Forty years ago this week, New Zealand’s All Whites achieved a double success against their arch-rivals, the Australian Socceroos.
In a two-match series, New Zealand beat the Australians 2-1 in Auckland and then 2-0 in the return fixture in Melbourne.
The games signalled the changing of the guard in terms of All Whites coaching staff.
The New Zealand squad was selected by outgoing coach John Adshead, who the year before had taken the All Whites to the FIFA World Cup finals in Spain.
The team for the 1983 series with Australia was prepared by Kevin Fallon, Adshead’s assistant from the 1982 campaign.
Arriving as the new national coach was Allan Jones who, in the match programme for the Auckland game, said he was being “catapulted” into the role.
In the games, New Zealand came from being a goal down at half-time to win 2-1 at Mt Smart Stadium, thanks to goals from Ken Cresswell and Ricki Herbert.
In the return fixture, New Zealand again finished with a strong second half, winning 2-0 with goals from midfielder Duncan Cole and defender Glen Adam.
Match highlights
Watch the goals from Ken Cresswell and Rick Herbert at Mt Smart Stadium here:
Result (Game 1)
Game played on Tuesday February 22, 1983
Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
Attendance: 3,500
New Zealand 2 (Ken Cresswell 47′, Ricki Herbert 69′)
Australia 1 (John Kosmina 36′)
Line-ups
New Zealand
Barry Pickering, Duncan Cole, Ricki Herbert, Adrian Elrick, Grant Turner, Allan Boath (captain), Ken Cresswell, Alex Metzger (Peter Henry 83′), Keith Mackay, Keith Nelson, Ron Armstrong.
Coach: Allan Jones.
Australia
Martyn Crook, Alan Davidson, David Ratcliffe, Steve Blair, Alan Niven, Peter Katholos, Gary Byrne, George Christopoulos, Philip O’Connor (Marshall Soper 67′), John Kosmina (captain), David Mitchell.
Coach: Les Scheinflug.
Referee
Bill Munro (New Zealand).
Match programme
Click on image to open digital version of match programme:
Result (Game 2)
Game played on Sunday February 27, 1983
Olympic Park, Melbourne
Attendance: 14,000
Australia 0
New Zealand 2 (Duncan Cole 65′, Glen Adam 71′)
Line-ups
Australia
Martyn Crook, David Ratcliffe, Alan Davidson, Steve Blair, George Christopoulos, Alan Niven, Peter Katholos, Gary Byrne, David Mitchell, John Kosmina (captain) (Marshall Soper 75′), Philip O’Connor.
Coach: Les Scheinflug.
New Zealand
Barry Pickering, Adrian Elrick, Ricki Herbert, Ron Armstrong, Allan Boath (captain) (Glen Adam 18′), Grant Turner, Keith Mackay, Duncan Cole, Ken Cresswell, Keith Nelson (Billy McClure 80′), Steve Wooddin.
Coach: Allan Jones.
Referee
Jack Johnston (Australia).
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