The Socceroos first faced Hungary back in 1997 at the Nepstadion in Budapest where Aurelio Vidmar scored a brace in a 3-1 victory. While that year is more remembered by nightmares, it was one of many dominant performances from the Socceroos as the seeds of the golden generation were sewed. 

So who lined up under Terry Venables almost 22 years ago?

Goalkeeper


John Filan 

It was his second and last cap for the national team as the 27 year-old lined up between the sticks. Filan had donned the colours of Blackburn Rovers for the season after leaving Premier League club Coventry City.

Rovers were in the Champions League group stage for the season but Filan never managed any game time. He went on to play over 150 games for Wigan Athletic. 

He was recently named League One side Shrewsbury Town's assistant manager. 

Defenders 


Robbie Slater 

Positioned at right wing-back for the match against Hungary, a 32 year-old Slater was coming towards the end of his international career. He was plying his trade under Graeme Souness, the Saints had just escaped relegation from the Premier League. 

While the Hungary match was Slater's 19th international for Australia he hadn't yet scored in the green and gold. Belatedly that was to come only a few months later in a 13-0 shellacking of the Soloman Islands. 

Steve Horvat 

The 26 year-old Australian defender earned his ninth cap for the Socceroos against Hungary in 1997 having just moved on from Croatian giants Hajduk Split. 

Horvat had joined up with Carlton Soccer Club in their inaugural season in the National Soccer League (NSL) in which they finished runners up to Victorian rivals South Melbourne. He then tried his hand with Crystal Palace to no avail before returning to Carlton. 

Unfortunately in 2000/01 season Carlton SC folded eight rounds into the season. Horvat retired in 2003 at the age of 32 and is now a member of the West Melbourne Hyundai A-League bid. 

Tony Popovic 

In his 19th game for Australia Sydney United's 24 year-old centre back was stationed alongside Horvat and Tony VIdmar. 

 

After some unsuccessful seasons on loan at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Popovic was back at his home club of Sydney United for which he had already enjoyed seven encouraging seasons in the NSL. 

Popovic's career would take him back to Europe shortly after the Hungary match as he jetted off to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the J-League. 

He is now manager of A-League club Perth Glory. 

Tony Vidmar 

Central defender Tony Vidmar was lining up for his 25th cap for the Socceroos. At 27 years of age, Vidmar was on the cusp of his prime evident in his latest move to Eredivisie side NAC Breda who were gliding in mid table during his time. 

A warrior in defence, Vidmar was months away from joining Scottish giants Rangers. He went on to make 63 appearances for Australia. 

He is now assistant coach to Warren Joyce at Melbourne City.

Stan Lazaridis

An absolute terror to defenders, Lazaridis was deployed at left wing-back for the match against Hungary for his 14th international. 

The 25 year-old Western Australian was settling in at English Premier League side West Ham United under the tutelage of Harry Redknapp. After playing in just four matches in his first season, the 1996/97 season saw Lazaridis break into the first team playing 22 games.

Midfielders 


Josip Skoko 

A 22-year old Greek-Australian was making his second appearance for his country in Budapest, playing as one of two central midfielders. 

Looking at his record for the season you can understand the reasoning behind Skoko's inclusion in the national team.

He was enjoying his second season at Croatian giants Hajduk Split where he made 35 appearances in all competitions scoring 18 goals including goals against Fiorentina and Schalke in the UEFA Cup. 

Ned Zelic 

In Zelic's 21st appearance for Australia he was commanding midfield against Hungary. 

At 28 years of age Zelic had quickly hopped out of Germany and was plying his trade for Auxerre in the Ligue 1 who unfortunately just missed out on UEFA Cup qualification. 

It was Zelic's standout performances in the 1997 Confederations Cup which Australia finished runners-up to Brazil that got him a move back to Germany's top flight with 1860 Munich. 

He is now on Fox Sports reporting on the Hyundai A-League alongside fellow Socceroos of his era Mark Bosnich and Robbie Slater.

Forwards 


Graham Arnold 

At 34 years of age it was the final year that the current Socceroos coach in waiting would represent Australia. Against Hungary he pulled on the green and gold for the 52nd time having scored 20 goals for Australia. 

Arnold arguably had just faded out of his prime having spent the last three seasons at NAC Breda in the Eredivisie, making 63 appearances and scoring 35 goals. In 1997 he made the move to the J-League with Tony Popovic to Sanfrecce Hiroshima. 

He is now one of the most successful A-League coaches in history and is set to take over the Socceroos job after the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Aurelio Vidmar 

The 30 year-old was playing as a winger for Australia in his 21st match for his country. He was in fine form, scoring two of Australia's three goals in the 3-1 victory. 

Vidmar had broken some consistency in Belgium with KSV Waragrem and Standard Liege to hopping around Europe in the Netherlands and Switzerland before settling in Spain in 1996/97 with Tenerife. He made an impact, playing 25 matches in his first season. 

Vidmar went on to coach Adelaide United in the Hyundai A-League and most recently Bangkok Glass in Thailand. 

Mark Viduka 

A 22 year-old Mark Viduka was lining up for his fourth cap for Australia agsint Hungary playing alongside experienced heads of Graham Arnold and Aurelio Vidmar. 

By this time Viduka had jetted out of the NSL with Melbourne Knights and was banging in goals for fun at NK Croatia Zagreb in the Croatian First Division. After his second season he had already notched up an incredible record 51 appearances and 30 goals. 

Viduka's first international goal would come a few months later in a 3-0 victory over Tunisia.