Mark Daniel Milligan (born 4 August 1985) is an Australian former professional footballer. Starting his career as a defender, Milligan has spent much of his later career playing as a midfielder.[3] He is currently a football expert commentary and analysis at 10 Sport.[4] He is currently an assistant coach for A-League Men club Adelaide United.
Mark started his grassroots football career at his local club, Birrong Sports Football club in the Bankstown District in 1991 and 1992, and he quickly moved onto representative football as a junior footballer.
Early career
FourFourTwo magazine revealed on 28 July 2007 that after the Asian Cup Milligan had gone without Sydney FC's permission to trial for teams in Europe.[5] Milligan was linked with French sides FC Metz and RC Lens. The following day Milligan reportedly walked out on Metz just before a scheduled trial game appearance against Standard Liège, allegedly out of frustration at the right-back position he would be trialled in.[6] The following day it was reported that Milligan would return home to play for Sydney FC after all.[7][8]
On 19 May, Milligan scored his first goal for Shanghai Shenhua in their 1–1 draw in the AFC Champions League group stage match against Kashima Antlers.
Milligan finalised his switch from Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua to Japanese side JEF United Chiba, who were relegated to the second division.[10]
When the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami struck Japan, Milligan decided to flee the country, fearing for the safety of not only himself, but his wife and child.[11] With the J2 League suspended until further notice, JEF United Chiba gave permission for Milligan to train in a bid to keep his fitness up with his former A-League club Sydney FC.[12]
On 23 January 2012 it was reported that Melbourne Victory was to secure Milligan on loan until the end of the regular season.[13] It was confirmed on 24 January that Milligan signed for a loan deal to Melbourne Victory until the end of the 2011–12 A-League season, becoming the first Sydney FC player to switch to Melbourne Victory.[14] He returned to Japan in March.[15] In July 2012, Milligan was released from JEF United Chiba and returned to Melbourne Victory by signing a three-year contract.[16]
Milligan starred for Melbourne Victory during their 2012–13 season, moving from centre-back to play as a defensive midfielder, and quickly established himself as one of the best players in the league. Although he has never been a prolific goal scorer, Milligan scored 8 goals in this season, a number of them being clutch goals in important games, including a penalty equaliser in an elimination final against Perth Glory that Melbourne Victory went on to win in extra time. To cap off his season, Milligan won the Victory Medal, awarded to the club's player of the season.
On 17 September 2013, Milligan was rewarded for his performances by being appointed the captain of Melbourne Victory, replacing Adrian Leijer. He was also rumoured to be leaving Melbourne Victory to join fellow national team midfielder Mile Jedinak at newly promoted Premier League club Crystal Palace, however Melbourne Victory rejected a rumoured £2m offer for the defensive midfielder.[17][18]
Milligan, after a trial at Crystal Palace, stayed on at Melbourne Victory as captain in the 2013–14 season.[19] He sustained an injury halfway through the season,[20] and the team suffered for this and other reasons such as losing their coach, an injury to Adrian Leijer (ex-captain and central defender) and four players (including three defenders) going to the Under 21 World championships (Jason Geria, Connor Pain, Scott Galloway and Nick Ansell). However, Victory improved after this period to finish fourth in the A-League. Milligan played every minute of all but one ACL match, only missing the final away match of the ACL Asian Champions League match through suspension.
At the end of the 2014–15 season it was announced that UAE Pro-League side Baniyas SC had triggered the release clause of Milligan's contract with a $1 million transfer fee, and he signed with them on a two-year contract.[21]
Return to the Victory
On 31 July 2017, it was announced Miligan would return to the Victory on a one-year deal as a marquee player.[22]
Al Ahli
On 28 January 2018, Melbourne Victory sold Mark Milligan to Al-Ahli for $1 million.[23] He was assigned the number 5 shirt. On 4 February, he made his debut for Al-Ahli in a league game against Al Ittihad FC. He played at centre-half, with the game finishing 0-0. He got good response from the fans, playing the full 90 minutes in the Jeddah derby.
