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Ante Covic

From Alfawiki
Ante Covic
Born (1975-06-13) June 13, 1975 (age 51)
Sydney, Australia
Occupation(s)Football coach, former goalkeeper
Years active1997–2018 (player)
Known forGoalkeeper for Western Sydney Wanderers, Newcastle Jets; Australian national team player

Ante Covic (born 13 June 1975) is an Australian football coach and former goalkeeper, currently leading Bankstown City (Women) in the NSW League One competition. Covic has represented the Australian national team twice and was included in the squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup held in Germany. In 2014, he received the Player of the Tournament accolade in the AFC Champions League after recording eight clean sheets across 12 games for Western Sydney Wanderers, who secured the championship by overcoming Al-Hilal.

Personal life

Covic possesses Croatian roots. He is married to Vanessa Covic and they have two children named Emelie and Christopher.

Club career

His playing career includes stints with Marconi Stallions and Sydney Olympic in Australia's former National Soccer League, as well as spells at Greek clubs PAOK and Kavala, along with Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb.

Hammarby IF

Following his return to Australia in 1999, Covic played for several European teams before signing with Swedish outfit Hammarby IF. Competing for the first-choice goalkeeper role, he made his Allsvenskan debut early in the season and quickly established himself as a regular starter. Covic departed Hammarby in 2006 after making 121 appearances, a tally surpassed by only three other goalkeepers throughout the club’s history.

Newcastle Jets

Covic debuted in the A-League in December 2006 with Newcastle Jets, serving as their goalkeeper during their championship-winning campaign in 2007. On 17 March 2009, he secured a three-year contract with Swedish club IF Elfsborg.

Melbourne Victory

On 4 October 2011, Covic signed a one-year contract with Melbourne Victory, joining as an injury replacement for Tando Velaphi. He made his debut against Sydney FC at Etihad Stadium, earning man of the match recognition following a crucial penalty save. He replicated this standout performance during the Melbourne Derby two weeks later.

In a 2011 A-League fixture against Brisbane Roar, both Covic and defender Matthew Foschini were controversially dismissed, leaving Melbourne Victory reduced to nine players for much of the match.

On 1 May 2012, newly appointed Melbourne Victory coach Ange Postecoglou opted not to renew Covic’s contract, prioritizing younger goalkeepers Lawrence Thomas and Velaphi. This decision came despite Covic having been awarded Player's Player of the Year at the club’s annual ceremony.

Western Sydney Wanderers

Covic joined A-League expansion side Western Sydney Wanderers on a free transfer on 2 July 2012. The Wanderers surpassed expectations by clinching the Premier's Plate in their debut season, with Covic named in the inaugural A-League All-Star squad. He was instrumental in their successful 2014 AFC Champions League campaign, maintaining eight clean sheets over twelve matches and earning MVP honors after their triumph against Al-Hilal in the final.

Perth Glory

On 8 July 2015, Covic continued his A-League career by signing with Perth Glory.

Rockdale City and Retirement

In January 2017, Covic moved back east from Perth Glory due to family commitments and signed with Rockdale City Suns. Following the conclusion of the 2018 NPL season, he decided to retire from playing and took up the role of goalkeeper coach at Marconi Stallions. Later that year, in December 2018, he made a brief comeback to provide short-term injury cover for Wellington Phoenix, although he remained an unused substitute during their 3–1 victory over Sydney FC.

International Career

Covic was included in the Australian squad during the 2006 World Cup qualification play-offs against Uruguay and was selected as Australia's third-choice goalkeeper behind Mark Schwarzer and Zeljko Kalac for the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals held in Germany.

His international debut came on 22 February 2006 in an Asian Cup qualifier against Bahrain. Covic earned his second and final international appearance on 22 March 2008 in a friendly match versus Singapore, where he captained the team for part of the second half following substitutions involving Harry Kewell and Jade North.

Career Statistics

CS = Clean Sheets

Club Season Division League1 Cup International2 Total
Apps CS Apps CS Apps CS Apps CS
Marconi Stallions 1997–98 National Soccer League 25 14 0 0 0 0 25 14
1998–99 21 7 0 0 0 0 21 7
Total 46 21 0 0 0 0 46 21
PAOK 1999–2000 Alpha Ethniki 4 1 2 2 3 1 9 4
2000–01 4 0 1 0 0 0 5 0
Total 8 1 3 2 3 1 14 5
Kavala (loan) 1999–2000 Alpha Ethniki 15 ? 0 0 0 0 15 0
Total 15 ? 0 0 0 0 15 0
Dinamo Zagreb 2001–02 Prva HNL 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Hammarby IF 2002 Allsvenskan 20 0 0 0 2 0 22 0
2003 26 12 0 0 0 0 26 12
2004 26 9 0 0 4 1 30 10
2005 26 8 0 0 0 0 26 8
2006 23 9 0 0 0 0 23 9
Total 121 38 0 0 6 1 127 39
Newcastle Jets 2006–07 A-League 8 3 0 0 0 0 8 3
2007–08 25 8 5 2 (none) – 30 10
2008-09 21 3 3 1 2 1 26 5 - Total 54 14 8 3 2 1 64 18 - IF Elfsborg 2009 Allsvenskan 29 10 2 0 6 4 37 14 - 2010 17 5 ۰ ۰ ۴ ۲ ۲۱ ۷ - 2011 13 6 2 1 3 1 18 8 - Total 59 21 4 1 13 7 76 29 - Melbourne Victory 2011-12 A-League 24 3 ۰ ۰ ۰ ۰ ۲۴ =۳
Total 24 3 ۰ ۰ ۰ ۰ 24 3
Western Sydney Wanderers 2012-13 A-League 29 =۱۱ =– =– =– =– =۲۹ =۱۱
2013-14 28 =۱۰ =– =– =۱۲ =۸ =۴۰ =۱۸
2014-15 21 =۳ =۱ =۰ =۶ =۲ =۲۸ =۵
Total 78 24 1 ۰ 18 10 97 34

1 – includes A-League finals series matches
 2 – encompasses continental competitions and FIFA Club World Cup; AFC Champions League statistics are counted within seasons concluding during group stages

National team statistics

Australia national squad
Year Appearances Shutouts
2006 1 0
2007 0 0
2008 1 1
Total 2 1

Club

PAOK
Newcastle Jets
Western Sydney Wanderers

Individual

Records

External links

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