Zoran Knežević (footballer)

Zoran Knežević (Serbian Cyrillic: Зоран Кнежевић; born August 15, 1986) is a Serbian football manager who coaches for Scarborough SC in the Canadian Soccer League.

Zoran Knežević
Personal information
Full name Zoran Knežević
Date of birth (1986-08-15) August 15, 1986
Place of birth Valjevo, SFR Yugoslavia
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Position(s) Defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Scarborough SC
Number 5
Youth career
1998–2002 Budućnost Valjevo
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2003 Budućnost Valjevo 7 (0)
2003–2005 Vujić Voda 20 (0)
2005–2008 BSK Borča 70 (7)
2008–2009 Khimki 1 (0)
2009–2010 BSK Borča 51 (5)
2010–2012 Gazovik Orenburg 14 (1)
2012–2014 Sloboda Užice 46 (1)
2014–2015 Padideh 25 (0)
2015–2016 Jagodina 20 (0)
2016 Bali United 8 (0)
2017 Budućnost Valjevo ? (?)
2017 OFK Grbalj 10 (0)
2018– Scarborough SC 0 (0)
Managerial career
2023– Scarborough SC
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14 October 2018

Club career

Early career

Knežević began playing in 2002 with FK Budućnost Valjevo in the Second League of Serbia and Montenegro, and in 2005 in the Serbian First League with FK BSK Borča.[2] He would re-sign with Borča for the 2007-08 season.[3]

Russia

In the winter transfer window of 2007-08, he was acquired by Russian Premier League side FC Khimki.[4] He appeared in one match against Dynamo Moscow on March 23, 2008.[5] His tenure with Khimki lasted a single season and departed from the club after his contract wasn't renewed.[6] After a season in Serbia, he returned to Russia in the winter of 2011 to play in the second tier with Gazovik Orenburg.[7][8][9] In total, he would play in 14 matches and score one goal.[10]

Serbia

After his first stint in Russia, he returned to his former club Borca in 2009 where he played for two seasons in the country's top-tier league the Serbian SuperLiga.[11][12] Following his second spell in Russia, he resumes his career in the Serbian top tier by signing with Sloboda Užice for the 2012-13 season.[13][14] He would re-sign with Sloboda for another season however the club was relegated after the conclusion of the season.[15]

In 2015, he returned to the SuperLiga to sign with FK Jagodina.[16] In his debut season with Jagodina, he appeared in 20 matches.[17] Knežević departed from Jagodina after their relegation to the second tier.[18]

He returned to Europe in 2017 to play in the Serbian League West with Buducnost Valjevo. For the remainder of the 2017-18 season he played in the Montenegrin First League with OFK Grbalj.[19][20]

Asia

In 2014, he played abroad in the Iranian top tier the Persian Gulf Pro League with Padideh F.C.[21] He would depart from the club the following season due to a pay dispute.[22] He would appear in 25 matches for Padideh.[10]

In 2016, he returned to Asia to play in the Indonesia Soccer Championship with Bali United F.C.[23][24][25]

Scarborough SC

In 2018, Knežević played abroad in the southern Ontario-based Canadian Soccer League with Scarborough SC.[26] In his debut season with the Toronto-based club, he contributed a goal in the opening round of the playoffs against Hamilton City which advanced Scarborough to the next round.[27] Scarborough would ultimately reach the CSL Championship final where they were defeated in a penalty shootout by FC Vorkuta.[28][29] He re-signed with Scarborough for the 2019 season where he assisted in securing the club's first championship title after defeating FC Ukraine United.[30][31] The following season saw Scarborough claim their first divisional title after finishing first in the First Division.[32] He made his fourth consecutive championship final appearance where Vorkuta defeated Scarborough.[33][34]

In 2021, he re-signed with the eastern Toronto side for his fourth season.[35] Throughout the 2021 campaign, he appeared in the invitational tournament final the ProSound Cup against rivals Vorkuta where Scarborough was defeated in a penalty shootout.[36][37] He won his second championship title by assisting Scarborough in defeating Vorkuta in the 2021 playoffs.[38][39] He re-signed with Scarborough for the 2022 season.[40] Throughout the 2022 campaign, the eastern Toronto side would achieve an 18-game undefeated streak and playoff position by finishing third.[41][42] Knežević made his third championship appearance, which Scarborough lost to FC Continentals (formerly FC Vorkuta).[43][44]