Hibernian
On 18 August 2018, Milligan signed a two-year contract with Scottish Premiership club Hibernian.[24] Milligan played regularly for Hibernian during the 2018–19 season, after which he left the club.[25] Hibernian head coach Paul Heckingbottom said that he had opted to exercise a break clause in Milligan's contract as he wanted to "recruit something different to play in that position".[26]
Southend United
On 1 July 2019, Milligan signed for Southend United.[27] Milligan was released by Southend United on 19 June 2020, after the team's relegation from League One.[28]
Macarthur FC
On 30 July 2020, following his release from Southend, Milligan returned home to Australia to join newly formed A-League club Macarthur FC, signing a two-year deal.[29] On 22 October, he was named the club's captain for their inaugural campaign in the A-League.[30] In the club's first match, a local derby against Western Sydney Wanderers on 30 December, Milligan scored the club's first goal which secured a first-ever win.[31]
On 2 June 2021, Milligan announced that he would be retiring from football at the end of the 2020–21 season and would join the coaching staff at Macarthur.[32][33]
He made his senior international debut against Liechtenstein on 7 June 2006, coming off the bench in the 85th minute of Australia's last warm-up game before the World Cup. He did not play in any of Australia's four World Cup games in Germany. His first start came against Kuwait in an Asian Cup qualifier on 16 August 2006. His next appearance was on 7 October 2006 in a friendly against Paraguay as a late substitute.
In February 2007, Milligan was named as captain of the Australian U-23 side, the 'Olyroos', for two Olympic qualifying games against Chinese Taipei. He sustained a broken nose in an 'off-the-ball' incident during the second qualifier. He led the Olyroos to Olympic qualification and was the key influential figure in their final games against Iraq and North Korea, scoring in each game and taking the man of the match award in both.
Milligan was selected in the Australian squad for the 2007 Asian Cup. During the tournament, Milligan was selected to play in the starting line-up for Australia against co-host nation Thailand in the final game of the group matches. Australia won 4–0 and advanced to the quarter finals of the competition with Milligan putting in what was widely regarded as a Man of the Match performance in the centre of a three-man defence. On 21 July 2007, in the quarter-final against Japan, Milligan was unfortunate in failing to clear a ball from the penalty area that saw striker Naohiro Takahara pounce and score an equaliser. The game ended 1–1 and Australia was eliminated from the Cup on penalties.
Milligan scored his first international goal for the Socceroos against Indonesia in a 2011 Asian Cup Qualifiers played at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. This being the only goal in the match with Australia winning 1–0 and then qualifying for the 2011 competition.
He was named in the 31 man squad named by Pim Verbeek for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. His 2010 FIFA World Cup profile described him as "[a] mobile defender with good ball skills and an ability to play a raking pass."[34]
Milligan was selected for the 30-man preliminary 2014 FIFA World Cup squad, alongside seven other A-League players.[35] Three from Melbourne Victory (Milligan, James Troisi & Tom Rogic) were among the final selection.[36] He played alongside James Troisi and captain Mile Jedinak in a three-man midfield in the Socceroos warm-up match vs Croatia.[37] He played only one game in the 2014 World Cup, a 3–1 defeat against Chile in their opening match.
In 2015, he was a key member of Australia who won the 2015 AFC Asian Cup. He didn't play in the opening game. After this game, he played in all the next 5 matches, including the final against South Korea. In the second game, he scored the goal against Oman national football team. Australia won the match by 4-0. After the Asian Cup success, he played 7 games out of 8 in second round of 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualification. He scored his fourth and fifth international goals against Tajikistan.
Milligan captained Australia at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, and scored from the penalty spot in the 60th minute in a 1-1 draw against Cameroon.
In the third round of qualification, he played 8 games out of 10. Australia finished third in the table and failed to qualify directly to the World Cup. He played on the winning side in the two-leg tie Asian play-off against Syria. The match ended 3-2 on aggregate after extra time. He also played in the second leg game of 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF–AFC play-off) against Honduras. This was the match which decided the last spot of 2018 FIFA World Cup. The match ended in favour of Australia by 3-1. With that, Australia qualified in the World Cup finals for the fourth time in a row. In May 2018 he was named in Australia's 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.[38] Milligan played in central defence during the tournament, alongside Trent Sainsbury.
