Episode Summary
Hosts
Graham Dunn, Jamie Rooney
Shane Guiliano
Guest(s)
Release Date
11 May 2023
Duration
65 min
In this great fun double header of By Far The Greatest Team, hosts Graham Dunn and Jamie Rooney are joined by Australian football fan Shane Guiliano to celebrate Australia’s 2006 World Cup team — a squad that marked a historic breakthrough after decades of heartbreak and near misses.
Returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1974, and still representing the Oceania Confederation, Australia arrived in Germany 2006 with a mix of determination and flair under the charismatic guidance of Guus Hiddink. Featuring a golden core of players — Mark Viduka, Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill, Mark Schwarzer, Lucas Neill, and John Aloisi — this was a side capable of standing toe-to-toe with the world’s best.
The conversation explores how Hiddink transformed belief into performance, masterminding comeback victories and tactical discipline that took the Socceroos to the knockout stages for the first time in their history. Their dramatic last-16 clash with eventual champions Italy — decided by a controversial late penalty — remains one of the most heartbreaking moments in Australian sporting history.
This episode pairs with Zaire 1974, another story of World Cup identity and pride, as the hosts examine what it means for a nation to arrive on football’s biggest stage.
Ultimately, Australia 2006 were more than just qualifiers — they were trailblazers. Their run changed the trajectory of Australian football, inspiring a new generation and paving the way for a lasting legacy in the AFC era that followed.
Takeaways
Australia 2006 ended a 32-year World Cup drought with style and belief.
Guus Hiddink instilled a new tactical discipline and international confidence.
The team’s spirit and resilience captured the imagination of a nation.
Their loss to Italy remains one of the World Cup’s great “what if” moments.
The 2006 squad paved the way for Australia’s future in the AFC and beyond.
Australia 2006: The Socceroos’ Breakthrough
The Australia 2006 World Cup squad marked a watershed in the nation’s footballing history — a side that ended a 32-year absence from the world stage and proved that the Socceroos could compete with the very best.
Guided by the tactical genius of Guus Hiddink, Australia arrived at Germany 2006 with a squad built on grit, technical ability, and belief. Players like Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka, and Tim Cahill gave the team attacking power and experience, while Mark Schwarzer and Lucas Neill provided defensive steel. Their journey began with a dramatic qualification — sealed by John Aloisi’s famous penalty against Uruguay — and built towards one of the most inspiring tournament runs in Australian sporting memory.
In the group stage, Australia battled from behind to beat Japan 3–1, drew with Croatia, and secured passage to the knockout rounds for the first time. In the round of 16, they faced eventual champions Italy, matching them in intensity and courage before falling to a controversial stoppage-time penalty.
Though their exit was cruel, the legacy was immense. Australia 2006 united a sports-mad nation around football, bridging the gap between domestic passion and global recognition. Their success prompted a permanent move from the Oceania Confederation to the AFC, setting a foundation for consistent qualification and development in the years ahead.
The Socceroos of 2006 didn’t just compete — they believed. They changed how Australia saw football and how football saw Australia.
Main Topics
Iconic Moments
Australia’s long road to World Cup qualification
The influence of Guus Hiddink on belief and tactics
The 2006 squad’s key players and leadership
The dramatic round-of-16 exit vs Italy
The shift from Oceania to the Asian Football Confederation
Legacy and cultural impact of the 2006 campaign
John Aloisi’s penalty that sealed qualification vs Uruguay
The comeback win over Japan in the group stage
Late heartbreak vs Italy in the last 16
Hiddink’s tactical masterclass throughout the tournament
The Socceroos’ emotional lap of honour in Germany
Notable Manager
Notable Players
Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka, Tim Cahill, Mark Schwarzer, Lucas Neill, John Aloisi, Craig Moore, Vince Grella, Jason Culina, Brett Emerton, Marco Bresciano
Style of Play
4-2-3-1 Formation, Structured Defence, Counter-Attacking, Tactical Flexibility, Physical Resilience, Midfield Pressing, Late Runs From Deep
Under Guus Hiddink, Australia 2006 were an intelligent, resilient, and tactically adaptive side that thrived on balance and discipline. Operating primarily in a 4-2-3-1 system, the Socceroos combined structured organisation with bursts of attacking aggression and wide play.
The defence, led by Lucas Neill and Craig Moore, was compact and physical, while goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer provided vital security behind them. In midfield, Vince Grella and Jason Culina controlled tempo and transitions, freeing creative outlets like Harry Kewell and Marco Bresciano to exploit space. Up front, Mark Viduka’s hold-up play allowed Australia to link phases effectively, while Tim Cahill’s late runs from midfield became a trademark attacking weapon.
Hiddink’s hallmark was tactical flexibility — switching shapes mid-game, pressing high in spurts, and demanding defensive discipline. The result was a team that combined European-style structure with the raw heart of Australian sport.
Their performances in Germany reflected courage, adaptability, and emotional energy. Against Japan and Croatia, they showed composure; against Italy, defiance. Australia 2006 were a team that made the world take notice — not for flashy football, but for fearless football.
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