Written by Greg Stock

Sources: Doug Butcher and Thomas Esamie

The Oceania Qualifying group for the 1996 Olympic Games was held in Adelaide. Australia were joined by Vanautu, Solomon Islands, Fiji and New Zealand. Full details of the tournament can be found here.
Played: Saturday January 13 1996				Venue: Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Australia Frank Juric, Mark Babic, Craig Moore, Ross Aloisi, Paul Bilokapic (Norman Tome 60), Peter Tsekenis, Gabriel Mendez, Danny Tiatto (Luke Casserly 39), Goran Lozanovski (Ante Milicic 65), Joe Spiteri, Mark Viduka. Caution: Tsekenis Goals: Mendez 28, 47 pen, Spiteri 30, 45, 65, Tiatto 51, Viduka 62, 83, Tome 72	9	-	1	Vanuatu Eddie Mansale, Bruno Nicholas, Fred Thompson, Sallas Yatan (Jimmy Ben 70), Phillip Molivearus, Arvi Obed, Namatak Sellas, Somu Karlyp, Wilkins Simon Lauru, Etienne Mermer, George Kalo. Goal: Mermer 66
Referee: Intaz Shah (Fiji) Coaches: Eddie Thomson (Australia), Marco Herominly (Vanuatu)
The result of this game was amended to 2-0 to Australia after Norman Tome was left off the Australian teamsheet yet took the field as a substitute. The teamsheet irregularity was ruled on by FIFA.
Played: Wednesday January 17 1996				Venue: Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Australia Clint Bolton, Vinko Buljubasic (Goran Lozanovski 46), Kevin Muscat, Craig Moore (Ross Aloisi 46), Luke Casserly, Peter Tsekenis, Gabriel Mendez, Danny Tiatto, Paul Bilokapic, Joe Spiteri, Ante Milicic (Norman Tome 62). Caution: Tiatto 47 Goals: Muscat 23, Mendez 27 pen, Aloisi 47, Tiatto 88	4	-	0	Solomon Islands John Solodis, Gideon Omokirio, Selson Miles, Peter Taka, Sikete Buga, Eddie Rukumana, Danny Wabo (Maeli Lui 77), Moses Tosta, Elliot Suri (Eddie Rifesie 58), Robert Seni, Richard Bobby (Wilson Beuka 73). Caution: Omokirio 15<
Referees: Kaaltatak Kalokis (Vanuatu) Coaches: Eddie Thomson (Australia), Wilson Maelsua (Solomon Islands)
Played: Friday January 19 1996				Venue: Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Australia Frank Juric, Kevin Muscat, Mark Babic, Craig Moore, Peter Tsekenis, Gabriel Mendez, Danny Tiatto (Paul Bilokapic 54), Goran Lozanovski, Ross Aloisi (Norman Tome 39), Joe Spiteri (Ante Milicic 71), Mark Viduka. Caution: Lozanovski 73 Goals: Viduka 29, 76, Aloisi 32, Mendez 50 pen, 64, Lozanovski 63, 65, Milicic 71, Tome 81, 83	10	-	0	Fiji Joela Baledrokadroka, Jope Leka Namawa, Jope Nequruwati, William Work, Walsea Nabenu, Esala Masinisau, Emosi Baleinuku, Waisale Rasoski, Manoa Masi, Livai Deguca (Akuila Bulewa 58 (Apolosa Qata 85)), Kamell Kilaweca (Pita Bokini 48). Cautions: Nequruwati 9, Beleinuku 15, Namawa 50, Masinisau 50, Nabenu 51, Kilaweca 62 Red Card: Baleinuku 46
Referee: Derek Rugg (New Zealand) Coaches: Eddie Thomson (Australia), Billy Singh (Fiji)
Played: Sunday January 21 1996				Venue: Hindmarsh Stadium
Australia Frank Juric, Kevin Muscat (Luke Casserly 69), Mark Babic, Craig Moore, Peter Tsekenis, Gabriel Mendez (Paul Bilokapic 46), Danny Tiatto, Goran Lozanovski, Joe Spiteri, Mark Viduka, Norman Tome. Caution: Viduka Goals: Spiteri 1, 16, 55. Lozanovski 20, Viduka 57	5	-	0	New Zealand Mark Paston, Jonathan Perry, Danny Hay (Jeremy Seales 76), Che Bunce, Gavin Wilkinson, Ivan Vicelich, Aaron Lines, Neil Harlock, Sean Fallon (Mark Foy 58), Simon Elliott, Mark Burton. Caution: Wilkinson 29
Referee: Intaz Shah (Fiji) Coaches: Eddie Thomson (Australia), Bobby Clark (New Zealand)
Played: Thursday January 26 1996				Venue: Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Australia Clint Bolton, Vinko Buljubasic, Mark Babic, Craig Moore (Norman Tome 46), Luke Casserly, Richie Alagich, Danny Tiatto, Goran Lozanovski, Paul Bilokapic, Ante Milicic (Joe Spiteri 67), Joe Bacak. Goals: Bilokapic 2, 56, Milicic 6, 31, Bacak 21, 38, 44, Lozanovski 29, 79, 88, Tome 61, Tiatto 72	12	-	0	Vanuatu Raymond Timothy, Bruno Nicholas, Fred Thompson, Sallas Yatan, Phillip Molivaerus, Martin Malesses, Arvi Obed, Namatak Sallas (John Karl 44), Etienne Mermer, George Kalo, Joe Kalo (Collin Brown 64).