International career

Knežević represented the Serbia national under-21 football team.[45]

Managerial career

In 2023, he transitioned into the management realm as he was named the head coach of his former team Scarborough SC.[46] Knežević would lead the Toronto-based club to a regular season title.[47]

Honours

Scarborough SC

References
  1. Prvi tim BSK Borča Archived August 20, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  2. "Period 1991 - 2012". FK BSK Borča (in Serbian). Retrieved 2018-12-15.
  3. "Крчмаревић ствара нови тим" [Krčmarević creates a new team]. Politika Online. 8 May 2007. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  4. "Кнежевич присоединился к "Химкам"" [Knezhevich joined Khimki]. Sports.ru. 19 January 2008. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  5. "ФНК - Чемпионат России" [March 23. Moscow. Stadium "Dynamo"]. football.kulichki.net. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  6. ""Химки" отзаявили трех легионеров" ["Khimki" announced three legionnaires]. Sports.ru. 25 August 2008. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  7. "Gazovik Orenburg 2011-12". en.eufo.de. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  8. ""Газовик" заключил соглашение с сербским полузащитником" [Gazovik signed an agreement with the Serbian midfielder]. Sports.ru. 30 March 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  9. "Зоран Кнежевич стал игроком Газовика" [Zoran Knezevic became a Gazovik player]. Soccer.ru (in Russian). 30 March 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  10. "Serbia - Z. Knežević - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". ca.soccerway.com. Retrieved 2022-11-06.
  11. Vidojević, Mihajlo (6 June 2013). "Sportske.net - Knežević: "Užice živi za fudbal"" [Knežević: "Užice lives for football"]. Sportske.net (in Serbian). Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  12. "BSK Borca 2009-10". en.eufo.de. Retrieved 2018-12-14.
  13. "FK Sloboda Uzice 2013-14". en.eufo.de. Retrieved 2018-12-15.
  14. "Knežević: Užice živi za fudbal". B92.net (in Serbian). Retrieved 2018-12-15.
  15. "Užice to nije zaslužilo..." [Uzice didn't deserve it..]. NOVOSTI (in Serbian). 30 May 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  16. "Novinska agencija Beta" [Jagodina: List of reinforcements in the transition period]. Novinska agencija Beta (in Serbian). 1 September 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  17. "Disebut-sebut Bakal Gantikan Posisi Lucas" [Mentioned Will Replace Lucas]. Bali Tribune. 11 August 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  18. "Jagodinskog Risea zovu Španci | MozzartSport" [The Spaniards call Jagodinski Rise]. www.mozzartsport.com (in Serbian). 6 July 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  19. "Zoran Knežević – OFK Grbalj Radanovići". ofkgrbalj.com (in Bosnian). Archived from the original on 15 December 2018. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  20. "Stigli Mijuskovic i Kaluderovic" [Mijuskovic and Kaluderovic Arrived]. ofkgrbalj.com. 13 August 2018. Archived from the original on 13 August 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  21. "Mrva Jovanović: Iranci su ludi za fudbalom, neke derbije gleda preko 100.000 ljudi | MozzartSport" [Mrva Jovanović: Iranians are crazy about football, some derbies are watched by over 100,000 people]. www.mozzartsport.com (in Serbian). 2 July 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  22. "Iran's Padideh face six-point deduction by FIFA". Tehran Times. 9 December 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  23. "ZORAN KNEZEVIC TIDAK SABAR MEMULAI DEBUT BERSAMA BALI UNITED" [Zoran Knezevic Cannot Wait Any Longer to have his debut with Bali United]. Bali United Official Website. 30 August 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  24. "Gelandang Serbia Merapat ke Bali United" [Serbian midfielder joins Bali United]. Bola.net. 12 August 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  25. Muhammad, Imadudin (30 August 2016). "Kualitas Tim Bali United Bikin Zoran Tertarik ke Indonesia - TIMES Indonesia" [The quality of the Bali United team makes Zoran interested in Indonesia]. www.timesindonesia.co.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  26. "2018 Scarborough SC roster". canadiansoccerleague.ca. Archived from the original on 19 December 2018. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  27. Adamson, Stan (30 September 2018). "Waterloo and Scarborough Advance in CSL Championship Playoffs". Canadian Soccer League. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  28. Adamson, Stan (14 October 2018). "Vorkuta, Vorkuta, Vorkuta Spells Three CSL Titles". Canadian Soccer League. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  29. Stanchev, Stancho (October 18, 2018). "Прокобата на дузпите отново провали К. Димитров в Канада" [The execution of the penalties again failed K. Dimitrov in Canada]. Вестник СТРУМА (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2020-01-26.
