2002–03 Sydney United FC season

Sydney United FC
2002–03 season
ChairmanJohn Jedinak/Peter Gašparović
ManagerBranko Culina (Rounds 1-17); Tony Krslovic & Tony Pezzano (Rounds 18-26)
StadiumSydney United Sports Centre
National Soccer League8th (League)
Top goalscorerBrendon Santalab (6)
Highest home attendance5,352 vs. Northern Spirit
(20 October 2002)
National Soccer League
Lowest home attendance2,021 vs. Perth Glory
(26 January 2003)
National Soccer League
Average home league attendance3,409
Biggest win2–0
vs. Newcastle United
(29 September 2002)
National Soccer League
2-0 vs. Marconi Stallions
(1 December 2002)
National Soccer League
2-0
vs. Melbourne Knights
(22 February 2003)
National Soccer League
3-1 vs. Brisbane Strikers
(15 March 2003)
National Soccer League
Biggest defeat0–3
vs. Parramatta Power
(8 December 2002)
National Soccer League
0–3
vs. Brisbane Strikers
(15 December 2002)
National Soccer League
1–4 vs. Newcastle United
(20 December 2002
National Soccer League

The 2002-03 season marked Sydney United's twentieth campaign in the NSL. The team finished 8th on the table, missing out on the final series.

Branko Culina retained his position for the season, but a series of poor results mid-season saw Culina leave the club, replaced by former player Tony Krslovic and Tony Pezzano as joint managers for the rest of the season.[1]

Some notable player signings included four imports who were goalkeeper Vanja Iveša and defender Božidar Čačić from NK Novalja and NK Rijeka in Croatia, defender Boris Pavić from NK Čelik Zenica in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and also midfielder Slavomír Lukáč from FC Nitra in Slovakia.

Brendon Santalab finished top goalscorer for the season with six goals.[2]


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 Croatia CRO Vanja Iveša
2 DF Croatia CRO Božidar Čačić
3 DF Croatia CRO Boris Pavić
4 DF Australia AUS Paul Bilokapic (Captain)
5 DF Australia AUS David Barrett
6 MF Australia AUS Nahuel Arrarte
7 MF Slovakia SVK Slavomír Lukáč
8 MF Australia AUS Mile Jedinak
9 FW Australia AUS Željko Babic
10 MF Australia AUS Petar Markovic
11 FW Australia AUS Christian Cevenini
12 DF Australia AUS Damon Collina
14 DF Australia AUS Michael Šantalab
15 MF Australia AUS Louis Brain
No. Pos. Nation Player
16 FW Solomon Islands SOL Commins Menapi
17 MF Australia AUS Michael Cunico
19 FW Australia AUS Brendon Šantalab
20 GK Australia AUS John Perosh
23 MF Australia AUS Anthony Doumanis
22 FW Australia AUS Milan Bosnar
25 MF Australia AUS Ante Deur
26 DF Australia AUS Marko Rudan
27 DF Australia AUS Mathew Clowes
— FW Australia AUS Jon Angelucci
— DF Australia AUS Michael Cindrić
— MF Australia AUS Gabriel Mendez
— MF Australia AUS Vince Savoca
— MF Australia AUS Daniel Watkins


Transfers in

No.
 Pos.
 Nat.
 Name
 Age
 Moving from
 Type
 Transfer
window 		Ends
 Transfer
fee 		Source
1 GK Croatia Vanja Iveša 25 NK Novalja Croatia Transfer Pre-season Free [3][4][5][6]
2 DF Croatia Božidar Čačić 30 NK Rijeka Croatia Transfer Pre-season Free [7][8][9]
3 DF Croatia Boris Pavić 28 NK Čelik Zenica Bosnia and Herzegovina Transfer Pre-season Free [10][11][12][13]
7 MF Slovakia Slavomír Lukáč 22 FC Nitra Slovakia Transfer Pre-season Free [14][15][16]
26 DF Australia Marko Rudan 27 Nanjing Yoyo China Transfer Pre-season Free [17][18][19]
5 DF Australia David Barrett 33 Parramatta Power Australia Transfer Pre-season Free [20][21][22]
15 MF Australia Louis Brain 20 Adelaide City Force Australia Transfer Pre-season Free [23][24][25]
12 MF Australia Damon Collina 24 Olympic Sharks Australia Transfer Pre-season Free [26][27][28]
23 MF Australia Anthony Doumanis 20 Olympic Sharks Australia Transfer Pre-season Free [29][30][31]

