Former Australia captain Murray Barnes dies

Former Australia captain Murray Barnes dies

Published Jan. 1, 2012 12:54 a.m. ET

Football Federation Australia says Murray Barnes, a former captain of the Socceroos who played 51 times for Australia, has died at the age of 57.

Barnes was the 24th captain of Australia and scored nine goals in internationals. He was appointed captain for the team's 1982 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign and led the team nine times in 1980 and 1981.

He also won four domestic championships with Sydney City Hakoah - the only National Soccer League club he played for - in 1977 and in the early 1980s.

FFA chief executive Ben Buckley said in a statement Sunday that Barnes ''will be remembered as a fierce competitor and as a proud Australian.'' Players in five A-League matches on Wednesday will wear black armbands in his memory.

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