2001–02 Sydney United FC season

Sydney United 58 FC

2001–02 season
Chairman	Marko Franović
Manager	Branko Culina
Stadium	Sydney United Sports Centre
National Soccer League	11th (League)
Top goalscorer	Commins Menapi (8), Ante Milicic (8)
Highest home attendance	5,177 vs. Marconi Stallions (28 October 2001) National Soccer League
Lowest home attendance	1,580 vs. Newcastle United (30 March 2002) National Soccer League
Average home league attendance	3,774
Biggest win	3–0 vs. Football Kingz (20 October 2001) National Soccer League
Biggest defeat	1–4 vs. Olympic Sharks (19 November 2001) National Soccer League
←  2000–01 2002–03  →

The 2001-02 season marked Sydney United's nineteenth campaign in the NSL, but it proved to be a challenging year. The team finished 11th on the table, managing only six wins throughout the season.

Branko Culina returned to United as manager, having previously guided the club to a premiership and Grand Final appearance in the 1996-97 season. His return also saw the arrival of familiar faces, with former players Ante Milicic and Krešimir Marušić re-joining the squad. However, despite these additions, United struggled to find form and once again missed out on the finals.

The team's difficulties were compounded by mid-season departures, as Milicic, Marušić, Zlatko Arambasic, and Marcus Stergiopoulos all exited the club. In Milicic's case, Sydney United secured a $110,000 transfer fee from Olympic Sharks, providing much-needed financial relief.

Despite the team's struggles, Commins Menapi and Ante Milicic both finished as Sydney United's top goalscorers, netting eight goals each across the season. ^[1]

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. Nation Player 1 GK   AUS Brett Hughes 2 DF   AUS Michael Santalab 3 MF   AUS Vince Savoca 4 DF   AUS Elvis Olic 5 MF   AUS Nahuel Arrarte 6 DF   AUS Michael Cunico 8 MF   AUS Ante Moric 9 MF   AUS Gabriel Mendez 11 MF   CRO Željko Kopić 12 FW   AUS Brendon Santalab 13 MF   AUS Ante Deur 14 MF   AUS Goran Talevski 15 MF   AUS Aytek Genc 16 FW   SOL Commins Menapi 17 MF   AUS Paul Bilokapic (Captain) 18 FW   AUS Daniel Watkins

No. Pos. Nation Player 20 GK   AUS John Perosh 21 MF   AUS Mile Jedinak 22 MF   AUS Milan Bosnar 23 DF   AUS Michael Cindrić 24 DF   AUS Sebastian Sinozić 25 MF   AUS Jon Angelucci 26 MF   AUS Ivan Zelic 27 GK   AUS Vilson Knežević 29 MF   AUS Christian Cevinini 30 GK   AUS John Karoubas 37 MF   CRO Aljoša Asanović — FW   AUS Zlatko Arambasic — FW   AUS Ante Milicic (Captain) — MF   CRO Krešimir Marušić — MF   AUS Marcus Stergiopoulos

Transfers in

No.	Pos.	Nat.	Name	Age	Moving from	Type	Transfer window	Ends	Transfer fee	Source
10	FW		Ante Milicic	27	NK Rijeka	Transfer	Pre-season		Free	[2]
11	MF		Željko Kopić	24	NK Marsonia	Transfer	Pre-season		Free	[3] >
27	GK		Vilson Knežević	25	Germinal Beerschot	Transfer	Pre-season		Free	[4]
7	MF		Krešimir Marušić	31	Northern Spirit	Transfer	Pre-season		Free	[2]
20	GK		John Perosh	27	Northern Spirit	Transfer	Pre-season		Free	[5]
18	FW		Daniel Watkins	21	Northern Spirit	Transfer	Pre-season		Free	[6]
6	DF		Michael Cunico	22	Northern Spirit	Transfer	Pre-season		Free	[2]
2	DF		Michael Santalab	22	Parramatta Power	Transfer	Pre-season		Free	[2]
12	FW		Brendon Santalab	19	Parramatta Power	Transfer	Pre-season		Free	[2]
8	FW		Ante Moric	27	Olympic Sharks	Transfer	Pre-season		Free	[2]
24	FW		Marcus Stergiopoulos	28	Eastern Pride	Transfer	Pre-season		Free	[7]
26	MF		Ivan Zelic	23	Melbourne Knights	Transfer	Pre-season		Free	[8]
25	DF		Jon Angelucci	26	Canberra Cosmos	Transfer	Pre-season		Free	[9]

