1989 Sydney Croatia FC season
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Sydney Croatia 1989 football season
| 1989 season | |
|---|---|
| Chairman | Rade 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 attendance | 8,009 vs. Marconi Fairfield (12 February 1989) National Soccer League |
| Lowest home attendance | 1,508 vs. Heidelberg United (5 July 1989) National Soccer League |
| Average home league attendance | 3,674 |
| Biggest win | 2-0 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 defeat | 0–3 vs. Marconi Fairfield (10 May 1989) National Soccer League 0-3 vs. St George-Budapest (25 June 1989) National Soccer League |
The 1989 season saw Sydney Croatia embark on its sixth campaign in the NSL. They finished 7th on the ladder.
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.
Transfers in
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. |
Nat. |
Name |
Age |
Moving from |
Type |
Transfer window |
Ends |
Transfer fee |
Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK |  |
John Krajnović | 23 | Wollongong Macedonia |
Transfer | Pre-season | Free | [1][2][3] | ||
| MF | |
Ned Zelic | 17 | AIS |
Transfer | Pre-season | Free | [4][5] |
Transfers out
| No. |
Pos. |
Nat. |
Name |
Age |
Moving to |
Type |
Transfer window |
Transfer fee |
Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | |
Greg Woodhouse | 28 | Avala |
End of Contract | Pre-season | Free | [6][7] | |
| DF |  |
Andy Brockbank | 27 | Avala |
End of Contract | Pre-season | Free | [8] | |
| MF | |
David Fitzharris | 24 | Avala |
End of Contract | Pre-season | Free | [9][10] | |
| MF |  |
Gustavo Cerro | 19 | Melita Eagles |
End of Contract | Pre-season | Free | [11] | |
| MF | |
Adrian Cisato | 19 | Free agent | End of Contract | Pre-season | Free | [12] | |
| FW | |
John Kero | 24 | Free agent | End of Contract | Pre-season | Free | [13] | |
| MF | |
Dragan Božić | Free agent | End of Contract | Pre-season | Free | [14] |
Mid-Season Gains
| No. |
Pos. |
Nat. |
Name |
Age |
Moving from |
Type |
Transfer window |
Ends |
Transfer fee |
Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MF |  |
Ante Rumora | 28 | Dinamo Zagreb |
Transfer | Mid-season | Free | [15][16] | ||
| MF |  |
Burim Zajmi | 28 | APIA Leichhardt |
Transfer | Mid-season | Free | [17][18][19] |
Mid-Season Losses
| No. |
Pos. |
Nat. |
Name |
Age |
Moving to |
Type |
Transfer window |
Transfer fee |
Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FW | |
Tony Krslovic | 19 | St George-Budapest |
Loan | Mid-season | Free | [20] | |
| FW | |
Sean Ingham | 23 | Wollongong City |
Transfer | Mid-season | Free | [21][22] | |
| GK | |
Mark Bosnich | 17 | Manchester United |
Transfer | Mid-season | Free | [23][24] |
Overview
| Competition | First match | Last match | Starting round | Final position | Record | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % | |||||
| National Soccer League | 22 January 1989 | 16 July 1989 | Matchday 1 | 7th | 26 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 25 | 25 | +0 | 038.46 |
| NSL Cup | 23 March 1989 | 23 March 1989 | First Round | First Round | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 000.00 |
| Total | 27 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 26 | 27 | −1 | 037.04 | ||||
Last updated: complete
Source: Competitions
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Preston Makedonia | 26 | 11 | 8 | 7 | 31 | 24 | +7 | 30 | Qualification for the Finals series |
| 6 | Adelaide City | 26 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 29 | 24 | +5 | 28 | |
| 7 | Sydney Croatia | 26 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 25 | 25 | 0 | 28 | |
| 8 | South Melbourne | 26 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 44 | 37 | +7 | 26 | |
| 9 | Wollongong City | 26 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 22 | 29 | −7 | 23 |
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: rsssf.com
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of 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 |
| 26 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 25 | 25 | 0 | 38 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 14 | 12 | +2 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 11 | 13 | −2 |
Matches
Sydney Croatia v Sunshine George Cross
| 22 January 1989 1 | Sydney Croatia | 1–0 | Sunshine George Cross | Edensor Park, New South Wales |
|
Report | Stadium: Sydney Croatian Sports Centre Attendance: 3,000 Referee: Richard Lorenc |
South Melbourne Hellas v Sydney Croatia
| 26 January 1989 2 | South Melbourne Hellas | 0–1 | Sydney Croatia | Middle Park, Victoria |
| Report |
|
Stadium: Middle Park Stadium Attendance: 3,200 Referee: Chris Bambridge |
Sydney Croatia v Adelaide City
| 29 January 1989 3 | Sydney Croatia | 2–0 | Adelaide City | Edensor Park, New South Wales |
| Report | Stadium: Sydney Croatian Sports Centre Attendance: 5,374 Referee: Bill Monteverde |
