Attila Abonyi scored his first of three international goals against New Zealand in November 1967.
21 Facts About Attila Abonyi
1.
2.
Attila Abonyi did not play regular football in Hungary, as he could not play junior competitive football until the age of twelve.
3.
Attila Abonyi migrated from Budapest to Melbourne at age 10 after the Hungarian Revolution of 1956.
4.
Attila Abonyi started playing for the St Kilda junior club when he turned 11 years old.
5.
Attila Abonyi moved to his home club Melbourne Hungaria at age 14 until he made the senior team in 1962.
6.
Attila Abonyi played his senior debut for Melbourne Hungaria in 1962 at 15 years of age in the old Victorian State League.
7.
In 1967 Attila Abonyi was a key player in helping the club achieve their first ever State League title.
8.
Attila Abonyi was the top goalscorer for that season with 31 goals in 29 games, and he scored the goal that won them the title.
9.
Attila Abonyi moved to Sydney and joined St George-Budapest between 1969 and 1976 where he was part of three NSW State League titles, before finishing his career with Sydney Croatia between 1977 and 1979.
10.
In June 1975, Attila Abonyi made a guest appearance for a touring Manchester United side, coming on as a substitute for David McCreery against Queensland.
11.
Attila Abonyi made his debut for the Australia national team in May 1967 when he played against Scotland.
12.
Attila Abonyi was well known for being a member of the Australian 1974 World Cup squad in West Germany and represented New South Wales and Victoria.
13.
Attila Abonyi scored 25 international goals for Australia in 61 games between 1967 and 1977 making him tied as the fifth highest goal scorer for Australia.
14.
Attila Abonyi made a total of 88 appearances for Australia and scored 36 goals.
15.
Attila Abonyi then moved to Melita as a coach only, where they won the minor premiership and lost the grand final.
16.
Attila Abonyi was then offered a full-time job with Riverwood, the only full-time coaching position in the state league at the time.
17.
Attila Abonyi moved to Canberra in 1983 and coached Canberra City in the National Soccer League.
18.
Attila Abonyi was sacked halfway through the season because of poor results and high expectations by the board.
19.
Attila Abonyi later lived in Coffs Harbour on the north coast of New South Wales.
20.
Attila Abonyi died on 6 July 2023, at the age of 76.
21.
Attila Abonyi made a lap of honour on the MCG at half time of the 1998 World Cup qualifier against Iran.