Jump to content

Sasa Ognenovski

From Alfawiki
Sasa Ognenovski
Born (1979-04-03) April 3, 1979 (age 47)
Occupation(s)Soccer player, football coach
Years active1997–2015 (player), 2019– (coach)
Known forCentral defender for Australia national team, Asian Footballer of the Year 2010
Notable workAFC Champions League winner 2010 with Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma

Sasa Ognenovski (; born 3 April 1979) is a former Australian professional soccer player who operated primarily as a central defender. Throughout his career, he earned 22 appearances for the Australia national team and concluded his playing days with Sydney FC in the A-League. Presently, he holds the position of director of football at Preston Lions.

In 2010, Ognenovski received the prestigious title of Asian Footballer of the Year, was selected for the K-League Best XI, and secured the AFC Champions League trophy with Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma. These accomplishments led to his inclusion in Australia's squad for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. Standing at 1.95 m, he ranks among the tallest players to have represented Australia, alongside Robert Cornthwaite and Eli Babalj, surpassed only by Zeljko Kalac (2.02 m) and Harry Souttar (1.98 m).

Club career

Ognenovski's club career included spells at Macedonian side Preston Lions (1997–2000, 2003–2004), Melbourne Knights (2000–2002), Greek outfit Panahaiki (2002–2003), and later Queensland Roar. In February 2008, he transferred to Adelaide United FC to participate in the upcoming Asian Champions League commencing March 2008.

He celebrated his 50th appearance in the A-League on 22 November 2008 against Sydney FC, where he netted his inaugural goal for Adelaide during a 2–0 victory at Hindmarsh Stadium. A week subsequent to this match, Ognenovski scored a vital equalizer from a set piece in a 1–1 draw facing the Newcastle Jets.

By January 2009, Ognenovski had attracted transfer interest from K-League sides Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma and FC Seoul. Adelaide initially declined Seongnam's offer of A$285,000, seeking $570,000 instead. The transfer was ultimately completed on 13 January 2009, with Ognenovski signing a two-year contract with Seongnam following the conclusion of the A-League season. He expressed gratitude towards Adelaide's owners Nick and Dario Fontanarosa, highlighting family considerations as a key factor in his decision.

Ranked as the second-best Macedonian footballer in 2008 behind Goran Pandev, Ognenovski captained Seongnam to victory in the 2010 AFC Champions League, scoring the opening goal in their 3–1 triumph over Zob Ahan Isfahan FC in the final. His performance earned him both Man of the Match and tournament MVP accolades.

On 7 July 2012, after three successful years with Seongnam, Ognenovski joined Umm-Salal Sports Club competing in the Qatar Stars League. He made his debut on 21 October 2012 during a 1–1 draw against Al Kharitiyath.

Ognenovski returned to Australia's top-flight competition on 4 February 2014 by signing with Sydney FC. He scored his first goal for Sydney with an assist from marquee signing Alessandro Del Piero against the Newcastle Jets. On 8 October 2014, he was appointed vice-captain alongside fellow defender Nikola Petković. Although he initially scored in Round 2 of the 2014–15 season versus Western Sydney Wanderers, it was later recorded as an own goal. Following that match, he faced suspension due to an incident involving striking an opposing player.

Sydney FC released Ognenovski on 3 June 2015.

International career

While eligible to represent Australia, Ognenovski initially sought to play for his ancestral nation North Macedonia after being overlooked for Australia's squad during qualification for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. Despite receiving a call-up from coach Srečko Katanec in 2009, FIFA clearance issues prevented him from making an appearance.

Subsequently, under new Socceroos coach Holger Osieck, Ognenovski was selected for a friendly encounter against Egypt and included in Australia's final squad for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. He started every game throughout the tournament, establishing a formidable defensive partnership with Lucas Neill and scoring during Australia's commanding 6–0 semi-final victory over Uzbekistan.

Managerial career

Ognenovski launched his coaching journey in 2019, taking on the role of head coach for the NPL Victoria side Dandenong City.

Achievements

Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma

Australia

Personal accolades

Club performance

Club Season League1 Cup2 International3 Overall
Appearances Goals Appearances Goals Appearances Goals Appearances Goals
Preston Lions 1997–98 25 1 25 1
1998–99 30 3 30 3
1999–2000 34 4 34 4
Total 88 8 - - - - 88 8
Melbourne Knights 2000–01 23 0 23 0
2001–02 28 0 28 0
Total 51 0 - - - - 51 0
Panachaiki 2002–03 2 0 2 0 4 0
Total 2 0 2 0 - - 4 0
Preston Lions 2003–04 26 5 26 5
Total 26 5 - - - - 26 5
Fawkner-Whittlesea Blues 2005 16 2 16 2
Total 16 2 - - - - 16 2
Queensland Roar 2006–07 17 0 5 0 0 22 0
2007–08 21 2 5 1 0 26 3
'Total' '38' '2' '10' '1' -|'48' '3'
'Adelaide United FC' 'A-League 2008-09' '3'|'1'|'0'|'11'|'0'|'35'|'3'
'Total' '3'|'1'|'0'|'11'|'0'|'35'|'3'
'Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma' 'K-League 2009' '2'|'11'|'0'|-|-|'35'|'2'
'K-League 2010' '3'|'6'|'0'|'11'|'2'|'42'|'5'
'K-League 2011' '5'|'9'|'2'|-|-|'33'|'7'
'K-League 2012' '0'|'1'|'0'|'5'|'0'|'17'|'0'
'Total' '84' 10' 27' 2' 16' 2' 127' 14'
Umm Salal SC 2012–13 Qatar Stars League 18 1 0 0 - - 18 1
Total 18 1 0 0 0 0 18 1
Sydney FC 2013–14 Sydney FC season 6 1 0 0 0 0 6 1
2014–15 Sydney FC season 6 2 1 0 0 0 7 2
Total 12 3 1 0 0 0 13 3
Career Total 358 33 41 3 27 2 416 38

1 – comprises statistics from the A-League finals and K-League playoffs
 2 – includes appearances in the League Cup
 3 – incorporates matches from the FIFA Club World Cup and AFC Champions League, recorded in the subsequent season after group stages

International statistics

Australia national squad
Year Appearances Goals scored
2010 1 0
2011 9 1
Total 10 1


External links

Retrieved from "https://www.alfawiki.org/index.php?title=Sasa_Ognenovski&oldid=64770"