Australian football is mourning the passing of Socceroos great Attila Abonyi. Born in Budapest in 1946, Abonyi migrated to Melbourne with his family in 1957.

In a celebrated playing career, he scored 25 goals in 61 ‘A’ internationals and wore the green and gold 89 times in total between 1967 and 1977.

“Football Australia and the Socceroos family” in a statement to media said that they “are saddened to hear of the passing of cap #191, 1974 FIFA World Cup representative and Football Australia Hall of Fame member”

Chairman of Football Australia, Chris Nikou paid tribute to Abonyi and his contribution to the game in Australia.

“Today we mourn the loss of one of the greats of our game in Attila Abonyi,” Nikou said.

“Attila was part of a brigade of pioneers who brought football into the wider consciousness of the Australian public, particularly through that historic FIFA World Cup appearance in 1974.

“An unbelievable talent whose attacking prowess was revered across the country, Atilla’s story and career typified football in Australia during that period and his influence has been integral to the development of the game as we know it today.

“A deserved Hall of Fame inductee, Atilla will be remembered for his role as a player and a coach in the growth of football in Australia.

“On behalf of Football Australia, our thoughts are with Atilla’s family and friends during this difficult time,” Nikou said.

Abonyi scored 25 goals in 61 ‘A’ Internationals and pulled on the green and gold 89 times in total.

He was inducted to the Football Australia Hall of Fame in 1999 and remains the Socceroos’ equal fifth-highest goalscorer of all time, alongside John Kosmina.

The Hungary-born striker is Australia’s equal fifth highest goalscorer of all time and is recognised by many as one of the greatest attacking talents to represent the nation.

A St Kilda junior from 1958, he developed as a striker, playing in the Victorian State League as a 15-year-old and representing the Victorian state team by age 17.

Abonyi made his senior international debut in 1967, scoring 11 times in his first nine games for his country at the age of 20.

These matches were played in war-torn Vietnam as part of the Quốc Khánh Cup (Friendly Nations Tournament), which saw Australia defeat some of Asia’s strongest nations to win the nation’s first ever piece of international silverware.With two hat-tricks in the group stage and a goal in the final, Abonyi’s contributions helped steer Australia to a historic victory.

In the 1974 World Cup when playing against hosts and eventual winners West Germany, one particular shot from Abonyi was denied by Sepp Maier’s goal frame – inches away from what would have been Australia’s first World Cup goal.

At club level, Abonyi played with Melbourne Hungaria (1962–1968) and NSW clubs St George Budapest (1969–1976) and Sydney Croatia (1977–1979). At Melbourne Hungaria his hat-trick in the 1967 Australia Cup final secured a 4-3 victory against APIA Leichhardt, which complimented the Victorian state league title for Hungaria that year.

He won five premierships as a player in New South Wales, two with St George, and three in a row with Sydney Croatia.

His career in Sydney included four state league Grand Final victories, during a time where he was the top scorer in NSW in 1972 and 1973 and represented NSW’s state side several times.

After turning to coaching, Abonyi won three NSW championships in a row: two as player-coach with Sydney Croatia (1978 and 1979), and then with Melita Eagles in 1980.

He was Head Coach stints with national league teams Canberra City and Sydney Croatia, and between 1985 and 1986, assisted Socceroos Head Coach Frank Arok.

Attila Abonyi – Socceroo stats, appearances and goals

89 international appearances (36 goals) 1967–1977

A internationals: 61 games (25 goals)

Non-A internationals: 28 games (11 goals)