Milligan captained Australia at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, in which they were knocked out at the quarter-final stage.[39]
He retired from international football in December 2019.[40]
Brett Michael Emerton is an Australian former professional footballer who played for Sydney Olympic, Sydney FC, Feyenoord Rotterdam, Blackburn Rovers and the Australia national team. Able to play as a wide midfielder or defender, Emerton was known for his "speed, ball control and creativity."
Lucas Edward Neill is an Australian former soccer player. Neill played as a defender, often playing as a centre back as well as a full-back. Neill spent almost 15 years of his career playing in England. He represented Australia at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, and also the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar. On 6 October 2006 he was named the 50th captain of the Australian national team, and by the time of his retirement, had amassed a record 61 caps as captain. He played for Millwall, Blackburn Rovers, West Ham United, Everton, Galatasaray, Al Jazira, Al Wasl, Sydney FC, Omiya Ardija, Watford and Doncaster Rovers.
Tony Popovic is an Australian association football manager and former player. He is currently head coach of the Australia national football team.
Alexander William Wilkinson is a retired Australian professional soccer player who is currently the Head of Football Operations at Sydney FC.
Ante Milicic ( AN-tay MIL-ə-chitch; Croatian: Ante Miličić ; is an Australian soccer manager and former professional player who currently is the head coach of the China women's national football team.
Mark Robert Bridge is a retired Australian professional football (soccer) player.
Thomas Michael Oar is a retired Australian professional footballer who played as a midfielder.
Rhyan Bert Grant is an Australian professional soccer player who plays for A-League Men club Sydney FC and the Australia national team.
Mathew Allan Leckie is an Australian soccer player who plays for A-League club Melbourne City and the Australian national team. Leckie, being a quick and agile player, is usually placed on the wing. However, he has previously been deployed as a midfielder, striker/second striker and even as a wing-back.
Nathan Luke Brattan is an Australian professional football player who plays as a defensive midfielder for Macarthur FC and the Australia national team.
The 2010–11 season was the 42nd season of national competitive association football in Australia and 128th overall.
Lefteris "Terry" Antonis is an Australian soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Uthai Thani.
Craig Alexander Goodwin is an Australian professional soccer player as a left winger for Saudi Pro League club Al-Wehda and the Australian national team. Known for his agility, crossing and shot placement, he is Adelaide United's all-time leading goalscorer, and considered one of Adelaide United's greatest players.
Tomi Juric is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a striker for Slovenian club Koper.
Daniel Arzani is a professional soccer player who plays as a winger for A-League Men club Melbourne Victory. Born in Iran, he represents the Australia national team.
Denis Genreau is a professional soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder for Ligue 1 club Toulouse and the Australia national team. Born in France, Genreau has represented Australia internationally since 2017.
Macarthur Football Club is an Australian professional soccer club based in South Western Sydney, New South Wales. It competes in Australia's premier soccer competition, the A-League, under licence from Australian Professional Leagues (APL). On 13 December 2018, it was announced that the club would be accepted into the A-League as part of the new expansion process.
The 2020–21 A-League was the 44th season of national level soccer in Australia, and the 16th since the establishment of the A-League in 2004. The season was started on 28 December 2020 and concluded with the Grand Final on 27 June 2021. The start of the season was later than previous seasons as a result of both the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia and New Zealand, and as part of a gradual shift to move the competition from summer to winter. Wellington Phoenix played the majority of their home matches at Wollongong Showground in Wollongong due to international travel restrictions.
The 2020–21 season was the 52nd season of national competitive association football in Australia and 138th overall.
Adrian Segecic is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a attacking midfielder for Australian A-League Men club Sydney FC. Segecic spent most of his youth years with Lidcombe Waratah and Parramatta FC before joining Sydney FC in October 2016. He has represented Australia at youth level since 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
