Žarko Odžakov

Žarko Odžakov (Macedonian: Жарко Оџаков;born 11 November 1955) is a retired soccer player who played as a midfielder. Born in Yugoslavia, he represented the Australia national team 13 times.[2][3][4] Former Australia coach Rale Rasic in 2006 picked Odžakov in his greatest Socceroo team.[5]

Žarko Odžakov
Personal information
Full name Žarko Odžakov
Жарко Оџаков
Date of birth (1955-11-11) 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)
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

FK Vardar

Odžakov played 109 matches over eight years for FK Vardar in the Yugoslav First League, scoring nine goals.[1]

Preston

In 1982, he emigrated to Australia where he played for Preston Makedonia in the National Soccer League.[1]

Sydney Croatia

From 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

After two years at Croatia he moved to Blacktown City where he played two years, playing 55 NSL matches.[1]

Outdoor football

In 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

Odžakov played three matches for the Australia national futsal team at the 1989 FIFA Futsal World Championship.[4]

Coaching career

Soon 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

The 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
  1. "Australian Player Database – OB". ozfootball.net. Retrieved 28 May 2009.
  2. Murray, Les (3 March 2009). "Aussie coach with the right stuff". The World Game. Special Broadcasting Service. Retrieved 28 May 2009.
  3. Murray, Les (2 December 2008). "Old soccer, ethnics and our future". The World Game. Special Broadcasting Service. Retrieved 28 May 2009.
  4. "FIFA Player Statistics – Zarko ODZAKOV". FIFA. Archived from the original on 1 August 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
  5. "Rasic snubs Socceroos Kewell and Viduka". The Sydney Morning Herald. 20 April 2006. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
  6. "The ZARKO ODZAKOV Cup". Sydney United Football Club. Archived from the original on 24 November 2005. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
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