Referee: Derek Rugg (New Zealand) Coaches: Eddie Thomson (Australia), Marco Harominly (Vanuatu)
Played: Friday January 27 1996				Venue: Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Australia Frank Juric, Kevin Muscat, Mark Babic, Craig Moore, Peter Tsekenis, Gabriel Mendez, Danny Tiatto (Luke Casserly 46), Goran Lozanovski (Richie Alagich 46), Ross Aloisi, Joe Spiteri, Mark Viduka (Joe Bacak 69). Caution: Moore Goals: Moore 14, Spiteri 30, 48, Mendez 40 pen, 90, Viduka 42, Casserly 51	7	-	0	Solomon Islands John Solodis, Wilfred Sureau, Gideon Omokirio, Peter Taka (Maeli Lui 56), Cliff Sasau, Eddie Rukumana, Robert Seni, Eddie Rifasia, Richard Bobby, Sam Dara (Wilson Beuka 78), Freddie Farodo (Elliot Suri 46). Cautions: Sureau, Seni, Rifasia, Bobby, Dara, Farodo
Referee: Intaz Shah (Fiji) Coaches: Eddie Thomson (Australia), Wilson Maelsua (Solomon Islands)
Played: Sunday January 29 1996				Venue: Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Australia Frank Juric, Kevin Muscat, Mark Babic, Craig Moore, Peter Tsekenis (Richie Alagich 79), Gabriel Mendez (Norman Tome 46), Danny Tiatto, Goran Lozanovski, Ross Aloisi (Luke Casserly 81), Joe Spiteri, Mark Viduka. Cautions: Aloisi 49, Spiteri 54 Goals: Aloisi 4, Viduka 59, Tiatto 70, Lozanovski 80	5	-	0	Fiji Joela Baledrokadroka, Pita Bokini, Jope Leka Namawa, Jope Naquruwati, William Work (Kameli Kiliwaca), Walsea Nabenu, Apolosa Qeta, Esala Masi, Monoa Masi, Emosi Baleinuku, Asesela Rauge.
Referee: Massimo Riveino (Tahiti) Coaches: Eddie Thomson (Australia), Billy Singh (Fiji)
The Oceania Qualifying group for the 1996 Olympic Games finished with a shock 1-0 loss for the Olyroos. Full details of the tournament can be found here. Despite the loss Australia qualified on goal difference to move through to the final play-offs against a Concacaf nation.
Played: Tuesday January 31 1996				Venue: Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Australia Clint Bolton, Kevin Muscat, Craig Moore, Richie Alagich, Luke Casserly, Goran Lozanovski (Mark Babic 46), Gabriel Mendez, Danny Tiatto (Paul Bilokapic 46), Norman Tome, Joe Spoteri, Ante Milicic (Mark Viduka 46). Caution: Moore 77	0	-	1	New Zealand Mark Paston, Jonathan Perry, Danny Hay, Che Bunce, Gavin Wilkinson (Jeremy Seales 65), Ivan Vicelich, Aaron Lines, Sean Fallon, Simon Elliott, Neil Harlock, Mark Foy (Stuart Riddle 89). Cautions: Harlock 71, Vicelich 85 Goal: Elliott 55
Referee: Massimo Riveino (Tahiti) Coaches: Eddie Thomson (Australia), Bobby Clark (New Zealand)
In preperation for the Olympic Games play-off game against Canada, the Olyroos played two warm-up games while based in Indianapolis in the United States.
