Okon: Beating England Wasn’t Easy for Socceroos
Paul Okon, one of Australia’s finest midfielders, didn’t rack up as many Socceroos appearances as you’d expect just 28 caps between 1991 and 2003 but he captained the team 24 times and was right in the thick of some unforgettable moments. From the highs of defeating football giants to the lows of heartbreaking losses, Okon saw it all. And one memory that stands out? That stunning 3-1 win over England at Upton Park in 2003. “Beating England wasn’t easy,” Okon admits, but it was a massive moment for the team and for Aussie football.
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Memorable Clashes and the French Fallout
Okon led Australia during a golden spell, including a third-place finish at the 2001 Confederations Cup. That tournament saw the Socceroos defeat both reigning world champions France and future 2002 champs Brazil. That win over France? Yeah, it definitely left a mark. So much so that when the French visited Australia for a friendly a year later, the tension was thick. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, but things got heated especially after a classic Kevin Muscat challenge sparked a scuffle. Okon jumped in just to check things out, but soon found himself face-to-face (and airborne) thanks to Marcel Desailly. “I was like, ‘Sorry, sorry!’” he laughs, remembering the chaos.
A Night to Remember at Upton Park
One of Okon’s final acts in the green and gold was leading the Socceroos to that unforgettable win over England. Few gave them a chance, but thanks to stars like Harry Kewell, they pulled off a massive upset. Okon says the team wasn’t shocked they’d pulled off similar results before. “We just hadn’t managed to qualify for a World Cup yet,” he said. With plenty of Aussies playing club football in England, there was loads of banter before the match. The win meant even more considering the history between the nations across multiple sports.
A Nod to Sven and What Could’ve Been
That England side was managed by Sven-Göran Eriksson, the same coach who brought Okon to Lazio back in 1996. Okon had only kind words for the late Swede, praising his people skills and character. Though his stint in Italy didn’t quite pan out just 19 league games over three years Okon looks back fondly. He admits there were other offers, including from PSV and Stuttgart, and maybe in hindsight, a different move might have been better. But when Lazio comes calling, and you’re dreaming of Serie A as a kid? “It’s hard to say no,” he said. Especially when your football heroes all came from Italy.
