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1977 Australia Men's National Team Results Researched by Kevin Christopher, Thomas Esamie and John Punshon, Written by Jean-Michel Cazal and Greg Stock |
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1976 | A-Internationals | B-Internationals | Index | 1977
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | Taiwan | Taiwan | New Zealand | New Zealand | Hong Kong |
Iran | South Korea | Kuwat | South Korea | Hong Kong | Kuwait | Iran
Friendly Matches | Israel | Israel | Fiji | Singapore
Sources: Soccer World, Soccer Action and Daily Newspapers.
| Friendly Matches | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday February 12 1977 Olympic Park, Melbourne, Australia Referee: Barry Harwwood (Australia) Assistant Referees: Chris Bambridge and R.Henderson (Australia) Attendance: 6,302 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| AUSTRALIA Todd Clarke, George Harris, Peter Wilson, Col Bennett, Harry Williams, Gary Byrne, Atti Abonyi (Dave Harding 70), Agenor Muniz, Jimmy Rooney, John Kosmina (Murray Barnes 70), Peter Ollerton Coach: Jim Shoulder Goal: Ollerton 58 |
1 | - | 1 | Israel Yosef Sorinov, Avraham Cohen, Meir Nimni, Eli Leventhal, Haim Bar, Moshe Leon, Dani Neumann, Mordechai Spiegler (Rifat Turk 72), Moshe Schweitzer (Yaacov Cohen 72), Gideon Damti, Viki Peretz Coach: David Schweitzer Goal: Damti 10 Red Card: Nimni 33 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1977 was World Cup qualification year for Australia. In order to qualify for Argentina in 1978 Australia had to compete in the Asian zone elimination series and go through a complicated system of knockout games. Australia's first group was the Oceania group which included New Zealand and Taiwan. The winner from this group would go onto the next round and a further series of eliminators. In order to get the side in shape for the upcoming qualifiers Australia organised to host Israel for two games in Melbourne and Sydney. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday Februry 16 1977 Sydney Sports Ground, Moore Park, Sydney, Australia Referee: Des Miles (Australia) Assistant Referees: Peter Rampley and Tim Davies (Australia) Attendance: 5,961 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AUSTRALIA Todd Clarke, George Harris, Peter Wilson, Col Bennett, Harry Williams, Gary Byrne (John Nyskohus 67), Agenor Muniz, Jimmy Rooney, Atti Abonyi, Peter Ollerton, John Kosmina Coach: Jim Shoulder Cautions: Nil Goal: Muniz 59 |
1 | - | 1 | Israel Yosef Sorinov, Eli Leventhal, Avraham Cohen, Haim Bar, Moshe Leon, Meir Nimni, Dani Neumann (Uri Malmilian 67), Moshe Schweitzer, Gideon Damti, Viki Peretz, Mordechai Spiegler Coach: David Schweitzer Caution: Leon Goal: Schweitzer 72 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The second match in Sydney was a hard game although the Socceroos put up a very ineffectual performance. Critics slammed Coach Jim Shoulder after the draw but the coach was unpeturbed saying that there would be more sound wins to look forward to.