Transfers out

No.	Pos.	Nat.	Name	Age	Moving to	Type	Transfer window	Transfer fee	Source
4	DF		Velimir Kuprešak	37	Retirement		Pre-season	Free	[10]
5	MF		Richard Plesa	25	FC Aarhus	Transfer	Pre-season	Free	[2]
10	MF		Tom Pondeljak	25	Olympic Sharks	End of Contract	Pre-season	Free	[2]
17	FW		Francis Awaritefe	37	Rockdale City Suns	End of Contract	Pre-season	Free	[11]
3	DF		Danny Burt	28	Central Coast United	End of Contract	Pre-season	Free	[12]
7	DF		Shane Webb	21	Marconi Stallions	End of Contract	Pre-season	Free	[13]
12	DF		Tom Maric	24	Fairfield Bulls	End of Contract	Pre-season	Free	[14]
14	MF		Kain Rastall	23	Blacktown City FC	End of Contract	Pre-season	Free	[15]
19	MF		Terry Palapanis	30	Hurstville City Minotaurs	End of Contract	Pre-season	Free	[16]
21	FW		Akwasi Ageyi	20	Canterbury Marrickville FC	End of Contract	Pre-season	Free	[17]
28	DF		Allan Picken	20	APIA Leichhardt	End of Contract	Pre-season	Free	[18]
30	GK		Steve Tolios	26	Sydney Crescent Star	End of Contract	Pre-season	Free	[19]
	MF		Mark Silic	29	Retirement	End of Contract	Pre-season	Free	[20]

Mid-Season Gains

No.	Pos.	Nat.	Name	Age	Moving from	Type	Transfer window	Ends	Transfer fee	Source
37	MF		Aljoša Asanović	35	Free Agency	Guest Contract	Mid-season		Free	[21]
8	MF		Gabriel Mendez	28	Northern Spirit	Transfer	Mid-season		Free	[22]
24	DF		Sebastian Sinozić	23	Olympic Sharks	Transfer	Mid-season		Free	[23]

Mid-Season Losses

No.	Pos.	Nat.	Name	Age	Moving to	Type	Transfer window	Transfer fee	Source
9	FW		Zlatko Arambasic	32	Parramatta Power	Transfer	Mid-season		[24] [25]
10	FW		Ante Milicic	27	Olympic Sharks	Transfer	Mid-season	$110,000	[26] [27]
7	MF		Krešimir Marušić	32	Melbourne Knights	Transfer	Mid-season		[28] [29]
24	MF		Marcus Stergiopoulos	28	Northern Spirit	Transfer	Mid-season		[30]

Competitions

Overview

Competition	First match	Last match	Starting round	Final position	Record
					Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Win %
National Soccer League	15 October 2001	29 April 2002	Matchday 1	11th	27	6	9	12	46	56	−10	022.22
Total					27	6	9	12	46	56	−10	022.22

Last updated: complete
Source: Competitions

National Soccer League

League table

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
9	Marconi Fairfield	24	8	6	10	33	36	−3	30
10	Wollongong Wolves	24	6	7	11	28	43	−15	25
11	Sydney United	24	6	6	12	27	37	−10	24
12	Adelaide Force	24	4	8	12	27	39	−12	20
13	Football Kingz	24	3	5	16	28	58	−30	14

Source: rsssf.com
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored

Results summary

Overall								Home						Away
Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
24	6	6	12	27	37	−10	24	1	5	6	13	22	−9	5	1	6	14	15	−1

Source:

Matches

Olympic Sharks v Sydney United

6 October 20011	Olympic Sharks	1–0	Sydney United	Woolooware, New South Wales
	Macallister 66'	Report		Stadium: Toyota Park Attendance: 9,612 Referee: Shaun Micallef

