The day the Socceroos knocked over the world champs

Back when friendlies felt like world cup finals. I remember staying up late to watch us play Kuwait and I literally had the shakes I was so nervous.

These days couldnt give a fuck unless its a world cup fixture.

1988 Bicentennial Gold Cup- Australia 4- Argentina 1. That was a match where we beat the reigning world champions before the one mentioned in the article. One of my earliest memories of how much football can amaze and excite you. Here was little old us beating the world champs. Wow!

Did attend said game.

memories 

Let us not forget Australia's triumphs in consecutive Merlion Cups (1983-1984), in the days when SBS would televise every socceroo encounter, including all the youth world cups (the days when we used to do quite well at youth level).

Australia actually beat Argentinas Olympic team, not the full team.

In 1988, there was no distinction between the Olympic and national teams. that was the first tournament the Olympics allowed professional players. it was only from 1992 on that they were under 23 squads. the team Australia beat in 1988 was the FULL National team of Argentina coached by Bilardo. if he choose to only include 3 of the team that won the world cup, that was his choice.

But of course you must realise that in 1988 Australian players were technical and tactically inferior to present day players. If you divide the percentage of one on one duels won by the square root of the strikers' conversion rate, and then add the number of seconds of proactive possession multiplied by the reactive turnovers of the milieu, not forgetting to subtract the coach's age in months, you get a very poor result (wink)

Oscar Ruggeri was captain of the Argentine team that lost 4-1 Australia. He wasn't in the Argentine Olympic squad that played in Seoul that year. Why? because he was captain of the senior national team.

So only 2 of their first choice played, although Simeone made his debut that night. If you had beaten them with Cannigia and Maradonna etc etc, then yes scream it from the rooftops.

"You..."??  I suppose you are some sort of rugby league troll, jostling for space on this forum with Mr Fooball and his ilk.

The match was counted as a full international by both national associations. That's good enough for me.

Charlie from 35 metres out!

Nothing of the sort.They don't really play Rugby League where i'm from.
I see you are easily amused anyway, getting all excited about friendly matches.