The goal to Australia was a free kick taken by Muniz and deflected off the head of Moshe Schweitzer, some sources credit this goal as an own goal. Match Day Programme | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday March 13 1977 Ba, Fiji Referee: P.Watana (Thailand) Attendance: 8,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Taiwan Chen Hung-Chiang, Choa Chen-Chung, Hsu Chih-Hsiang, Chen, Jong Chein-Fu, Fang Shin-Sing, Chang Kuo-Chin, Lo Chin Tsong, Lee Fu-Tsai, Lin Tsun-Tsien, You Cheng-Kung Coach: Lew Pak |
0 | - | 3 | AUSTRALIA Todd Clarke, George Harris, Peter Wilson (c), Col Bennett, Harry Williams, Jimmy Rooney, Agenor Muniz, Gary Byrne, Atti Abonyi, Peter Ollerton, John Kosmina Coach: Jim Shoulder Goals: Rooney 8, 46, Abonyi 16 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Australias 1978 World Cup qualification campaign kicked off on the South Pacific island of Fiji. The reason why the matches were played in Fiji was because the Australian Government refused to issue visas to the Taiwanese squad. Pitted against the Taiwanese side, Australia easily overcame the Chinese islanders. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday March 16 1977 Ba, Fiji Referee: G.Vijit (Thailand) Attendance: Not Recorded | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Taiwan Chen Hung-Chiang, Choa Cheng-Chung, Hsu Chih-Hsiang, Jong Chein-Fu, Fang Shin-Sing, Doe Tson-Fu (Lin Tsin-Tien 59), Chang Kuo-Chin, Lo Chin Tsong, Fu Po-Tsun, Lee Fu-Tsai, You Cheng-Kung (Chang Jen-Lin 79) Coach: Lew Pak Goal: Fang Shin-Sing 29 |
1 | - | 2 | AUSTRALIA Todd Clarke, George Harris, Peter Wilson (c), Col Bennett, Harry Williams, Gary Byrne, Agenor Muniz, Jimmy Rooney, Atti Abonyi, Peter Ollerton (John Nyskohus 70), John Kosmina Coach: Jim Shoulder Goals: Kosmina 35, Abonyi 58 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The return match against Taiwan was played three days later again in Ba, Fiji. This time the Taiwanese tried to play hard physical game but because of their physique the Australians stood firm and took out the match. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Friendly Match | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday March 19 1977 Suva, Fiji Referee: Bob Khan (Fiji) Attendance: Not Recorded | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fiji Lineup Included; Vula Wate, Delana, Akriva, Tubuna, Monday, Jimi Okete Coach: Not Recorded Goal: Okete 75 |
1 | - | 0 | AUSTRALIA Alan Maher, Peter Stone, Peter Wilson, Col Bennett, Jim Tansey, Gary Marocchi, Gary Byrne, Dave Harding, John Kosmina, Murray Barnes, John Nyskohus Coach: Jim Shoulder | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Following Australias victories against Taiwan coach Jim Shoulder decided to give his underutilised squad players a run in a friendly against Fiji. The result was a poor one for Australia against a national side that was regarded as one of the minnows of world soccer, and did nothing for the morale of the Socceroos side. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday March 27 1977 Sydney Cricket Ground, Moore Park, Sydney, Australia Referee: Cham Tam Sun (Hong Kong) Assistant Referees: K.K.Cheung and M.Wong (Hong Kong) Attendance: 12,120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AUSTRALIA Todd Clarke, George Harris, Peter Wilson (c), Col Bennett, Harry Williams, Agenor Muniz (Dave Harding 67), Gary Byrne, Jimmy Rooney, Atti Abonyi, Peter Ollerton, John Kosmina Coach: Jim Shoulder Goals: Ollerton 60, 80, Kosmina 72 |
3 | - | 1 | New Zealand Kevin Curtin, Anthony Sibley, John Houghton, Adrian Elrick, Ronald Armstrong, Brian Turner, Steve Sumner, David Taylor, Clive Campbell (Glen Dods 65), Keith Nelson, Kevin Weymouth (Ian Park 82) Coach: Wally Hughes Goal: Nelon 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The next World Cup opponents for the Socceroos were the old enemy New Zealand home and away. Match Day Programme | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday March 30 1977 Newmarket Park, Auckland, New Zealand Referee: Cheung Kwok Kui (Hong Kong) Attendance: 11,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New Zealand Kevin Curtin, Anthony Sibley, John Houghton, Adrian Elrick, Ronald Armstrong, Brian Turner, Steve Sumner, David Taylor, Glen Dods, Keith Nelson, Kevin Weymouth (Ian Park) Coach: Wally Hughes Goal: Nelson 34 |
1 | - | 1 | AUSTRALIA Todd Clarke, George Harris, Peter Wilson (c), Col Bennett, Harry Williams, Dave Harding, Jimmy Rooney, Gary Byrne, John Kosmina, Peter Ollerton, Atti Abonyi Coach: Jim Shoulder Goal: Ollerton 18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The return match three days later against New Zealand was played in Auckland. Australia needed only a draw to advance to the next stage whilst New Zealand needed only a single goal win to advance.