Transfers out

No.
 Pos.
 Nat.
 Name
 Age
 Moving to
 Type
 Transfer
window 		Transfer
fee 		Source
4 MF Australia Aytek Genc 38 Retirement Pre-season Free [32]
11 MF Croatia Željko Kopić 25 Hrvatski Dragovoljac Croatia Transfer Pre-season Free [33]
14 MF Australia Goran Talevski 20 Marconi Stallions Australia End of Contract Pre-season Free [34]
8 MF Australia Ante Moric 28 Fraser Park Jets Australia End of Contract Pre-season Free [35]
24 DF Australia Sebastian Sinozić 23 St George FC Australia End of Contract Pre-season Free [36]
30 GK Australia John Karoubas 22 Free agent End of Contract Pre-season Free [37]
27 GK Australia Vilson Knežević 26 Free agent End of Contract Pre-season Free [38]
4 DF Australia Elvis Olic 21 Free agent End of Contract Pre-season Free [39]
26 MF Australia Ivan Zelic 24 Free agent End of Contract Pre-season Free [40]

Mid-Season Gains

No.
 Pos.
 Nat.
 Name
 Age
 Moving from
 Type
 Transfer
window 		Ends
 Transfer
fee 		Source
9 FW Australia Željko Babic 26 Wollongong City Wolves Australia Transfer Mid-season Free [41][42]

Mid-Season Losses

No.
 Pos.
 Nat.
 Name
 Age
 Moving to
 Type
 Transfer
window 		Transfer
fee 		Source
9 MF Australia Gabriel Mendez 29 Johor FC Malaysia Loan Mid-season [43][44]
18 MF Australia Daniel Watkins 22 Johor FC Malaysia Loan Mid-season [45][46]
25 FW Australia Jon Angelucci 27 Johor FC Malaysia Loan Mid-season $110,000 [47][48]
13 MF Australia Vince Savoca 27 St George FC Australia Transfer Mid-season [49]
23 DF Australia Michael Cindrić 20 Fairfield Bulls Australia Transfer Mid-season [50]

Competitions

Overview

Competition First match Last match Starting round Final position Record
Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
National Soccer League 22 September 2002 15 March 2003 Matchday 1 8th 24 7 6 11 23 31 −8 029.17
Total 24 7 6 11 23 31 −8 029.17

Last updated: complete
Source: Competitions

National Soccer League

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
6 Northern Spirit 24 11 3 10 37 44 −7 36 Qualification for the Championship play-offs
7 South Melbourne 24 10 5 9 36 37 −1 35
8 Sydney United 24 7 6 11 23 31 −8 27
9 Melbourne Knights 24 7 6 11 38 52 −14 27
10 Brisbane Strikers 24 7 5 12 38 45 −7 26
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 7 6 11 23 31  −8 27 6 3 3 14 10  +4 1 3 8 9 21  −12

Source: [1]

