Australia V South Africa - Statistical Preview

This week’s match between the Socceroos and South Africa marks the 19th meeting between the two countries at senior full-international level.

This week-s match between the Socceroos and South Africa marks the 19th meeting between the two countries at senior full-international level.

In 18 previous encounters, starting from 1947, South Africa holds the upper hand with 11 wins, Australia has won 6 and there has been one draw.

In South Africa there has been five previous meetings, South Africa winning three and Australia winning the remaining two.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS - AUSTRALIA v SOUTH AFRICA

10.05.47 Australia 1 - South Africa 2 (Sydney) 24.05.47 Australia 2 - South Africa 4 (Brisbane) 31.05.47 Australia 3 - South Africa 3 (Sydney) 07.06.47 Australia 5 - South Africa 1 (Newcastle) 14.06.47 Australia 1 - South Africa 2 (Sydney) 24.06.50 Australia 2 - South Africa 3 (Durban) 01.07.50 Australia 1 - South Africa 2 (Johannesburg) 08.07.50 Australia 2 - South Africa 1 (Port Elizabeth) 23.07.50 Australia 2 - South Africa 0 (Cape Town) 03.09.55 Australia 0 - South Africa 3 (Brisbane) 10.09.55 Australia 0 - South Africa 2 (Melbourne) 17.09.55 Australia 0 - South Africa 8 (Adelaide) 24.09.55 Australia 0 - South Africa 6 (Sydney) 01.10.55 Australia 1 - South Africa 4 (Newcastle) 08.06.94 Australia 1 - South Africa 0 (Adelaide) 12.06.94 Australia 1 - South Africa 0 (Sydney) 18.09.96 Australia 0 - South Africa 2 (Johannesburg) 30.03.04 Australia 1 - South Africa 0 (London)

The two countries have also played five times at under 23 level, from 1996 to 2000, with Australia winning three and South Africa winning one.

The Qantas Socceroo side which defeated South Africa 1-0 in London on 30 March 2004 was: Mark Schwarzer, Lucas Neill, Craig Moore, Tony Popovic, Stan Lazaridis, Josip Skoko, Marco Bresciano (Tim Cahill 75'), Scott Chipperfield, Brett Emerton (Mile Sterjovski 75'), Harry Kewell (David Zdrilic 64'), Mark Viduka (John Aloisi 64'). Bresciano scored Australia-s goal in the 19th minute, a volley from 10 metres out.

The Australian senior side has only travelled to Africa on four previous occasions, in 1950 (a tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa), 1969 (World Cup qualification matches against Zimbabwe), 1996 (South Africa-s Simba Cup) and 1997 (friendly against Tunisia). In 13 matches in Africa against all countries, Australia has won 8, lost 3 and drawn 2.

PLAYER MILESTONES

An appearance by TONY VIDMAR (pictured above) against South Africa would be his 82nd international appearance, and would extend his Qantas Socceroo career to 14 years and three days; this would make Vidmar the first player with an Australian national team playing career lasting more than 14 years.

A goal by ARCHIE THOMPSON against South Africa would be his 18th goal for the Socceroos, and would put Thompson in the top ten all-time scorers for the national team.

Meanwhile FRANK FARINA is set to coach his 54 international match for the Socceroos against South Africa; only Rale Rasic (58 matches), Eddie Thomson (84 matches) and Frank Arok (89 matches) have coached more international matches for Australia.

UPDATED QANTAS SOCCEROO PLAYER AND COACH TALLIES as at 8 February 2005

MOST APPEARANCES all internationals: 116 appearances Peter Wilson (1970-1979) 115 Paul Wade (1985-1996) 113 Alex Tobin (1988-1999) 100 John Kosmina (1976-1988) 100 Jimmy Rooney (1971-1980) 89 Attila Abonyi (1967-1977) 86 Charlie Yankos (1983-1990) 85 Graham Arnold (1985-1997) 81 TONY VIDMAR (1991-2004) 78 Graham Jennings (1983-1989)

HIGHEST GOALSCORERS all internationals: 42 goals John Kosmina (1976-1988) 36 Attila Abonyi (1967-1977) 34 Graham Arnold (1985-1997) 29 Damian Mori (1992-2002) 21 Ray Baartz (1967-1974) 21 Gary Cole (1975-1984) 20 Peter Ollerton (1974-1977) 19 David Zdrilic (1997-2004) 18 Aurelio Vidmar (1988-2001) 17 John Aloisi (1997-2004) 17 Adrian Alston (1969-1977) 17 Eddie Krncevic (1979-1989) 17 ARCHIE THOMPSON (2001-2004)

MOST GAMES COACHED all internationals: 89 games Frank Arok (1983-1990) 84 Eddie Thomson (1984-1996) 58 Rale Rasic (1970-1974) 53 FRANK FARINA (1999-2004) 47 Jim Shoulder (1976-1978)

TRIVIA TIME - AUSTRALIA-S FASCINATING FOOTBALL LINKS WITH SOUTH AFRICA

AUSTRALIA-S ALL-TIME RECORD DEFEAT in a full senior international match was at the hands of South Africa, when the touring South Africans won 8-0 in Adelaide in September 1955.

South Africa-s 8-0 victory over Australia in 1955 also stands as SOUTH AFRICA-S ALL-TIME RECORD VICTORY in a full international.

Australia-s LONGEST LOSING STREAK in full internationals were all matches against South Africa, Australia losing a record five in a row when South Africa toured in September-October 1955.

The LONGEST TOUR OF AUSTRALIA by a national football team, perhaps in any football code, was a four month tour by the South Africans in 1947. The marathon tour started in mid-April and ended in mid-August 1947, incorporating 23 games; the South Africans scored 113 goals to 31 in these 23 matches, notching up 21 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw.

Australia-s FIRST TOUR OVERSEAS, excluding to New Zealand, was a six match tour of Zimbabwe (then called Rhodesia) and South Africa in June-July 1950; Australia won four and lost two of these matches.

Many SOUTH AFRICAN BORN PLAYERS have made their mark on football in Australia, including arguably Australia-s most successful export Craig Johnston, and former Socceroos Kim Taliadoros, Richard Miranda and Bill Rogers.

Former prominent Australian national team players Tony Henderson (50 international appearances) and George Blues (16 international appearances) PLAYED FOR SOUTH AFRICAN CLUBS, including Durban City, before migrating to Australia.

STUART BAXTER, South Africa-s current coach, played in Australia-s National Soccer League (NSL), for South Melbourne in 1978-1979.

Similarly, Augusto Palacios, coach of South Africa in its historic first World Cup qualification campaign in 1993, played and coached in the NSL, for Canberra City in 1986.

Australia-s 46-month pre-2000 Olympics campaign started and ended with victories against South Africa.

Stats courtesy of Andrew Howe - Official FFA Statistician