A good measurement of how far we have we come is the AWs lineup verus Socceroos in a corresponding friendly at Loftus Road, June 2005. The Socceroos with so many of their 'Golden Generation' that did so well at the Germany WC in 2006. A host of EPL players.
I know the AWs had a heap of players like Nelsen, Elliott, Vicelich etc unavailable. But this was their starting lineup. So yeah have come a long way.
And if that AWs team could nearly cause an upset (losing to a late Colosimo goal) then this one certainly can.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2005/06/09/world/friendlies/australia/new-zealand/361808/
M. Paston
D. Mulligan
C. Bunce
S. Old
D. Hay
M. Wilson
T. Brown
A. Webster
N. Hickey
V. Coveny
B. Fisher
I know the AWs had a heap of players like Nelsen, Elliott, Vicelich etc unavailable. But this was their starting lineup. So yeah have come a long way.
And if that AWs team could nearly cause an upset (losing to a late Colosimo goal) then this one certainly can.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2005/06/09/world/friendlies/australia/new-zealand/361808/
M. Paston
D. Mulligan
C. Bunce
S. Old
D. Hay
M. Wilson
T. Brown
A. Webster
N. Hickey
V. Coveny
B. Fisher