tsekenis (Paul Bilokapic 46), Joe Spiteri, Mark Viduka, Gabriel Mendez, Danny Tiatto, Goran Lozanovski, Norman Tome Goals : Spiteri 1, 16, 55, Lozanovski 20, Viduka 57	5	-	0	New Zealand Mark Paston, Jonathan Perry, Neil Harlock, Daniel Hay (Jeremy Seales 76), Che Bunce, Ivan Vicelich, Aaron Lines, Gavin Wilkinson, Sean Fallon (Mark Foy 58), Simon Elliott, Mark Burton
Referee : Intaz Shah (Fiji) Coaches : Eddie Thomson (Australia), Bobby Clark (New Zealand)

This was an Olympic qualifying match
Played : January 25				Venue : Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Australia Clint Bolton, Vinko Buljubasic, Mark Babic, Craig Moore (Norman Tome 46), Danny Tiatto, Goran Lozanovski, Ante Milicic (Joe Spiteri 67), Luke Casserly, Richie Alagich, Joe Bacak, Paul Bilokapic Goals : Bilokapic 2, 56, Milicic 6, 31, Bacak 21, 39, 44, Lozanovski 29, 79, 88, Tome 61, Tiatto 72	12	-	0	Vanuatu Raymond Timothy, Bruno Nicholas, Fred Thompson, Sailas Yatan, Philip Molivaerua, Martin Malessas, Arul Obed, Namatak Sailas (John Karl 44), Etienne Mermer, George Kalo, Joe Kalo (Collin Brown 64)
Referee : Derek Rugg (New Zealand) Coaches : Eddie Thomson (Australia), Marco Herominly (Vanuatu)

This was an Olympic qualifying match
Played : January 27				Venue : Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Australia Frank Juric, Kevin Muscat, Mark Babic, Craig Moore, Peter Tsekenis, Joe Spiteri, Mark Viduka (Joe Bacak 69), Gabriel Mendez, Danny Tiatto (Luke Casserly 46), Goran Lozanovski (Richie Alagich 46), Ross Aloisi Goals : Moore 14, Spiteri 30, 48, Mendez 40pk, 90, Viduka 42, Casserly 51	7	-	0	Solomon Islands John Soladia, Wilfred Suraau, Gideon Omokirio, Peter Taka (Maeli Lui 56), Robert Seni, Richard Bobby, Sam Dara (Wilson Beuka 78), Freddie Farodo (Elliot Suri 46), Eddie Rifasa, Cliff Sasau, Eddie Rukumana
Referee : Intaz Shah Coaches : Eddie Thomson (Australia), Wilson Maelaua (Solomon Islands)

This was an Olympic qualifying match
Played : January 29				Venue : Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Australia Frank Juric, Kevin Muscat, Mark Babic, Craig Moore, Peter Tsekenis (Richie Alagich 79), Joe Spiteri, Mark Viduka, Gabriel Mendez (Norman Tome 46), Danny Tiatto, Goran Lozanovski, Ross Aloisi (Luke Casserly 81) Goals : Aloisi 3, Viduka 58, Tiatto 69, Lozanovski 80, Tome 89	5	-	0	Fiji Joela Baledrokadroka, Pita Bokini, Joape Leka, Esala Masi, Jope Naquruwati, Manoa Masi, William Work (Kameli Kilaiwaca), Waisea Nabenu, Emosi Baleinuku, Apolosa Gata, Asesela Rauque
Referee : Massino Ravieno (Tahiti) Coaches : Eddie Thomson (Australia), Billy Singh (Fiji)

This was an Olympic qualifying match
Played : January 31				Venue : Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Australia Clint Bolton, Kevin Muscat, Craig Moore, Richie Alagich, Luke Casserly, Goran Lozanovski (Mark Babic 46), Gabriel Mendez, Norman Tome, Danny Tiatto (Paul Bilokapic 46), Joe Spiteri, Ante Milicic (Mark Viduka 46)	0	-	1	New Zealand Mark Paston, Jonathan Perry, Neil Harlock, Daniel Hay, Che Bunce, Ivan Vicelich, Aaron Lines, Gavin Wilkinson (Jeremy Seales 65), Mark Foy (Stuart Riddle 89), Sean Fallon, Simon Elliott Goal : Elliott 55
Referee : Massino Raveino (Tahiti) Coaches : Eddie Thomson (Australia), Bobby Clark (New Zealand)

Played : May 16 1996				Venue : Indianapolis, USA
Indianapolis XI (Lineup unknown)	0	-	3	Australia (Lineup incomplete) Paul Agostino, Norman Tome Goals : Agostino 44, 88, Tome 73

