1989 Sydney Croatia FC season

Last updated

Sydney Croatia
1989 season
ChairmanRade Čikeš
Manager Vedran Rožić
Stadium Sydney Croatian Sports Centre
National Soccer League 7th
1989 NSL Cup First Round
Top goalscorer Graham Arnold (5)
Highest home attendance8,009 vs. Marconi Fairfield
(12 February 1989)
National Soccer League
Lowest home attendance1,508 vs. Heidelberg United
(5 July 1989)
National Soccer League
Average home league attendance3,674
Biggest win2-0
vs. Adelaide City
(29 January 1989)
National Soccer League
2-0 vs. Blacktown City
(28 June 1989)
National Soccer League
3-1 vs. Melbourne City JUST
(27 May 1989)
National Soccer League
3-1 vs. APIA Leichhardt
(June 11 1989)
National Soccer League
Biggest defeat0–3
vs. Marconi Fairfield
(10 May 1989)
National Soccer League
0-3 vs. St George-Budapest
(25 June 1989)
National Soccer League
  1988
1989-90  

The 1989 season saw Sydney Croatia embark on its sixth campaign in the NSL. They finished 7th out of 14 teams.

Contents

Following a successful 1988 campaign in which Sydney Croatia finished runners-up in the NSL Grand Final to Marconi Fairfield, player-coach Vedran Rožić retained the majority of the squad for the 1989 season. Despite high expectations, the club experienced inconsistent form and ultimately failed to qualify for the finals series.

Rožić departed Sydney Croatia at the end of the season, concluding a notable tenure that included winning the 1986 Northern Conference NSL Premiership, the 1987 NSL Cup, and guiding the team to the 1988 Grand Final. His leadership left a lasting legacy at the club.

The club's top goalscorer for the season was Graham Arnold, who scored five goals.

Players

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos.NationPlayer
FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Graham Arnold
DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Shane Clinch
MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Craig Foster
GK Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Tony Franken
DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Alan Hunter
FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Sean Ingham
DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Graham Jennings
DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Mark Jones
GK Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS John Krajnović
FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Tony Krslovic
FW Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg  PNG Manis Lamond
DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Blago Milićević
No.Pos.NationPlayer
DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Nick Orlić
MF Flag of Croatia.svg  CRO Ivan Petković
MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS David Rezo
MF Flag of Croatia.svg  CRO Vedran Rožić (Captain)
DF Flag of Croatia.svg  CRO Ante Rumora
MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Wally Savor
FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS David Seal
MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Robbie Slater
MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Tony Telisman
MF Flag of Albania.svg  ALB Burim Zajmi
MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Ned Zelic







Transfers in

No.
Pos.
Nat.
Name
Age
Moving from
Type
Transfer
window
Ends
Transfer
fee
Source
GK Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Krajnović23 Wollongong Macedonia Flag of Australia (converted).svg TransferPre-season Free [1] [2] [3]
MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ned Zelic 17 AIS Flag of Australia (converted).svg TransferPre-season Free [4] [5]

Transfers out

No.
Pos.
Nat.
Name
Age
Moving to
Type
Transfer
window
Transfer
fee
Source
GK Flag of Australia (converted).svg Greg Woodhouse 28 Avala Flag of Australia (converted).svg End of ContractPre-season Free [6] [7]
DF Flag of England.svg Andy Brockbank27 Avala Flag of Australia (converted).svg End of ContractPre-season Free [8]
MF Flag of England.svg David Fitzharris24 Avala Flag of Australia (converted).svg End of ContractPre-season Free [9] [10]
MF Flag of Argentina.svg Gustavo Cerro 19 Melita Eagles Flag of Australia (converted).svg End of ContractPre-season Free [11]
MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg Adrian Cisato19 Free Agent End of ContractPre-season Free [12]
FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Kero24 Free Agent End of ContractPre-season Free [13]
MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg Dragan Božić Free Agent End of ContractPre-season Free [14]

Mid-Season Gains

No.
Pos.
Nat.
Name
Age
Moving from
Type
Transfer
window
Ends
Transfer
fee
Source
MF Flag of Croatia.svg Ante Rumora 28 Dinamo Zagreb Flag of Croatia.svg TransferMid-season Free [15] [16]
MF Flag of Albania.svg Burim Zajmi28 APIA Leichhardt Flag of Australia (converted).svg TransferMid-season Free [17] [18] [19]

Mid-Season Losses

No.
Pos.
Nat.
Name
Age
Moving to
Type
Transfer
window
Transfer
fee
Source
FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg Tony Krslovic 19 St George-Budapest Flag of Australia (converted).svg LoanMid-season Free [20]
FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg Sean Ingham23 Wollongong City Flag of Australia (converted).svg TransferMid-season Free [21] [22]

Overview

CompetitionFirst matchLast matchStarting roundFinal positionRecord
PldWDLGFGAGDWin %
National Soccer League 22 January 198916 July 1989Matchday 17th2610882525+0038.46
NSL Cup 23 March 198923 March 1989First RoundFirst Round100112−1000.00
Total2710892627−1037.04

Last updated: complete
Source: Competitions

League table

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation
5 Preston Makedonia 2611873124+730Qualification for the Finals series
6 Adelaide City 2610882924+528
7 Sydney Croatia 2610882525028
8 South Melbourne 269894437+726
9 Wollongong City 2687112229723
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: rsssf.com
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.