Sydney United v Brisbane Strikers

14 October 20012	Sydney United	1–3	Brisbane Strikers	Edensor Park, New South Wales
	Menapi 44'	Report	Foster 48' Rech 54' Trajanovski 65'	Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre Attendance: 4,780 Referee: Gerry Connelly

South Melbourne v Sydney United

31 October 20013	South Melbourne	0–1	Sydney United	Albert Park, Victoria
		Report	Milicic 36'	Stadium: Bob Jane Stadium Attendance: 5,866 Referee: Con Diomis

Sydney United v Marconi Stallions

28 October 20014	Sydney United	1–1	Marconi Stallions	Edensor Park, New South Wales
	Milicic 1'	Report	Tome 68'	Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre Attendance: 5,177 Referee: Eddie Lennie

Perth Glory v Sydney United

3 November 20015	Perth Glory	2–1	Sydney United	Vincent, Western Australia
	Mori 26' Horsley 47'	Report	Milicic 90+1'	Stadium: Perth Oval Attendance: 12,975 Referee: Matthew Breeze

Sydney United v Football Kingz

9 November 20016	Sydney United	1–2	Football Kingz	Edensor Park, New South Wales
	Menapi 62'	Report	Ngata 50', 70'	Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre Attendance: 3,817 Referee: P.Mur

Wollongong Wolves v Sydney United

17 November 20017	Wollongong Wolves	1–0	Sydney United	Wollongong, New South Wales
	Huxley 65'	Report		Stadium: WIN Stadium Attendance: 3,291 Referee: Angelo Nardi

Sydney United v Melbourne Knights

2 December 20019	Sydney United	2–1	Melbourne Knights	Edensor Park, New South Wales
	Menapi 46 (pen)', 78'	Report	Da Costa 10'	Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre Attendance: 4,185 Referee: D.Rugg

Northern Spirit v Sydney United

7 December 200110	Northern Spirit	1–2	Sydney United	North Sydney, New South Wales
	Cardozo 53'	Report	Milicic 16' Menapi 90+2'	Stadium: North Sydney Oval Attendance: 4,605 Referee: Brett Hugo

Sydney United v Parramatta Power

16 December 200111	Sydney United	0–2	Parramatta Power	Edensor Park, New South Wales
		Report	Eagleton 4' Kwasnik 83'	Stadium: Sydney Croatian Sports Centre Attendance: 5,142 Referee: Peter Green

Newcastle United v Sydney United

21 December 200112	Newcastle United	2–0	Sydney United	Newcastle, New South Wales
	Griffiths 59' McBreen 86'	Report		Stadium: Energy Australia Stadium Attendance: 9,136 Referee: Shaun Micallef

Sydney United v Adelaide Force

6 January 200213	Sydney United	1–1	Adelaide Force	Edensor Park, New South Wales
	Milicic 51'	Report	Moreira 31'	Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre Attendance: 3,753 Referee: Eddie Lennie

Sydney United v Olympic Sharks

13 January 200214	Sydney United	1–4	Olympic Sharks	Edensor Park, New South Wales
	Kopić 83'	Report	North 2', 39' Pondeljak 61' Wilson 79'	Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre Attendance: 4,589 Referee: P.Mur

Brisbane Strikers v Sydney United

19 January 200215	Brisbane Strikers	1–2	Sydney United	Herston, Queensland
	Foster 80'	Report	Cevinini 45' Milicic 54'	Stadium: Ballymore Oval Attendance: 3,554 Referee: Peter Green

Sydney United v South Melbourne

27 January 200216	Sydney United	2–2	South Melbourne	Edensor Park, New South Wales
	Bilokapic 60' Deur 77'	Report	Boutsianis 66', 90'	Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre Attendance: 3,350 Referee: Brett Hugo

Marconi Stallions v Sydney United

2 February 200217	Marconi Stallions	2–2	Sydney United	Bossley Park, New South Wales
	Tome 31' Last 90'	Report	Deur 44' Menapi 76'	Stadium: Marconi Stadium Attendance: 4,362 Referee: Con Diomis