Played : May 19 1996				Venue : Indianapolis, USA
USA Olympic Zach Thornton, Matt McKeon, Brandon Pollard, Eddie Pope, Frankie Hejduk, Fisher (Billy Walsh 46), Hamisi Amani-Dove, Brian Maisonneuve, Imad Baba (Nelson Vargas 57), AJ Wood, Miles Joseph (T Suarez 69)	0	-	2	Australia Frank Juric, Kevin Muscat, Mark Babic, Hayden Foxe, Goran Lozanovski (Luke Casserly 38), Ante Moric (Ross Aloisi 59), Gabriel Mendez (Robbie Enes 78), Peter Tsekenis, Danny Tiatto, Paul Agostino (Mark Viduka 46), Joe Spiteri (Brad Hassell 68) Goals : Viduka 53, 59
Referee : Ted Covaciu (USA) Attendance : 2211 Coaches : Eddie Thomson (Australia), Bruce Arena (USA)

Played : May 26 1996				Venue : Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, Canada
Canada Paul Shepherd, Richard Hidika, Nevio Pizzolitto, Jason Devos, Scott Macey, Niall Thompson, Davide Xausa, Martin Nash (Antonio Capasso 46), Carmine D'Onofrino, Chris Franks (Richard Sumner 75), Oliver Heald (Linus Rhode 57) Goals : Xausa 21, 88	2	-	2	Australia Frank Juric, Kevin Muscat, Mark Babic, Hayden Foxe, Goran Lozanovski, Ante Moric, Gabriel Mendez (Ross Aloisi 68), Danny Tiatto, Peter Tsekenis, Mark Viduka (Brad Hassell 79), Joe Spiteri Goals : Viduka 53, 59
Referee : Kim Milton Nielsen (Denmark) Attendance : 13000 Coaches : Eddie Thomson (Australia), Bob Lenarduzzi (Canada)
various Match reports

Played : June 2 1996				Venue : Sydney Football Stadium, Australia
Australia Frank Juric, Kevin Muscat, Mark Babic, Hayden Foxe, Goran Lozanovski (Luke Casserly 83), Ante Moric, Gabriel Mendez (Robbie Enes 24), Danny Tiatto, Peter Tsekenis, Mark Viduka, Joe Spiteri (Paul Agostino 68) Goals : Foxe 16, Lozanovski 58 Viduka 82, Agostino 85, Muscat 87	5	-	0	Canada Paul Shepherd, Richard Hidika, Nevio Pizzolitto, Jason Devos, Scott Macey (Martin Nash 37), Niall Thompson, Davide Xausa (Troy Wood 62), Antonio Capasso, Carmine D'Onofrino, Chris Franks (Linus Rhode 73), Oliver Heald
Referee : Ali Mohd Bujsaim (UAE) Attendance : 25809 Coaches : Eddie Thomson (Australia), Bob Lenarduzzi (Canada)
various Match reports

I like these FIFA reports, they're very factual The Orange Bowl witnessed a tense, hard game between France and Australia tonight. It was a case of French flair and individual skills against a solid Australian team. Just twelve minutes into the first half, number (9), MAURICE, pulled the ball back to Robert PIRES, who drove a hard, low shot past Australian Keeper JURICS' right hand. This was not a game for the weak or frail. There was a lot of contact and tough tactics. Ruben RUSCIO, the referee, produced a red card after just 22 minutes after a heavy tackle by Australian Forward Daniel TIATTO. With 10 men, it was all uphill for the Australians, and though there was no lack of effort on their part, they could not gain control and France used this to their advantage, offering quick individual breakaways. One such incident resulted in Frances second goal. From the edge of the penalty area, MAURICE chipped JURIC (AUS - Keeper) and the ball agonizingly spun slowly into the back of the net. France meets Spain in their next game in Orlando. Australia have it all to do against Saudi Arabia.
Played : July 20 1996				Venue : Orange Bowl, Orlando, USA
Australia Frank Juric, Ante Moric, Mark Babic, Kevin Muscat, Steve Horvat (Ross Aloisi 79), Steve Corica, Mark Viduka, Aurelio Vidmar (Joe Spiteri 69), Paul Agostino, Luke Casserly, Daniel Tiatto (sent off 22)	0	-	2	France Lionel Letizi, Martin Djetou, Jerome Bonnissel, Patrick Moreau, Claude Makelele, Vikash Dhorasoo, Florian Maurice (Tony Vairelles 80), Vincent Candela, Olivier Dacourt (Antoine Sibierski 46), Sylvain Legwinsky, Robert Pires (Sylvain Wiltford 89) Goals : Pires 11, Maurice 74
Referee : Roberto Ruben Ruscio (Argentina) Linesmen : Young Hyun Jeon (South Korea), Carlos Adan Velazquez Pintos (Uruguay) Attendance : 14322 Coaches : Eddie Thomson (Australia), Raymond Domenech (France)

