Josip Skoko

Only a month after scoring his first international goal against Hungary, a 25-year-old Skoko was stationed at full-back against Czech Republic, one of his less favoured positions. Still in the early years of his national team duty, Skoko was a midfield general for Belgian side Genk, current owners of Socceroo goalkeeper Danny Vukovic.

Another golden generation player, but most of us still remember him for his stunning goal in front of 95,000 at the MCG against Greece in the Socceroos World Cup sendoff.

He was most recently coaching youngsters at the North Geelong Warriors.

Shaun Murphy

Murphy was always on the outside looking in on the Socceroos squad. After signing for English Second Division side Notts County in 1992 he didn’t get another look in for eight years.

Murphy’s career resurrected after signing for historic English club Sheffield United. At the age of 30 Murphy snuck his way back into the Socceroos frame under Frank Farina and played his sixth game for the Socceroos as a defensive midfielder and central defender against Czech Republic.  

He went on to make over 150 appearances for Sheffield and a total of 20 in green and gold before joining Perth Glory in their title winning season in the final year of the NSL.

Midfielders

Steve Corica

Corica was lining up alongside Kevin Muscat at Wolverhampton Wanderers back at the turn of the century, making 15 appearances in the 1999/2000 season. The Czech Republic match was his 27th cap for Australia as he played 57 minutes before being replaced by goalscorer Craig Foster.

It’s a tough road ahead for the new Sydney FC manager as he prepares to take over one of the biggest clubs in Australia.

Paul Okon

The former Central Coast Mariners coach was a seasoned professional at this stage of his career and was playing his eighteenth game for Australia. Okon had just traded Lazio and a lavish life in the Italian capital for a new challenge with Fiorentina.

Unfortunately for him, Lazio went on to take out the Serie A title the season following his departure, after Okon left due to a lack of chances ahead of talented midfielders Juan Sebastian Veron and Diego Simeone.

Okon was still playing at a higher level than most in the squad in a season that saw him play Champions League football against the likes of Barcelona and Bordeaux.