OFC U-17 Championship 1999

Australia’s Joseph Di Iorio holds off the challenge of Brazil’s Ricardo at the Fifa 1999 U17 World Championships in New Zealand (Photo Credit:Action Images/Andrew Budd)

Australia joined hosts New Zealand at the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship™. It was a memorable year for OFC, as Australia created history by reaching the final of the World Championships. Despite an opening match defeat to Brazil, Australia rallied, and pulled off a 2-1 upset over Germany before edging Mali 1-0 to top Group C.

In Group A, hosts New Zealand were leading 1-0, when the USA score two goals in the second-half to snatch a 2-1 victory. They then suffered a successive defeat to Uruguay before grabbing their first-ever win at the tournament, with a 2-1 win over Poland in their final match.

Runners – up Australia collect they second place medals at Fifa 1999 U17’s World Championships – New Zealand (Photo Credit:Action Images/Andrew Budd)

Australia would take on Qatar in the quarterfinals whom they beat 1-0, before setting up a clash against the United States in the semi-finals. After 90 minutes and extra time the match finished 2-2, sending the game to a penalty shootout, with which Australia won 7-6 to reach the final for the first time in their history.

In the final, Australia came fell agonisingly short of becoming the first OFC member to win a FIFA title, losing on penalties 8-7 to Brazil in the final at North Harbour Stadium. Their achievement remains the best by any OFC age-group side at a FIFA event.