The difference between the two sides was only two competition points while goal difference was in New Zealands favour. Australia did enough over the ninety minutes to secure a place in the Second Round. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Note: Australia finished top of the Oceania Sub-Group and moved through to the Asian zone Elimination series. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday July 10 1977 Hindmarsh Stadium, Hindmarsh, Adelaide, Australia Referee: W.Hungerbuehler (Switzerland) Linesmen: B.Della Bruno and A.Faure (Switzerland) Attendance: 14,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AUSTRALIA Alan Maher, George Harris, Peter Wilson, Col Bennett, Harry Williams, Murray Barnes, Dave Harding, Jimmy Rooney, John Kosmina, Peter Ollerton, John Nyskohus Coach: Jim Shoulder Goals: Kosmina 27, 84, Barnes 46 |
3 | - | 0 | Hong Kong Chu Kwok Kuen, Chain Fat Chi (Chung Chor Wai 65), Choi York Yee, Lai Sun Cheun, Chan Sai Kan, Tsan Ting Fai, Li Kwai Hung, Wu Twok Hung, Kwok Ka Ming, Cheung Ka Ping, Lau Wing Yip (Sze Kin Hai 46) Coach: Franz Van Balkom | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The first opponent in the second round of World Cup Qualifying for Australia was a home leg against Hong Kong. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday August 14 1977 Olympic Park, Melbourne, Australia Referee: Franz Wohrer (Austria) Assistant Referees: Josef Bucek and Rinz Fannles (Austria) Attendance: 17,735 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AUSTRALIA Alan Maher, George Harris, Col Bennett, Peter Wilson, Harry Williams, Murray Barnes, Dave Harding, Jimmy Rooney, John Kosmina, Peter Ollerton, John Nyskohus (Peter Sharne 71) Coach: Jim Shoulder |
0 | - | 1 | Iran Nasser Hejazi, Hassan Nazari, Hossein Kazerani, Nasrollah Abdollahi, Andranik Eskandarian, Hassan Nayeb Agha, Ali Parvin, Ibrahim Ghassempour (Habib Khabiri 80), Mohammed Sadeghi, Hassan Rowshan, Ghafour Jahani Coach: Heshmat Mohajerani | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Australia's next opponent was Iran in Melbourne. The loss in this home leg was critical and left Australia at the bottom of the table at an early stage of qualifying. Match Day Programme | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday August 27 1977 Sydney Sports Ground, Moore Park, Sydney, Australia Referee: Jan Keizer (Netherlands) Assistant Referees: Hendrik Weerink and Hendrik Ettekopen (Netherlands) Attendance: 8,719 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AUSTRALIA Alan Maher, George Harris (Gary Byrne 62), Peter Wilson, Col Bennett, Harry Williams, Murray Barnes, Dave Harding, Jimmy Rooney, John Kosmina, Peter Ollerton, John Nyskohus (Atti Abonyi 62) Coach: Jim Shoulder Goals: Kosmina 63, 75 |
2 | - | 1 | South Korea Byoun Ho Young (Kim Whang Ho 66), Kim Ho Kon, Park Sung Wha, Cho Young Jeung, Kang Byung Chan, Huh Jung Moo, Choi Jong Duk (Kim Jin Kook), Cho Kwang Lae, Park Sang In, Cha Bum Keun, Kim Jae Han Coach: Cha Bum Keun 23 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Australia got their World Cup qualifying campaign moving with a hard fought win over South Korea. Match Day Programme | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday October 16 1977 Sydney Sports Ground, Moore Park, Sydney, Australia Referee: Michael Vautrot (France) Assistant Referees: Georges Konrath and J.C.Martin (France) Attendance: 12,015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AUSTRALIA Alan Maher, Col Curran, Peter Wilson, Col Bennett, Harry Williams, Murray Barnes, Dave Harding (Peter Stone 46), Jimmy Rooney, Adrian Alston, John Kosmina, Peter Ollerton (Atti Abonyi 60) Coach: Jim Shoulder Goal: Rooney 85 |
1 | - | 2 | Kuwait Ahmed Khadar Tarabulsi, Ahmed Hussein, Adnan Abdullah, Abdullah Jusuf, Sultan Jakob, Faruk Ibrahim (Saed Khalid 85), Saad Mohammad, Hamrad Khaled, Fati Kamil, Feisal Ali, Abdul Aziz Saud Coach: Mario Zagalo Goals: Kamil 42 pen, Aziz 49 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Australia' chances to qualify for the 1978 Argentina World Cup was left in utter disarray after this loss which left the Socceroos in second last place on the table, with only Hong Kong behind them. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday October 23 1977 Seoul, South Korea Referee: Ulf Eriksson (Sweden) Attendance: 30,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Korea Kim Hee Cheon, Choi Jong Deok, Park Sung Wha, Choi Young Jeung (Kim Hee Tae 53), Kim Ho Kong, Huh Jung Moo, Park San In, Kim Kang Nam, Park Joung Whoon (Lee Young Moo 80), Kim Jae Han, Cha Bum Keun Coach: Not Recorded |