Played: Thursday May 16 1996				Venue: Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
Indianapolis XI (Lineup Not Known)	0	-	3	Australia Lineup Included; Paul Agostino, Norman Tome. Goals: Agostino 44, 88, Tome 73
Coach: Eddie Thomson (Australia)
Played: Sunday May 19 1996				Venue: Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
United States Of America Zach Thornton, Brandon Pollard, Eddie Pope, Frank Hajduk, Matthew McKeon, Michael Fisher (Billy Walsh 46), Brian maisonneuve, Imad Baba (Nelson Vargas 57), Hamlal Amani-Dove, A.J.Wood, Miles Joseph (Temoc 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 (Bradley Hassell 68). Goals: Viduka 52, 57
Referee: Ted Covaciu (United States of America) Attendance: 2,211 Coaches: Bruce Arena (United States of America), Eddie Thomson (Australia)
The Olyroos final hurdle to qualify for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games was a play-off game against CONCACAF nation Canada. The first leg was played in Edmonton in Alberta Canada and saw the tie locked 2-2.
Played: Sunday May 26 1996				Venue: Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, Canada
Canada Paul Shepherd, Richard Hikida, Nevio Pizzolitto, Jason de Vos, Scott Macey, Martin Nash (Tony Capasso 46), Chris Franks (Richard Summer 75), Niall Thompson, Davide Xausa, Carmine D'Onofrino, Oliver Heald (Linus Rhode 57). Caution: Franks 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 (Bradley Hassell 79), Joe Spiteri. Caution: Spiteri Goals: Viduka 53, 59
Referee: Kim Milton Neilson (Denmark) Attendance: 13,000 Coaches: Bob Lenarduzzi (Canada), Eddie Thomson (Australia) Various Match Reports
In the second leg played in Sydney, the Olyroos overcame the early loss of midfielder Gabriel Mendez to put five past Canada and qualify to participate in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta United States.
Played: Sunday June 2 1996				Venue: Sydney Football Stadium, Moore Park, Sydney
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 58). Cautions: Tiatto, Enes Goals: Foxe 16, Lozanovski 58, Viduka 82, Agostino 85, Muscat 87	5	-	0	Canada Paul Shepherd, Richard Hikida, Nevio Pizzolitto, Jason de Vos, Scott Macey (Martin Nash 37), Chris Franks (Linus Rhode 73), Niall Thompson, Davide Xausa (Troy Wood 62), Tony Capasso, Carmine D'Onofrio, Oliver Heald. Cautions: Pizzolitto, D'Onofrio, Heald
Referee: Ali Mohd Bujsaim (United Arab Emirates) Attendance: 25,809 Coaches: Eddie Thomson (Australia), Bob Lenarduzzi (Canada) Various Match Reports
The Olyroos went to the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta drawn in Group B with France, Saudi Arabia and Spain. The Olyroos posted two losses and a win, not enough to progress to the knock-out stage. The Australians has Steve Corica and Aurelio Vidmar in the squad as overage players.
Played: Saturday July 20 1996				Venue: Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida, United States
France Lionel Letizi, Martin Dietou, Jerome Bonnissei, Patrick Moreau, Vincent Candela, Claude Makeiele, Vikasah Dhorasoo, Oliver Dacourt (Antonie Sibierski 46), Florian Maurice (Tony Vairelles 79), Robert Pires (Sylvain Wilford 89), Sylvain Legwinsky. Cautions: Makeiele 25, Dhorasoo 35, Pires 65, Vairelles 84, Letizi 89 Goals: Pires 13, Maurice 75	2	-	0	Australia Frank Juric, Mark Babic, Kevin Muscat, Steve Horvat (Ross Aloisi 79), Luke Casserly, Ante Moric, Steve Corica, Mark Viduka (Joe Spiteri 70), Aurelio Vidmar, Danny Tiatto, Paul Agostino. Cautions: Vidmar 5, Muscat 11, Horvat 76
