John Kosmina

Born in Adeliade in 1956, John Kosmina was encouraged by his father to take up soccer and became one of the game's best post war strikers. Kosmina’s career bloomed when he switched from Adelaide to the talented Sydney City in the National Soccer League – a move that led to national selection. He was one of the first Australians in the modern era to play professionally in England where he made several appearances for Arsenal. Kosmina captained the Socceroos in their appearance at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. During his career he played 102 games for Australia between 1976 and 1988, scoring 43 goals. Until 1993 he was one of only three players to have appeared 100 times for Australia. He scored 133 goals in the National Soccer League, a record that stood until the 1996/97 season. After retiring from playing, Kosmina became a national league coach, and has moved into punditry.