0 | - | 0 | AUSTRALIA Alan Maher, Col Curran, Peter Wilson, Col Bennett, George Harris, Gary Byrne, Jimmy Rooney (Gary Marocchi), Peter Stone, John Kosmina, Peter Ollerton (Adrian Alston), Atti Abonyi Coach: Jim Shoulder | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Australias next assignment was a full programme of away legs, the first in South Korea. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday October 30 1977 Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong Referee: Alexis Ponnet (Belgium) Attendance: 8,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hong Kong Ma Pit Hung, Chan Sai Kau, Choi York Yee (Lai Sun Cheung 30), Tsang Ting Fai, Li Kwai Hung (c), Kwok Ka Ming, Tang Hung Cheong, Wu Kwok Hung, Chung Chor Wai, Wun Chee Keung (Cheung Ka Ping 46), Sze Kintlay Coach: Franz Van Balkon Goals: Tang Hung Cheong 65, Chung Chor Wai 80 |
2 | - | 5 | AUSTRALIA Alan Maher, Col Curran (Gary Marocchi 75), Peter Wilson, Col Bennett, George Harris, Gary Byrne, Jimmy Rooney, Peter Stone, John Kosmina (John Nyskohus 75), Peter Ollerton, Atti Abonyi Coach: Jim Shoulder Goals: Ollerton 19, 21, 26, Abonyi 59 pen, Bennett 85 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Australias next assignment was a full programme of away legs, the first in South Korea. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Friendly Match | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday November 13 1977 Singapore Referee: Not Recorded Attendance: Not Recorded | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Singapore Lineup Not Known Coach: Not Recorded |
0 | - | 2 | AUSTRALIA Alan Maher, Col Curran, David Jones, Col Bennett, George Harris, Gary Byrne, Jim Rooney, Peter Stone (Dave Harding), John Kosmina, Peter Ollerton (Adrian Alston), Atti Abonyi (John Nyskohus) Coach: Jim Shoulder Goals: Ollerton, Abonyi | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Two weeks after their last World Cup Qualifier Australia was in Singapore playing a warmup match for the following two ties against Kuwait and Iran. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday November 19 1977 Kuwait City, Kuwait Referee: Josef Bucek (Austria) Attendance: 25,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kuwait Lineup Included; Taraboulsi, Fahti Kamil, Bo Abbas Badr, Faisal Al Dakheel Coach: Mario Zagalo Goal: Faisal Al Dakheel 51 |
1 | - | 0 | AUSTRALIA Alan Maher, Col Curran, David Jones, Col Bennett, George Harris, Gary Byrne, Jimmy Rooney, Peter Stone, John Kosmina, Peter Ollerton, Atti Abonyi (John Nyskohus) Coach: Jim Shoulder Red Card: Kosmina 56 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Australia were effectively out of the World Cup after suffering a disappointing 1-0 loss to Kuwait. The 56th minute sending off of striker John Kosmina all but ending the Socceroos chances. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Friday November 25 1977 Ayramehr Stadium, Tehran, Iran Referee: Michel Kitabdjian (France) Attendance: 100,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Iran Nasser Hejazi, Hassan Nazari, Hossein Kazerani, Nasrollah Abdollahi, Andranik Eskandarian, Hassan Nayeb Agha, Ali Parvin, Ibrahim Ghassempour, Mohammed Sadeghi, Ghafour Jahani, Mohammed Reza Adelkhani Coach: Heshmat Mohajerani Goal: Jahani 44 |
1 | - | 0 | AUSTRALIA Alan Maher, Gary Byrne, Peter Wilson, Col Bennett, Col Curran, Gary Marocchi, Jimmy Rooney, Peter Stone, Adrian Alston, Peter Ollerton, Atti Abonyi (John Nyskohus) Coach: Jim Shoulder | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Australia officially bowed out of the 1978 World Cup with a 1-0 loss to Iran in front of 100,000 Iranian fans. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last updated: 10 December 2021.