A 10 year career sees the striker inducted into the Hall of Fame | Credit: Getty Images A 10 year career sees the striker inducted into the Hall of Fame | Credit: Getty Images

Matildas striker Linda “Sunni” Hughes has been inducted into the FFA Hall of Fame at the 2013 Function in Melbourne.

Hughes played 78 internationals for the Matildas from 1989-2000, scoring 24 times and participated in the Matildas' first ever World Cup campaign in 1995 FIFA World Cup and the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

From the football rich Hunter region, Hughes first represented Australian in the Oceania Cup in 1989 and enjoyed a 10 year career with the national team.  Hughes was inducted alongside Socceroos goalkeeper Jim Fraser.

“Jimmy and Sunni have both made invaluable contributions to the Australian football history and thoroughly deserve to take their place in the FFA Hall of Fame,” said FFA Chief Executive Officer David Gallop.

“They join an incredibly esteemed group of former players, coaches and volunteers who have helped shape Australian football to the point where we are currently enjoying unprecedented growth.

“I congratulate Jimmy and Sunni and on behalf of the entire Football Family I thank them for the contribution they have made to football.”

Linda ‘Sunni’ Hughes biography

Born: 9 June 1968, Newcastle

Position: Forward

Australian women's national team stats: 63 A-Internationals (24 goals). All Internationals 78 (24 goals) from 1989–2000

National team honours: 1995 FIFA Women’s World Cup, 2000 Olympic Games

Clubs: Toronto Awaba, Adamstown, Furtuna Hjorring (Denmark), Matsushita Bambina (Japan), Hunter Region, Northern NSW Pride

Winger Linda ‘Sunni’ Hughes from Northern New South Wales first represented Australia in the third Oceania Cup in 1989. A speedy, agile forward she scored over 20 goals in this decade for Australia in a 10-year career as a forward. She played in the 1991 World Cup qualifiers scoring six goals in two matches against Papua New Guinea. She represented Australia in the 1992 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers scoring a further two goals against Papua New Guinea, and during the first game of Australia’s first participation in the World Cup in 1995 scored Australia’s second goal in the 4-2 loss to China. Teaming successfully with co-striker Murray, she played 78 internationals including all three matches in the 1995 FIFA Women’s World Cup and in the 2000 Olympic Games when she scored in Australia’s 1-2 loss to Brazil.