Career
In October 1996, Neill became the third-youngest player, after Duncan Cummings and Harry Kewell when he played in a friendly game against Saudi Arabia, aged 18 years and 7 months.He also competed at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
On 16 November 2005 at Sydney's ANZ Stadium, Neill helped Australia qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup
Neill started all four of Australia's games at the 2006 World Cup, referee Luis Medina Cantalejo in the penalty area. Francesco Totti to score and give the Italians a 1–0 victory, knocking Australia out of the cup.
Following the World Cup, Neill expressed his desire to captain his
national side and on 6 October 2006 was named as the 50th player to
captain Australia. On 7 October 2006 he made his debut as the Socceroos'
captain in a 1–1 friendly against Paraguay. Four days later, in Sydney, he captained Australia again in an Asian Cup qualifying game, which Australia won 2–0.
On 2 June 2007, Neill captained the Socceroos again in a friendly match
against Uruguay at Sydney's Telstra Stadium in which Australia lost
2–1.
On 13 July 2007, in the dying seconds of the Socceroo's 3–1 loss to Iraq which resulted in Australia's elimination from the cup. Neill played his 50th game for Australia in a World Cup Qualifier against Japan, a game that Australia won 2–1 with Tim Cahill