Matches

22 September 2002 1 Football Kingz 0–0 Sydney United Auckland, New Zealand
Report Stadium: Ericsson Stadium
Attendance: 2,999
Referee: Derek Rugg
29 September 2002 2 Sydney United 2–0 Newcastle United Edensor Park, New South Wales
  • B.Šantalab 49'
  • Menapi 74'
 Report Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre
Attendance: 3,371
Referee: Brett Hugo
6 October 2002 3 South Melbourne 1–1 Sydney United Albert Park, Victoria
 Report
Stadium: Bob Jane Stadium
Attendance: 4,156
Referee: Perry Mur
4 Bye
Report
20 October 2002 5 Sydney United 1–1 Northern Spirit Edensor Park, New South Wales
 Report
Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre
Attendance: 5,352
Referee: Con Diomis
27 October 2002 6 Perth Glory 2–0 Sydney United Vincent, Western Australia
 Report Stadium: Perth Oval
Attendance: 7,595
Referee: Mark Shield
3 November 2002 7 Sydney United 2–1 Wollongong Wolves Edensor Park, New South Wales
 Report
Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre
Attendance: 4,152
Referee: Simon Przydacz
10 November 2002 8 Olympic Sharks 1–0 Sydney United Woolooware, New South Wales
 Report Stadium: Shark Park
Attendance: 3,620
Referee: Angelo Nardi
17 November 2002 9 Sydney United 2–1 Adelaide City Force Edensor Park, New South Wales
 Report
Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre
Attendance: 3,963
Referee: Mark Shield
24 November 2002 10 Melbourne Knights 3–2 Sydney United Sunshine North, Victoria
  • Pelikan 28'
  • Biscayzacú 58 (pen)'
  • A.Cervinski 78'
 Report
Stadium: Knights Stadium
Attendance: 4,155
Referee: Craig Zetter
1 December 2002 11 Sydney United 2–0 Marconi Stallions Edensor Park, New South Wales
 Report Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre
Attendance: 3,826
Referee: Eddie Lennie
8 December 2002 12 Parramatta Power 3–0 Sydney United Parramatta, New South Wales
 Report Stadium: Parramatta Stadium
Attendance: 3,004
Referee: Ben Williams
15 December 2002 13 Sydney United 0–3 Brisbane Strikers Edensor Park, New South Wales
Report
Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre
Attendance: 3,263
Referee: Matthew Breeze
20 December 2002 14 Newcastle United 4–1 Sydney United Newcastle, New South Wales
 Report
Stadium: EnergyAustralia Stadium
Attendance: 5,076
Referee: Ben Williams
29 December 2002 15 Sydney United 1–0 Football Kingz Edensor Park, New South Wales
  • Doumanis 11'
 Report Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre
Attendance: 2,943
Referee: Peter Green
5 January 2003 16 Sydney United 0–1 South Melbourne Edensor Park, New South Wales
Report
Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre
Attendance: 2,730
Referee: Mark Shield
17 Bye
Report
17 January 2003 18 Northern Spirit 1–0 Sydney United North Sydney, New South Wales
 Report Stadium: North Sydney Oval
Attendance: 2,016
Referee: Craig Zetter
26 January 2003 19 Sydney United 1–1 Perth Glory Edensor Park, New South Wales
 Report
Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre
Attendance: 2,021
Referee: Matthew Breeze
31 January 2003 20 Wollongong Wolves 2–1 Sydney United Wollongong, New South Wales
 Report
Stadium: WIN Stadium
Attendance: 3,031
Referee: Matthew Breeze
9 February 2003 21 Sydney United 1–1 Olympic Sharks Edensor Park, New South Wales
  • Doumanis 87'
 Report
Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre
Attendance: 3,653
Referee: Eddie Lennie
14 February 2003 22 Adelaide City Force 2–0 Sydney United Hindmarsh, South Australia
 Report Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 1,982
Referee: Angelo Nardi
22 February 2003 23 Sydney United 2–0 Melbourne Knights Edensor Park, New South Wales
  • Doumanis 44'
  • Lukáč 90'
 Report Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre
Attendance: 2,391
Referee: Ben Williams
28 February 2003 24 Marconi Stallions 1–1 Sydney United Bossley Park, New South Wales
  • Last 23'
 Report
  • Collina 19'
 Stadium: Marconi Stadium
Attendance: 2,377
Referee: Matthew Breeze
9 March 2003 25 Sydney United 0–1 Parramatta Power Edensor Park, New South Wales
Report
  • Barrett (og) 75'
 Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre
Attendance: 3,251
Referee: Matthew Breeze
15 March 2003 26 Brisbane Strikers 1–3 Sydney United Herston, Queensland
 Report
Stadium: Ballymore Stadium
Attendance: 1,987
Referee: Brett Hugo

Statistics

Appearances and goals

Players with no appearances not included in the list.[51][52]

No. Pos. Nat. Name National Soccer League Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals
1 GK Croatia Vanja Ivesa 24 0 24 0
2 DF Croatia Božidar Čačić 18 2 18 2
3 DF Croatia Boris Pavić 15 0 15 0
4 DF Australia Paul Bilokapic 23 0 23 0
5 DF Australia David Barrett 19 0 19 0
6 MF Australia Nahuel Arrarte 14 0 14 0
7 MF Slovakia Slavomír Lukáč 14 1 14 1
8 MF Australia Mile Jedinak 18 2 18 2
9 FW Australia Zeljko Babic 9 0 9 0
10 MF Australia Petar Markovic 5 0 5 0
11 MF Australia Christian Cevenini 1 0 1 0
12 MF Australia Damon Collina 17 1 17 1
14 DF Australia Michael Šantalab 9 0 9 0
15 MF Australia Louis Brain 22 1 22 1
16 FW Solomon Islands Commins Menapi 18 2 18 2
17 MF Australia Michael Cunico 7 1 7 1
19 FW Australia Brendon Šantalab 17 6 17 6
20 GK Australia John Perosh 1 0 1 0
22 MF Australia Milan Bosnar 4 0 4 0
23 MF Australia Anthony Doumanis 21 3 21 3
25 MF Australia Ante Deur 13 1 13 1
Players who left during the season
9 MF Australia Gabriel Mendez 12 0 12 0
13 MF Australia Vince Savoca 1 0 1 0
18 DF Australia Daniel Watkins 4 0 4 0
25 FW Australia Jon Angelucci 9 3 9 3

References

  1. ^ Nimac, Ivan; Dusevic, Sime; Lozina, Leonard; Nimac, Tony (2008). More Than a Game: 50 Years of Sydney United (First Edition 2008 ed.). Sydney, NSW, Australia: Sydney United. pp. 231–234. ISBN 978-0-646-50046-1.
  2. ^ Nimac, Ivan; Dusevic, Sime; Lozina, Leonard; Nimac, Tony (2008). More Than a Game: 50 Years of Sydney United (First Edition 2008 ed.). Sydney, NSW, Australia: Sydney United. pp. 231–234. ISBN 978-0-646-50046-1.
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