Senior Appearances (A/Non-A): 22 (22/0)
Senior Goals (A/Non-A): 7 (7/0)
Senior 'A' Debut: vs France (won 1-0), Korea (CC), June 2001
Last Senior 'A' Match: v Uruguay (World Cup qualifying play-off), Sydney, November 2005
Has established himself in the tough Italian Serie A with Parma and is a regular starter for the side. Explosive midfielder, who can score goals, it was his goal that earned Australia a 1-0 win over Uruguay in the second leg and led to Australia going through to the World Cup In Germany 2006. After several seasons with Carlton in National League, moved to Italy to play with Empoli, where he quickly impressed. He became Australia's highest transferred player when he moved from Empoli to Italian giant Parma before the start of the 2002/03 season. Burst onto international scene at the Confederations Cup in 2001 and ever since has been one of the first players picked for the national team. Marco Bresciano proved himself one of Guus Hiddink’s best and most-cultured performers in the final run-up to qualification for the 2006 FIFA World Cup™. The Parma player possesses a pinpoint passing ability and is the man responsible for taking Australia’s set-pieces. Born in Melbourne in 1980, he began his career with Carlton in his native Australia before moving to the land of his ancestors in Italy to join Empoli in 1999. After some consistently impressive displays, Parma swooped for the midfielder in 2003 for an astounding seven million euros, the highest amount ever paid for an Australian footballer. Bresciano showed just why Parma were so willing to spend big on him when he struck eight goals in 33 appearances in the 2003/04 season – no mean feat for a midfielder in Serie A. Often compared to Australian team-mate Tim Cahill, his ability to get forward into attack and his incisive eye for goal have made him one of Australia’s most successful exports in recent years. The pressures of the cauldron-like atmosphere of Italian football have turned Bresciano into the consummate professional and his performances throughout his time at Parma have made him a key player for the club. He lined up for Australia at the 2000 Olympic Football Tournament in Sydney and made four appearances as the Socceroos claimed third place at the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup. However, he was excused by then coach Frank Farina from the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup in Germany to help Parma in their ultimately successful fight for survival in Serie A. His status as a hero Down Under was sealed on 16 November 2005 when he scored the only goal of the second leg of the intercontinental play-off against Uruguay, to bring Australia level following their first-leg loss in Montevideo. A miskick from substitute Harry Kewell put the ball into his path and he powered home a shot from close range, sending the tie to a penalty shoot-out, which the Socceroos won 4-2. Looking ahead the tournament Bresciano is confident of Australia’s prospects. “We've got an 18-20 man squad, with good ability,” he said. “Putting them all together should make us a very good team. In our sport the pinnacle is to play in the World Cup and hopefully this time we'll get to make a big impression.” With his fine set-piece delivery and nose for goal, Bresciano is ready to help Australia make their mark on the world’s biggest stage. Marco Bresciano proved himself one of Guus Hiddink’s best and most-cultured performers in the final run-up to qualification for the 2006 FIFA World Cup™. The Parma player possesses a pinpoint passing ability and is the man responsible for taking Australia’s set-pieces. Born in Melbourne in 1980, he began his career with Carlton in his native Australia before moving to the land of his ancestors in Italy to join Empoli in 1999. After some consistently impressive displays, Parma swooped for the midfielder in 2003 for an astounding seven million euros, the highest amount ever paid for an Australian footballer. Bresciano showed just why Parma were so willing to spend big on him when he struck eight goals in 33 appearances in the 2003/04 season – no mean feat for a midfielder in Serie A. Often compared to Australian team-mate Tim Cahill, his ability to get forward into attack and his incisive eye for goal have made him one of Australia’s most successful exports in recent years. The pressures of the cauldron-like atmosphere of Italian football have turned Bresciano into the consummate professional and his performances throughout his time at Parma have made him a key player for the club. He lined up for Australia at the 2000 Olympic Football Tournament in Sydney and made four appearances as the Socceroos claimed third place at the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup. However, he was excused by then coach Frank Farina from the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup in Germany to help Parma in their ultimately successful fight for survival in Serie A. His status as a hero Down Under was sealed on 16 November 2005 when he scored the only goal of the second leg of the intercontinental play-off against Uruguay, to bring Australia level following their first-leg loss in Montevideo. A miskick from substitute Harry Kewell put the ball into his path and he powered home a shot from close range, sending the tie to a penalty shoot-out, which the Socceroos won 4-2. Looking ahead the tournament Bresciano is confident of Australia’s prospects. “We've got an 18-20 man squad, with good ability,” he said. “Putting them all together should make us a very good team. In our sport the pinnacle is to play in the World Cup and hopefully this time we'll get to make a big impression.” With his fine set-piece delivery and nose for goal, Bresciano is ready to help Australia make their mark on the world’s biggest stage.
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