Brett Emerton vs Mark Bresciano
Australia against Australia. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Brett Emerton
Australia · 2000–04 · CM
- Almanac rating
- 83
- Rank in Australia
- #10 of 33
- Caps
- 95 · 20 goals
- Clubs
- Feyenoord Rotterdam, Blackburn Rovers, Sydney
The Olyroos went into their home Olympics in Sydney in September 2000 with Emerton, 21, wearing the armband. The UEFA Cup came in 2002, a booking against Inter keeping him out of the final Feyenoord won in their own stadium, and he added OFC Nations Cups in 2000 and 2004, Oceania Footballer of the Year in 2002, eight seasons at Blackburn and 95 caps with 20 goals. Career record: 95 caps and 20 goals for Australia; club career at Feyenoord Rotterdam, Blackburn Rovers, Sydney.
Mark Bresciano
Australia · 2004–15 · CM
- Almanac rating
- 84
- Rank in Australia
- #8 of 33
- Caps
- 84 · 13 goals
- Clubs
- Empoli, Parma Calcio 1913, Palermo
Thirty-five minutes into the Uruguay playoff in Sydney on 16 November 2005, the ball dropped to Bresciano six yards out and he put it into the roof of the net, then stood dead still with his fists clenched while Telstra Stadium came apart. The 2015 Asian Cup came a decade later, along with the 2004 OFC Nations Cup, a runners-up medal from the 2011 final, and 84 caps with 13 goals, sixth on Australia's all-time list. Career record: 84 caps and 13 goals for Australia; club career at Empoli, Parma Calcio 1913, Palermo.
The verdict
The almanac puts Mark Bresciano ahead by 1 rating point, 84 against 83.
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