Žarko Odžakov (Macedonian: Жарко Оџаков;born 11 November 1955) is a retired soccer player who played as a midfielder. Born in Yugoslavia, he played for the Australia national team 13 times.[2][3][4] Former Australia coach Rale Rasic in 2006 picked Odžakov in his greatest Socceroo team.[5]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name |
Žarko Odžakov Жарко Оџаков | ||
| Date of birth | 11 November 1955[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Dojran, SFR Yugoslavia | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1974–1982 | Vardar | 109 | (9) |
| 1982–1984 | Preston Makedonia | 54 | (10) |
| 1985–1987 | Sydney Croatia | 67 | (17) |
| 1988–1990 | Blacktown City | 55 | (2) |
| Total | 285 | (38) | |
| International career | |||
| 1985–1987 | Australia | 13 | (3) |
| 1989 | Australia (futsal) | 3 | (1) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2001 | Vardar | ||
| 2002–2003 | Macedonia U21 | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Playing career
editClub career
editFK Vardar
editOdžakov played 109 matches over eight years for FK Vardar in the Yugoslav First League, scoring nine goals.[1]
Preston
editIn 1982, he emigrated to Australia where he played for Preston Makedonia in the National Soccer League.[1]
Sydney Croatia
editFrom 1985 until 1987 he played at NSL club Sydney Croatia. It was at Croatia that he took the notice of the Australian selectors.[1][3]
Blacktown City
editAfter two years at Croatia he moved to Blacktown City where he played two years, playing 55 NSL matches.[1]
International career
editOutdoor football
editIn 1985 Odžakov played his first international match for the Australia. In all he played 13 full international matches for the Socceroos, playing his last match in 1987.[1]
Futsal
editOdžakov played three matches for the Australia national futsal team at the 1989 FIFA Futsal World Championship.[4]
Coaching career
editSoon after retiring Odžakov returned to his native North Macedonia. He soon received his coaching accreditation in Belgrade.[2]
After a string of assistant coaching roles Odžakov had stint managing FK Vardar, where he managed to place Vardar in the top half of the Macedonian First League.[2]
Odžakov managed various North Macedonia youth teams, including the North Macedonia national under-21 football team.[2]
Zarko Odzakov Cup
editThe Zarko Odzakov Cup is named in honour of Odžakov. It is contested by Sydney United (formerly Sydney Croatia) and Bankstown City (a team representing the Macedonian-Australian community).[6]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f "Australian Player Database – OB". ozfootball.net. Retrieved 28 May 2009.
- ^ a b c d Murray, Les (3 March 2009). "Aussie coach with the right stuff". The World Game. Special Broadcasting Service. Retrieved 28 May 2009.
- ^ a b Murray, Les (2 December 2008). "Old soccer, ethnics and our future". The World Game. Special Broadcasting Service. Retrieved 28 May 2009.
- ^ a b "FIFA Player Statistics – Zarko ODZAKOV". FIFA. Archived from the original on 1 August 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
- ^ "Rasic snubs Socceroos Kewell and Viduka". The Sydney Morning Herald. 20 April 2006. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
- ^ "The ZARKO ODZAKOV Cup". Sydney United Football Club. Archived from the original on 24 November 2005. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
External links
edit- Žarko Odžakov at National-Football-Teams.com