The FIFA blurb.... The Australian Olympic football team (Olyroos) jumped back into the Olympics with their first win and their first three points in the Tournament. It was clear from the beginning that this was a game that nobody wanted to lose. The Saudis pushed the ball around the park but did not take advantage of their attacking moments. The breakthrough came after only 11 minutes. VIDMAR (AUS) shielded the ball in the penalty area, with his back to the goal, he pushed the ball out to TSEKENIS (AUS) , who on his second attempt scored with a hard, past the keeper. The Saudis soon pressured, getting close on various occasions. The equaliser came in the 37th minute with a close range header by AL-KILAIWI (KSA). As both sides continues to miss chances, the first half ended 1-1. Both teams came out knowing that this game was their only chance. The Australians had a storybook second half with both a winning goal and a penalty save. The second goal was by VIDUKA (AUS), who scored with a clever back flick past the Saudi keeper. The penalty save was a classic. In the 67th minute, Aussie keeper Juric FRANK (AUS) waited for AMIN's (KSA) kick and outstretched, pushed the ball to his right side. More action came from both sides, as Australia pulled back to defend. It ended at 2-1, and the Australians stayed alive.
Played : July 22 1996				Venue : Orange Bowl, Orlando, USA
Australia Frank Juric, Mark Babic, Kevin Muscat, Luke Casserly, Ante Moric, Peter Tsekenis, Steve Corica, Ross Aloisi, Mark Viduka, Aurelio Vidmar, Joseph Spiteri Goals : Tsekenis 11' Viduka 63'	2	-	3	Saudi Arabia Hussain Al-Sadig, Mohammed Al-Jahani, Mohammed S Al-Kilaiwi, Abdullah Zubromawi, Hussain Sulimani (Abdul Aziz Al-Marzoug 26 (Sifeen Abdul Rahman 70)), Fuad Anwar Amin, Ibrahim Al-Harb, Khalid Al-Rashaid, Abdullah Al-Garni (Khamis Al-Dossari 26), Hamzah Falatha, Obeid Al-Dossary Goals : Kilaiwi 37'
Referee : Esfandiar Baharmast (USA) Linesmen : Amir Osman M Hamid (Sudan) Peter Kelly (Trinidad & Tobago) Attendance : 5995 Coaches : Eddie Thomson (Australia), Ivo Ardais Wortmann (Saudi Arabia)

Australia with the win which would advance them to the knockout rounds in their grasp went for defence and paid dearly for it. Here's a rundown of the match from the FIFA site Spain stunned Australia with two goals in the last two minutes to pull out a dramatic 3-2 victory, knocking Australia from the tournament while earning a berth in the quarterfinals. With two minutes left and Australia hanging onto the lead it needed to advance, Inigo INDIAKEZ (ESP) skipped a hard shot at goal from the left wing. Defender Kevin MUSCAT (AUS) got a foot on the ball and deflected it off the chest of surprised goalkeeper Frank JURIC (AUS). The ball bounced up in the air and Santiago DENIA (ESP) fought through traffic to hit a falling volley through JURIC's (AUS) legs and into the net. Spain got the winning goal seconds from the end when Ivan DIE LA PENA (ESP) got free down the right wing, cut back and lofted a pass to the far post where an unmarked Raul GONZALES (ESP) sent a header past a scrambling JURIC (AUS). Australia took a surprising early lead, scoring two goals in the first 12 minutes, beating a pulled-up Spanish back line in the 3rd minute as Mark VIDUKA (AUS) slipped behind the defence on the right flank and spun a cross on the ground to the far post for Aurelio VIDMAR (AUS) to touch home from close range. Eight minutes later. Australia once again beat the Spanish offside trap and Steve CORICA (AUS) dribbled in one-on-one. Goalkeeper Juan MORA (ESP) got a piece of CORICA's (ESP) shot, but the ball slipped under him. VIDMAR (AUS), the ball, and Spanish defender Javier NAVARRO (ESP) all raced toward the goal line, collided, and all three tumbled into the net to give Australia a 2-0 lead. Spain began the comback in the 41st minute when GONZALES' (ESP) perfect left-footed free-kick from the right side of the penalty box spun into the upper left corner from 25-meters out. With the win, Spain finishes second in Group B behind France, a 2-1 winner over Saudi Arabia.
Played : July 24 1996				Venue : Citrus Bowl, Birmingham, USA
Australia Frank Juric, Mark Babic, Kevin Muscat, Steve Horvat, Luke Casserly, Ante Moric (Ross Aloisi 56), Peter Tsekenis, Steve Corica, Mark Viduka, Aurelio Vidmar (Goran Lozanovski 72), Joseph Spiteri (Daniel Tiatto 36) Goals : Vidmar 3' 11'	2	-	3	Spain Juan Mora, Gaizka Mendieta (Jordi Lardin 32), Aitor Karanka, Oscar Garcia, Agustin Aranzabal, Javier Navarro, Santiago Denia, Jose Ignacio Saenz (Ivan de la Pena 60), Raul Gonzales, Sanchez Morientes (Inigo Idiakez 70), Daniel Garcia Goals : Raul 40' 90' Santiago 86'
Referee : Hugh Dallas (Scotland) Linesmen : Luis Fernando Torres Zuniga, Dramane Dante Attendance : 12050 Coaches : Eddie Thomson (Australia), Javier Clemente (Spain)