Referee: Roberto Ruben Rusclo (Argentina) Assistant Referees: Jeon Young Hyun (Korea Republic) & Carlos Valazquez (Uruguay) Attendance: 14,322 Coaches: Raymond Domenech (France), Eddie Thomson (Australia) Match Report
Played: Monday July 22 1996				Venue: Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida, United States
Saudi Arabia Hussein Al-Sadeq, Mohammad Al-Jahani, Mohammad Al-Khiaiwi, Abdullah Al-Zebermawi, Hussein Al-Sulaimani (Abdul Aziz Al-Marzouk 26 (Rahman Abdul Sifeen 70)), Fuad Anwar Amin, Ibrahim Al-Harbi, Khalid Al-Rashaid, Abdullah Al-Karni (Khamis Alowairan Al-Dossari 26), Hamza Falatah, Obeid Al-Dosari. Cautions: Al-Zebermawi 49, Sifeen 81 Goal: Al-Khiaiwi 37	1	-	2	Australia Frank Juric, Mark Babic, Kevin Muscat, Luke Casserly, Ante Moric, Peter Tsekenis, Steve Corica, Ross Aloisi, Mark Viduka (Robbie Enes 80), Aurelio Vidmar, Joe Spiteri. Cautions: Morice 62, Spiteri 66 Goals: Tsekenis 12, Viduka 63
Referee: Esfandiar Baharmast (United States) Assistant Referees: Amir Osman Mohamad Hamid (Sudan) & Peter Kelly (Trinidad & Tobago) Attendance: 5,997 Coaches: Ivo Wortmann (Saudi Arabia), Eddie Thomson (Australia) Match Report
Played: Wednesday July 24 1996				Venue: Citrus Bowl, Orlando, Florida, United States
Spain Juan Luis Mora Palacios, Gaizka Mendieta Zabala (Jordi Lardin 32), Augustin Aranzabel Alkorta, Francisco Javier Vicente Navarro, Santiago Denis Sanchez, Aitor Karanka de la Hoz, Oscar Garcia Junyent, Raul Gonzalez Blanco, Jose Ignancio Saenz Marin (Ivan de la Pena Lopez 60), Fernando Morientes Sanchez (Inigo Idiakez Barkaiztegi 70), Daniel Garcia Lara. Cautions: SD Sanchez 21, Navarro 28, Alkorta 56, FM Sanchez 69 Goals: Blanco 41, 90 SD Sanchez 87	3	-	2	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), Joe Spiteri 36. Cautions: Moric 25, Vidmar 61, Lozanovski 74 Goals: Vidmar 3, 12
Referee: Hugh Dallas (Scotland) Assistant Referees: Luis Fernando Torres Suniga (Costa Rica) & Dramane Dante (Mali) Attendance: 12,050 Coaches: Javier Clemente (Spain), Eddie Thomson (Australia) Match Report
The Olyroos travelled to South Africa to play two friendly matches. The team was picked with a view to looking at players for the 2000 Olympic Games squad and while listed as an Under 23 side was considered to be an Under 21 side based on the players ages.
Played: Wednesday November 6 1996				Venue: Secunda Sports Stadium, Secunda, South Africa
South Africa Brian Baloyi, Percy Molotsane, Papi Khomane, Bernard Gama, Collen Tiamo, Zane Alexander, Ace Mbuthu (Vusi Mncwango), Junair Hartley, Benni McCarthy (Steve Lekoelea), Delron Buckley, Bruce Ramokgadi (Alban Newman).	0	-	2	Australia Danny Milosevic, Ivan Zelic, Brett Emerton, Con Blatsus, Michael Pirone (Simon Colosimo 45), Tansel Baser, Kosta Salapasidis, Vince Grella (Andy Vargas 62), Michael Garcia, Reshat Mezensof (Michael Curcija 45), Carlos Gonzales (Bill Damianos 81). Goals: Blatsis 30, Garcia 76
Attendance: 9,000 Coaches: Mitch D'Avray (South Africa), Les Scheinflug (Australia)
Played: Saturday November 9 1996				Venue: FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
South Africa Brian Baloyi, Bradley Carnell, Collen Tiamo, Bermard Gama, Papi Khomane, Junaid Hartley, Zane Alexander, Quinton Fortune, Benni McCarthy (Vusi Mncwango 48), Bruce Ramokgadi, Delron Buckley. Goal: Ramokgadi 55	1	-	1	Australia Danny Milosevic, Ivan Zelic, Brett Emerton, Simon Colosimo, Levent Osman (Cn Blatsis 64), Michael Garcia, Bill Damianos (Tansel Baser 81), Andy Vargas, Kosta Salapasidis, Michael Curcija, Reshat Mezensof (John Maisano 60). Goal: Curcija 20
Referee: Thulani Shange (South Africa) Attendance: 50,000 Coaches: Mitch D'Avray (South Africa), Eddie Thomson (Australia)

Last updated: 29 December 2020.