Sydney United v Perth Glory

10 February 200218	Sydney United	1–2	Perth Glory	Edensor Park, New South Wales
	Menapi 63'	Report	Mori 71' Mrdja 76'	Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre Attendance: 3,579 Referee: Matthew Breeze

Football Kingz v Sydney United

15 February 200219	Football Kingz	0–3	Sydney United	Auckland, New Zealand
		Report	Menapi 22' Deur 61' Mendez 88'	Stadium: Ericsson Stadium Attendance: 2,842 Referee: P.Mur

Sydney Uniteds v Wollongong Wolves

24 February 200220	Sydney Uniteds	1–2	Wollongong Wolves	Edensor Park, New South Wales
	Arrarte 43'	Report	Sharland 33' Young 71'	Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre Attendance: 3,062 Referee: Peter Green

Melbourne Knights v Sydney United

10 March 200222	Melbourne Knights	2–1	Sydney United	Sunshine North, Victoria
	Marušić 18' DeJesus 25'	Report	Menapi 9'	Stadium: Knights Stadium Attendance: 3,620 Referee: Craig Zetter

Sydney United v Northern Spirit

17 March 200223	Sydney United	1–1	Northern Spirit	Edensor Park, New South Wales
	Mendez 76'	Report	Cardozo 37'	Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre Attendance: 2,280 Referee: Mark Shield

Parramatta Power v Sydney United

23 March 200224	Parramatta Power	2–0	Sydney United	Parramatta, New South Wales
	Brown 19' Holman 40'	Report		Stadium: Parramatta Stadium Attendance: 2,991 Referee: Eddie Lennie

Sydney United v Newcastle United

30 March 200225	Sydney United	1–1	Newcastle United	Edensor Park, New South Wales
	Menapi 74'	Report	Moreira 91 (pen)'	Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre Attendance: 1,580 Referee: Matthew Breeze

Adelaide Force v Sydney United

7 April 2002Round 26	Adelaide Force	1–2	Sydney United	Hindmarsh, South Australia
	Vidmar 20'	Report	B.Santalab 14' Jedinak 66'	Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium Attendance: 3,500 Referee: Craig Zetter

Statistics

Appearances and goals

Players with no appearances not included in the list. ^{[31] [32]}

No.	Pos.	Nat.	Name	National Soccer League		Total
				Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
1	GK		Brett Hughes	1	0	1	0
2	DF		Michael Santalab	10	0	10	0
3	MF		Vince Savoca	14	0	14	0
4	DF		Elvis Olic	5	0	5	0
5	MF		Nahuel Arrarte	17	1	17	1
6	DF		Michael Cunico	20	0	20	0
7	DF		Raymond Younis	8	0	8	0
8	MF		Ante Moric	7	0	7	0
9	MF		Gabriel Mendez	11	2	11	2
11	MF		Željko Kopić	11	1	11	1
12	FW		Brendon Santalab	11	1	11	1
13	MF		Ante Deur	23	3	23	3
14	MF		Goran Talevski	17	0	17	0
15	MF		Aytek Genc	10	0	10	0
16	FW		Commins Menapi	20	8	20	8
17	MF		Paul Bilokapic	22	1	22	1
18	DF		Daniel Watkins	10	0	10	0
20	GK		John Perosh	4	0	4	0
21	MF		Mile Jedinak	7	1	7	1
22	MF		Milan Bosnar	4	0	4	0
23	DF		Michael Cindrić	4	0	4	0
24	MF		Sebastian Sinozić	13	0	13	0
25	DF		Jon Angelucci	6	0	6	0
27	GK		Vilson Knežević	17	0	17	0
29	MF		Christian Cevenini	10	1	10	1
30	GK		John Karoubas	2	0	2	0
37	MF		Aljoša Asanović	2	0	2	0
Players who left during the season
–	FW		Zlatko Arambasic	3	0	3	0
–	FW		Ante Milicic	14	8	14	8
–	MF		Krešimir Marušić	13	0	13	0
–	MF		Marcus Stergiopoulos	9	0	9	0

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. 227. ISBN   978-0-646-50046-1.
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27. "Aussie Footballers - Milardovic to Mirkovic". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
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