Results summary

OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
2610882525 0386431412 +24451113 −2

Source:

Matches

Sunshine George Cross
22 January 19891 Sydney Croatia 1–0 Sunshine George Cross Edensor Park, New South Wales
  • Ingham Soccerball shade.svg80'
Report Stadium: Sydney Croatian Sports Centre
Attendance: 3,000
Referee: Richard Lorenc
26 January 19892 South Melbourne Hellas 0–1 Sydney Croatia Middle Park, Victoria
Report
Stadium: Middle Park Stadium
Attendance: 3,200
Referee: Chris Bambridge
29 January 19893 Sydney Croatia 2–0 Adelaide City Edensor Park, New South Wales
Report Stadium: Sydney Croatian Sports Centre
Attendance: 5,374
Referee: Bill Monteverde
5 February 19894 Wollongong City 1–0 Sydney Croatia Fairy Meadow, New South Wales
  • Easthorpe Soccerball shade.svg13'
Report Stadium: Brandon Park
Attendance: 4,756
Referee: Peter Spiers
12 February 19895 Sydney Croatia 0–0 Sydney Olympic Edensor Park, New South Wales
Report Stadium: Sydney Croatian Sports Centre
Attendance: 8,009
Referee: Chris Bambridge
19 February 19896 Melbourne Croatia 0–0 Sydney Croatia Sunshine North, Victoria
Report Stadium: Somers St Stadium
Attendance: 8,000
Referee: John Santa Isabel
26 February 19897 Sydney Croatia 2–1 Melbourne City JUST Edensor Park, New South Wales
Report
Stadium: Sydney Croatian Sports Centre
Attendance: 5,923
Referee: Jim Reeves
5 March 19898 Heidelberg United 2–0 Sydney Croatia Heidelberg West, Victoria
Report Stadium: Olympic Village
Attendance: 3,000
Referee: Dennis Voutsinas
3 May 19899 Sydney Croatia 1–2 APIA Leichhardt Edensor Park, New South Wales
Report
Stadium: Sydney Croatian Sports Centre
Attendance: 2,200
Referee: Alan Townsend
28 June 198910 Blacktown City 0–2 Sydney Croatia Seven Hills, New South Wales
Report
Stadium: Gabbie Stadium
Attendance: 875
Referee: Peter Spiers
26 March 199011 Sydney Croatia 1–1 St George-Budapest Edensor Park, New South Wales
Report
Stadium: Sydney Croatian Sports Centre
Attendance: 3,451
Referee: John McConnell
10 May 199012 Sydney Croatia 0–3 Marconi Fairfield Edensor Park, New South Wales
Report
  • Lowe Soccerball shade.svg29'
  • Gray Soccerball shade.svg34', 50'
Stadium: Sydney Croatian Sports Centre
Attendance: 3,259
Referee: Jim Reeves
9 April 198913 Preston Makedonia 0–0 Sydney Croatia Melbourne, Victoria
Report Stadium: Olympic Park
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Jim Fearn
22 April 198914 Sydney Croatia 2–1 South Melbourne Edensor Park, New South Wales
Report Stadium: Sydney Croatian Sports Centre
Attendance: 1,753
Referee: Bill Monteverde
30 April 198915 Sydney Olympic 1–0 Sydney Croatia Moore Park, New South Wales
Report Stadium: Sydney Football Stadium
Attendance: 3,460
Referee: Rob Davies
7 May 198916 Sydney Croatia 1–0 Wollongong City Edensor Park, New South Wales
Report Stadium: Sydney Croatian Sports Centre
Attendance: 3,431
Referee: Jim Feirn
14 May 198917 Adelaide City 0–0 Sydney Croatia Kensington, South Australia
Report Stadium: Olympic Sports Field
Attendance: 5,100
Referee: Jim Rossis
20 May 198918 Sydney Croatia 1–1 Melbourne Croatia Edensor Park, New South Wales
  • Petkovic Soccerball shade.svg74'
Report Stadium: Sydney Croatian Sports Centre
Attendance: 2,743
Referee: Richard Lorenc
27 May 198919 Melbourne City JUST 1–3 Sydney Croatia Footscray, Victoria
Report
Stadium: Schintler Reserve
Attendance: 1,200
Referee: Don Campbell
5 July 198920 Sydney Croatia 1–2 Heidelberg United Edensor Park, New South Wales
  • Kanesoulis Soccerball shade.svg37'
  • Gojevic Soccerball shade.svg55'
Stadium: Sydney Croatian Sports Centre
Attendance: 1,508
Referee: Bill Monteverde
June 11 198921 APIA Leichhardt 1–3 Sydney Croatia Leichhardt, New South Wales
Report
Lamond Soccerball shade.svg82'
Stadium: Lambert Park
Attendance: 1,494
Referee: Richard Lorenc
18 June 198922 Sydney Croatia 0–0 Blacktown City Edensor Park, New South Wales
Report Stadium: Sydney Croatian Sports Centre
Attendance: 3,709
Referee: Chris Bambridge
25 June 198923 St George-Budapest FC 3–0 Sydney Croatia Edensor Park, New South Wales
Report Stadium: Sydney Croatian Sports Centre
Attendance: 4,644
Referee: Jim Reeves
2 July 198924 Marconi Fairfield 1–1 Sydney Croatia Bossley Park, New South Wales
  • Colagiuri Soccerball shade.svg73'
Report
Stadium: Marconi Stadium
Attendance: 8,350
Referee: Jim Reeves
9 July 198925 Sydney Croatia 2–1 Preston Makedonia Edensor Park, New South Wales
Report
  • Jolevski Soccerball shade.svg45'
Stadium: Sydney Croatian Sports Centre
Attendance: 3,408
Referee: Gary Power
16 July 198926 Sunshine George Cross 3–1 Sydney Croatia Sunshine, Victoria
Report
Stadium: Chaplin Reserve
Attendance: 1,743
Referee: Dennis Voutsinas