Wollongong City v Sydney Croatia
| 5 February 1989 4 | Wollongong City | 1–0 | Sydney Croatia | Fairy Meadow, New South Wales |
|
Report | Stadium: Brandon Park Attendance: 4,756 Referee: Peter Spiers |
Sydney Croatia v Sydney Olympic
| 12 February 1989 5 | Sydney Croatia | 0–0 | Sydney Olympic | Edensor Park, New South Wales |
| Report | Stadium: Sydney Croatian Sports Centre Attendance: 8,009 Referee: Chris Bambridge |
Melbourne Croatia v Sydney Croatia
| 19 February 1989 6 | Melbourne Croatia | 0–0 | Sydney Croatia | Sunshine North, Victoria |
| Report | Stadium: Somers St Stadium Attendance: 8,000 Referee: John Santa Isabel |
Sydney Croatia v Melbourne City JUST
| 26 February 1989 7 | Sydney Croatia | 2–1 | Melbourne City JUST | Edensor Park, New South Wales |
| Report |
|
Stadium: Sydney Croatian Sports Centre Attendance: 5,923 Referee: Jim Reeves |
Heidelberg United v Sydney Croatia
| 5 March 1989 8 | Heidelberg United | 2–0 | Sydney Croatia | Heidelberg West, Victoria |
|
Report | Stadium: Olympic Village Attendance: 3,000 Referee: Dennis Voutsinas |
Sydney Croatia v APIA Leichhardt
| 3 May 1989 9 | Sydney Croatia | 1–2 | APIA Leichhardt | Edensor Park, New South Wales |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Sydney Croatian Sports Centre Attendance: 2,200 Referee: Alan Townsend |
Blacktown City v Sydney Croatia
| 28 June 1989 10 | Blacktown City | 0–2 | Sydney Croatia | Seven Hills, New South Wales |
| Report |
|
Stadium: Gabbie Stadium Attendance: 875 Referee: Peter Spiers |
Sydney Croatia v St George-Budapest
| 26 March 1990 11 | Sydney Croatia | 1–1 | St George-Budapest | Edensor Park, New South Wales |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Sydney Croatian Sports Centre Attendance: 3,451 Referee: John McConnell |
Sydney Croatia v Marconi Fairfield
| 10 May 1990 12 | Sydney Croatia | 0–3 | Marconi Fairfield | Edensor Park, New South Wales |
| Report |
|
Stadium: Sydney Croatian Sports Centre Attendance: 3,259 Referee: Jim Reeves |
Preston Makedonia v Sydney Croatia
| 9 April 1989 13 | Preston Makedonia | 0–0 | Sydney Croatia | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Report | Stadium: Olympic Park Attendance: 5,000 Referee: Jim Fearn |
Sydney Croatia v South Melbourne
| 22 April 1989 14 | Sydney Croatia | 2–1 | South Melbourne | Edensor Park, New South Wales |
| Report |
|
Stadium: Sydney Croatian Sports Centre Attendance: 1,753 Referee: Bill Monteverde |
Sydney Olympic v Sydney Croatia
| 30 April 1989 15 | Sydney Olympic | 1–0 | Sydney Croatia | Moore Park, New South Wales |
|
Report | Stadium: Sydney Football Stadium Attendance: 3,460 Referee: Rob Davies |
Sydney Croatia v Wollongong City
| 7 May 1989 16 | Sydney Croatia | 1–0 | Wollongong City | Edensor Park, New South Wales |
|
Report | Stadium: Sydney Croatian Sports Centre Attendance: 3,431 Referee: Jim Feirn |
Adelaide City v Sydney Croatia
| 14 May 1989 17 | Adelaide City | 0–0 | Sydney Croatia | Kensington, South Australia |
| Report | Stadium: Olympic Sports Field Attendance: 5,100 Referee: Jim Rossis |
Sydney Croatia v Melbourne Croatia
| 20 May 1989 18 | Sydney Croatia | 1–1 | Melbourne Croatia | Edensor Park, New South Wales |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Sydney Croatian Sports Centre Attendance: 2,743 Referee: Richard Lorenc |
Melbourne City JUST v Sydney Croatia
| 27 May 1989 19 | Melbourne City JUST | 1–3 | Sydney Croatia | Footscray, Victoria |
|
Report | Stadium: Schintler Reserve Attendance: 1,200 Referee: Don Campbell |
Sydney Croatia v Heidelberg United
| 5 July 1989 20 | Sydney Croatia | 1–2 | Heidelberg United | Edensor Park, New South Wales |
|
|
Stadium: Sydney Croatian Sports Centre Attendance: 1,508 Referee: Bill Monteverde |
APIA Leichhardt v Sydney Croatia
| June 11 1989 21 | APIA Leichhardt | 1–3 | Sydney Croatia | Leichhardt, New South Wales |
|
Report | Stadium: Lambert Park Attendance: 1,494 Referee: Richard Lorenc |
Sydney Croatia v Blacktown City
| 18 June 1989 22 | Sydney Croatia | 0–0 | Blacktown City | Edensor Park, New South Wales |
| Report | Stadium: Sydney Croatian Sports Centre Attendance: 3,709 Referee: Chris Bambridge |
St George-Budapest FC v Sydney Croatia
| 25 June 1989 23 | 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 |
Marconi Fairfield v Sydney Croatia
| 2 July 1989 24 | Marconi Fairfield | 1–1 | Sydney Croatia | Bossley Park, New South Wales |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Marconi Stadium Attendance: 8,350 Referee: Jim Reeves |
Sydney Croatia v Preston Makedonia
| 9 July 1989 25 | Sydney Croatia | 2–1 | Preston Makedonia | Edensor Park, New South Wales |
| Report |
|
Stadium: Sydney Croatian Sports Centre Attendance: 3,408 Referee: Gary Power |
Sunshine George Cross v Sydney Croatia
| 16 July 1989 26 | Sunshine George Cross | 3–1 | Sydney Croatia | Sunshine, Victoria |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Chaplin Reserve Attendance: 1,743 Referee: Dennis Voutsinas |
