Lucas Neill vs Mark Bresciano
Australia against Australia. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Lucas Neill
Australia · 2002–11 · CB
- Almanac rating
- 84
- Rank in Australia
- #7 of 33
- Caps
- 96 · 1 goals
- Clubs
- Millwall, Blackburn Rovers, West Ham United
In the last seconds against Italy at Kaiserslautern on 26 June 2006, Neill slid across in front of Fabio Grosso, Grosso went over the top of him, and Totti converted the penalty that put Australia out. He captained his country a record 61 times in 96 caps, led the side at the 2010 World Cup and to the 2011 Asian Cup final, and was part of the Blackburn squad that won the League Cup in 2002. Career record: 96 caps and 1 goals for Australia; club career at Millwall, Blackburn Rovers, West Ham United.
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 cannot separate them: both are rated 84.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.