The Subway Socceroos have produced a near-faultless record in their Canberra clashes and have a chance of extending that record if they earn another victory when they take on New Zealand in the first leg of the Soccer Ashes.
The trans-Tasman rivals will once again play for the historic ‘ANZAC Soccer Ashes’ trophy – following the rediscovery of this unique piece of footballing history in 2023 – a powerful symbol of the two countries’ endearing partnership.
Australia has averaged 3.8 goals per game in the nation's capital, including five victories - scoring five goals four times - while experiencing one defeat in their six matches.
Here’s a rundown of how those games played out.
1996 | 5-0 win vs Tahiti | 1996 OFC Nations Cup Final
Australia welcomed Tahiti to Bruce Stadium in November 1996 as the teams played for that year’s two-legged OFC Nations Cup.
The Aussies went into the game with a commanding 6-0 lead, following a clinical performance at Olympic Stadium in Papeete, with former NSL forward Kris Trajanovski grabbing a four-goal haul.
The Socceroos did not take their foot off the gas in the second leg as Trajanovski notched a hat-trick while Robbie Hooker also got on the scoresheet.
Former captain Paul Wade also played his final match for the Socceroos that day.
2009 | 1-0 loss vs Kuwait | AFC Asian Cup 2011™ Qualifiers
The Socceroos next played in Canberra in 2009 at Bruce Stadium for their 2011 Asian Cup qualifier against Kuwait, suffering their only Canberra defeat to date.
The hosts conceded seven minutes before halftime and were unable to get back into the game, being edged out by Al-Azraq.
A-Leagues legend Archie Thompson was the main striker that day, with fellow former A-Leagues regulars Matthew McKay and Eugen Galekovic also in the squad.
2011 | 5-0 win vs Malaysia | International Friendly
Australia’s next trip to the capital came more than two years later, in 2011, for a friendly battle with Malaysia at Canberra Stadium.
The Socceroos made light work of their opponents, turning on the style and recording a 5-0 scoreline.
Luke Wilkshire gave the side a lead inside three minutes before a Joshua Kennedy brace and an Alex Brosque goal put the team four goals up going into the sheds.
Brosque bagged his second midway through the second half to round out the result for Australia.
2015 | 3-0 win vs Kyrgyzstan | FIFA World Cup 2018™ Qualifiers
The Socceroos played again in Canberra four years later, welcoming Kyrgyzstan to GIO Stadium for a 2018 World Cup qualifier.
Captain Mile Jedinak broke the deadlock from the spot five minutes before the break, and Tim Cahill doubled the side’s advantage soon after the restart.
Ildar Amirov scored an own goal for Kyrgyzstan, adding further gloss to the Socceroos' performance.
The result helped Australia back into a strong position in the battle for 2018 World Cup qualification.
2019 | 5-0 win vs Nepal | FIFA World Cup 2022™ Qualifiers
Australia returned to the capital four years later to play Nepal in 2019, as they looked to secure another step towards qualifying for the 2022 World Cup.
Current A-Leagues star Jamie Maclaren scored twice inside the first 20 minutes, and then Harry Souttar grabbed a debut goal midway through the first period.
Souttar scored his second just before the hour mark, and Maclaren notched his hat-trick in the dying embers of the match.
Defender Souttar announced himself to Australian fans that day.
On his return to Canberra on Tuesday, he will seek another clean sheet and continue his prolific goalscoring record that he started there around five years ago.
2024 | 5-0 win vs Lebanon | FIFA World Cup 2026™ Qualifiers
Having hosted Lebanon at CommBank Stadium a few days earlier, where the Aussies prevailed 2-0, the two sides would meet again the following week in March 2024. Lebanon would play its designated ‘home’ fixture in Canberra due to the conflict in the Middle East. It was the first match in the capital in almost five years.
Kusini Yengi opened the scoring inside two minutes after being quickest to react to his initial effort which ricocheted off the post. Despite the early lead, Lebanon did well to contain the Aussies who were unable to add to their advantage before the interval.
However, the floodgates opened in the second half, thanks to an own goal from Bassel Jradi, a Craig Goodwin brace and John Iredale scoring his maiden Socceroos goal.
Subway Socceroos v New Zealand
Friday, 5 September
GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick-off: 7.45pm AEST
Tickets: $29 Child, $31 Concession, $39 Adult, and $110 Family. Tickets from Ticketek.
Football Account Pre-Sale: 10.00am AEST on Tuesday, 24 June 2025.
General Public On-Sale: 4.00pm AEST Wednesday, 25 June 2025.
Broadcast: 10, 10 Play and Paramount+