NSL Cup
Sydney Croatia v APIA Leichhardt
| 23 March 1989 First round | Sydney Croatia | 1–2 | APIA Leichhardt | Edensor Park, New South Wales |
|
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.[25][26]
| No. | Pos. | Nat. | Name | National Soccer League | NSL Cup | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||
| — | FW | |
Graham Arnold | 26 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 27 | 5 |
| — | DF | |
Shane Clinch | 25 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 0 |
| — | MF | |
Craig Foster | 19 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 20 | 1 |
| — | GK | |
Tony Franken | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| — | DF | |
Alan Hunter | 24 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 25 | 4 |
| — | FW | |
Sean Ingham | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 1 |
| — | DF | |
Graham Jennings | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
| — | DF | |
Mark Jones | 23 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 2 |
| — | GK | |
John Krajnović | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| — | FW | |
Tony Krslovic | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| — | FW |  |
Manis Lamond | 21 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 4 |
| — | DF | |
Blago Milićević | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| — | MF | |
Ivan Petković | 15 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 1 |
| — | MF | |
David Rezo | 18 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 1 |
| — | MF | |
Vedran Rožić | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 |
| — | DF | |
Ante Rumora | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| — | MF | |
Wally Savor | 26 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 1 |
| — | FW | |
David Seal | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 |
| — | MF | |
Robbie Slater | 23 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 3 |
| — | MF | |
Tony Telisman | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| — | MF | |
Burim Zajmi | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| — | MF | |
Ned Zelic | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
References
- ↑ "Aussie Footballers - Kowalski to Kyriazopoulos". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "John Krajnovic (Part 1) - Football United vs Soccer City". football-united-vs-socc.captivate.fm. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
- ↑ "Ned Zelić". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
- ↑ Soccer, Aussie (June 1989). Who Moved Where, When...And The Cost! (2 ed.). Sunshine, Victoria: Aussie Soccer Magazine. p. 8.
- ↑ "Greg Woodhouse". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ↑ Gilmour, Keith (February 1989). "Henderson, De Bruin make big signings". Australian Soccer Weekly. Vol. 10, no. 364. Foreign Language Publications Pty Ltd.
- ↑ Gilmour, Keith (February 1989). "Henderson, De Bruin make big signings". Australian Soccer Weekly. Vol. 10, no. 364. Foreign Language Publications Pty Ltd.
- ↑ "Aussie Footballers - Field to Foschini". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ↑ Gilmour, Keith (February 1989). "Henderson, De Bruin make big signings". Australian Soccer Weekly. Vol. 10, no. 364. Foreign Language Publications Pty Ltd.
- ↑ Vesic, Alex (March 1989). "Two sent off!". Australian Soccer Weekly. Vol. 10, no. 368. Foreign Language Publications Pty Ltd.
- ↑ "Aussie Footballers - Chilvers to Coady". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ↑ "Aussie Footballers - Kennedy to Kim". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ↑ "Aussie Footballers - Botham to Brandan". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ↑ Soccer, Aussie (June 1989). Who Moved Where, When...And The Cost! (2 ed.). Sunshine, Victoria: Aussie Soccer Magazine. p. 8.
- ↑ Gautier, Paul. "Croatia back in strength". Australian Soccer Weekly. Vol. 10, no. January 18th 1989. Foreign Language Publications.
- ↑ "Aussie Footballers - Zacharopoulos to Zwangobani". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ↑ Soccer, Aussie (May 1989). "Solid as A-ROK". Aussie Soccer. No. 1. Anthony Cerantonio.
- ↑ Soccer, Aussie (June 1989). Who Moved Where, When...And The Cost! (2 ed.). Sunshine, Victoria: Aussie Soccer Magazine. p. 8.
- ↑ Desira, Peter (May 1989). "Solid as A-ROK". Aussie Soccer. No. 1. Anthony Cerantonio.
- ↑ "Aussie Footballers - Iandorio to Istuk". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ↑ "Sean Ingham". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
- ↑ "Mark Bosnich". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ↑ Desira, Peter (September–October 1989). "Unknown Export". Aussie Soccer Magazine. Vol. September-October 1989, no. 04. Anthony Cerantino.
- ↑ "The 1989 Season". ozfootball.net.
- ↑ "1989 National League Cup Results". ozfootball.net. Retrieved 2 August 2025.