NSL Cup

23 March 1989 First round Sydney Croatia 1–2 APIA Leichhardt Edensor Park, New South Wales
  • Rezo Soccerball shade.svg?'
Report
Stadium: Sydney Croatian Sports Centre
Attendance: 1,705
Referee: Alan Townsend

Statistics

Appearances and goals

Players with no appearances not included in the list. [23] [24]

No.Pos.Nat.Name National Soccer League NSL Cup Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg Graham Arnold 26510275
DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg Shane Clinch25010260
MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg Craig Foster 19110201
GK Flag of Australia (converted).svg Tony Franken 9010100
DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg Alan Hunter 24410254
FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg Sean Ingham12100121
DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg Graham Jennings 13010140
DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg Mark Jones 23200232
GK Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Krajnović17000170
FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg Tony Krslovic 200020
FW Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg Manis Lamond 21400214
DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg Blago Milićević200020
MF Flag of Croatia.svg Ivan Petković15110161
MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg David Rezo18011191
MF Flag of Croatia.svg Vedran Rožić 20000200
DF Flag of Croatia.svg Ante Rumora 14010150
MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg Wally Savor 26100261
FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg David Seal 530053
MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robbie Slater 23310243
MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg Tony Telisman001010
MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg Burim Zajmi201030
MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ned Zelic 9010100

References

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  2. Nimac, Ivan; Dusevic, Sime; Lozina, Leonard; Nimac, Tony (2008). More Than The Game: 50 Years of Sydney United (First Edition 2008 ed.). Sydney, NSW, Australia: Sydney United. p. 166. ISBN   978-0-646-50046-1.
  3. "John Krajnovic (Part 1) - Football United vs Soccer City". football-united-vs-socc.captivate.fm. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
  4. Soccer Weekly, Australian. "Chit Chat...Chit Chat...Chit Chat...". Australian Soccer Weekly. No. 399. Foreign Language Publications Pty. Ltd.
  5. "Ned Zelić". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
  6. "Greg Woodhouse". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  7. Gilmour, Keith (February 1989). "Henderson, De Bruin make big signings". Australian Soccer Weekly. Vol. 10, no. 364. Foreign Language Publications Pty Ltd.
  8. Gilmour, Keith (February 1989). "Henderson, De Bruin make big signings". Australian Soccer Weekly. Vol. 10, no. 364. Foreign Language Publications Pty Ltd.
  9. "Aussie Footballers - Field to Foschini". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  10. Gilmour, Keith (February 1989). "Henderson, De Bruin make big signings". Australian Soccer Weekly. Vol. 10, no. 364. Foreign Language Publications Pty Ltd.
  11. Vesic, Alex (March 1989). "Two sent off!". Australian Soccer Weekly. Vol. 10, no. 368. Foreign Language Publicatons Pty Ltd.
  12. "Aussie Footballers - Chilvers to Coady". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  13. "Aussie Footballers - Kennedy to Kim". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  14. "Aussie Footballers - Botham to Brandan". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  15. Soccer, Aussie (June 1989). Who Moved Where, When...And The Cost! (2 ed.). Sunshine, Victoria: Aussie Soccer Magazine. p. 8.
  16. Gautier, Paul. "Croatia back in strength". Australian Soccer Weekly. Vol. 10, no. January 18th 1989. Foreign Language Publications.
  17. "Aussie Footballers - Zacharopoulos to Zwangobani". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  18. Soccer, Aussie (May 1989). "Solid as A-ROK". Aussie Soccer. No. 1. Anthony Cerantonio.
  19. Soccer, Aussie (June 1989). Who Moved Where, When...And The Cost! (2 ed.). Sunshine, Victoria: Aussie Soccer Magazine. p. 8.
  20. Desira, Peter (May 1989). "Solid as A-ROK". Aussie Soccer. No. 1. Anthony Cerantonio.
  21. "Aussie Footballers - Iandorio to Istuk". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  22. "Sean Ingham". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
  23. "The 1989 Season". ozfootball.net.
  24. "1989 National League Cup Results". ozfootball.net. Retrieved 2 August 2025.