Lucas Neill

Lucas Neill (born March 9, 1978 in Sydney, Australia) is an Australian football (soccer) player who currently plays for Blackburn Rovers most often at right-back. He has been a regular member of the Australian national team and played at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney with the Olympic mens team. On 16 November 2005 at Sydney's Telstra Stadium, Neill helped Australia qualify for the

by scoring the Socceroos' second penalty in a shoot-out against Uruguay after aggregate scores were tied at 1-1 following extra-time.

Neill joined Blackburn from Millwall in September 2001, having initially played at the Australian Institute of Sport. Neill played 170 games for Millwall in total and played his first game for Blackburn on September 8 against Sunderland, and scored his first Blackburn goal on September 19 against Bolton Wanderers.

Neill is a combative, versatile player. He has played in all defensive positions during his professional career and is a key member of both his club and national starting eleven. He attended school at Wakehurst Primary School in Belrose and St. Augustine's College, in Brookvale, and came from the Northern Beaches of Sydney.

Lucas's father Eddie is originally from Bangor, Northern Ireland. Eddie formerly played for north Belfast side Brantwood F.C., and left Ulster for Australia 30 years ago.

Neill is held in high regard among Blackburn Rovers supporters largely due to his never say die, determined attitude. He is one of Blackburn Rovers' most consistent performers and has held the right back position for over 2 years without any competition.

He has been selected in the Australian squad for the 2006 World Cup and wears the No. 2 jersey.

Neill is currently competing in the World Cup and on June 22nd he helped Australia qualify for the second round of the World Cup, for the first time in their history, with a 2-2 draw vs Croatia. He has been in the starting XI for all three Group Stage games, in the position of Centre Back.