  30. Adamson, Stan (26 October 2019). "Scarborough on Top…..Vorkuta B wins Second Division Championship – Canadian Soccer League". canadiansoccerleague.ca. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  31. Stanchev, Stancho (28 October 2019). "ОТ ТРЕТИЯ ОПИТ! Брежанецът К. Димитров триумфира с шампионската титла в Канада" [FROM THE THIRD ATTEMPT! K. Dimitrov from Brežan triumphed with the championship title in Canada]. Вестник СТРУМА (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  32. Stanchev, Stancho (October 14, 2020). "К. Димитров-Брежанеца отново спечели редовния сезон на канадската лига" [K. Dimitrov-Brezhanetsa again won the regular season of the Canadian league]. Вестник СТРУМА (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  33. Stanchev, Stancho (October 30, 2020). "Брежанецът К. Димитров и подопечните му сдадоха титлата в Канада, привикаха на пожар ексорлето Кр. Бибишков, но не го пуснаха на терена" [Brezhanets K. Dimitrov and his wards handed over the title in Canada, summoned the exorcist Kr. Bibishkov, but they did not let him on the field]. Вестник СТРУМА (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  34. Adamson, Stan (18 October 2020). "VORKUTA RALLY FOR CSL CHAMPIONSHIP VICTORY – Canadian Soccer League". Canadian Soccer League. Archived from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  35. "2021 Scarborough SC roster". canadiansoccerleague.ca. Archived from the original on 9 August 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  36. "Vorkuta Triumphant in ProSound Final...Penalty kicks defeat Scarborough". Canadian Soccer League. 25 October 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  37. Stanchev, Stancho (30 October 2021). "Брежанският мениджър К. Димитров загуби футболен финал в Канада" [Brežan manager K. Dimitrov lost a football final in Canada]. Вестник СТРУМА (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 11 September 2022.
  38. Adamson, Stan (7 November 2021). "Scarborough CSL Champs.......Decisive 4-1 victory over FC Vorkuta". Canadian Soccer League. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  39. Stanchev, Stancho (11 November 2021). "Брежанският мениджър К. Димитров изведе "Скарбъро" до втора титла в Канада" [Brzezany manager K. Dimitrov leads Scarborough to second title in Canada]. Вестник СТРУМА (in Bulgarian). Archived from the original on 11 November 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  40. "2022 Scarborough SC roster". Canadian Soccer League. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  41. Stanchev, Stancho (5 August 2022). ""Скарбъро" на К. Димитров-Брежанеца с първа загуба от 2 г. насам" ["Scarborough" of K. Dimitrov-Brezhanetsa with the first loss in 2 years]. Вестник СТРУМА (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  42. "К. Димитров-Брежанеца на две стъпки от дубъл на титлата в Канада" [K. Dimitrov-Brezhanetsa is two steps away from a double title in Canada]. Вестник СТРУМА (in Bulgarian). 19 August 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  43. Adamson, Stan (28 August 2022). "Continentals Win Championship Squeaker..." Canadian Soccer League. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  44. Stanchev, Stancho (8 September 2022). "Мениджърът К. Димитров от Брежани и "Скарбъро" останаха без титла в Канада" [Manager K. Dimitrov from Brezhani and "Scarborough" remained without a title in Canada]. Вестник СТРУМА (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  45. "Zoran Knezevic srbijafudbal.net profile". srbijafudbal.net. Archived from the original on 27 March 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  46. "Брежански мениджър смени треньора и подсили "Скарбъро" с трио от елита на Ямайка" [Brezhanski manager replaced the coach and strengthened Scarborough with a trio of Jamaica's elite]. Вестник СТРУМА (in Bulgarian). 19 July 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  47. "Брежанският мениджър К. Димитров изведе канадския „Скарбъро" до нова титла в редовния сезон" ["Brezhan manager K. Dimitrov led the Canadian "Scarborough" to a new title in the regular season"]. Вестник СТРУМА (in Bulgarian). 29 September 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
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