Aljoša Asanovic
Encyclopedia
Aljoša Asanović is a retired Croatian
soccer player best known from his performances in the mid-to-late 90's when he played for Derby County
and for Croatia during Euro 96 and World Cup 98
. He was nicknamed "Vatreni Lakat" (meaning "fiery elbow") for his style of running with elbow pointed out, moving opposing players.
was one of the most important players for the Croatian football team
during their golden age from 1994-1998. He was arguably Croatia's most intelligent player in midfield, yet lacked the complete package of skills possessed by his fellow midfielder Robert Prosinečki
. In his national team debut on October 17, 1990, in a 2-1 victory against the USA which also was Croatia's first international since the independence from Yugoslavia
, Asanović even netted the first goal.
He participated in the Euro 1996
as well as the 1998 FIFA World Cup
, where Croatia won the bronze medal. In semi-final of the world cup, Asanović made the assist to Davor Šuker
from the centre of the field with a loop pass, for Croatia to take the lead against the host France
.
His last international match was a May 28, 2000 friendly against France. In total he was capped 62 times, scoring 4 goals, thus ranking among the top five Croatian national players. Asanović ended his active career in 2002 while with Hajduk Split, the club in which his career had started almost twenty years earlier.
, Robert Prosinečki
, Nikola Jurčević
and Marijan Mrmić
. On 29 December 2008 Asanović was linked to the Derby County job after Paul Jewell resigned.
Croats
Croats are a South Slavic ethnic group mostly living in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and nearby countries. There are around 4 million Croats living inside Croatia and up to 4.5 million throughout the rest of the world. Responding to political, social and economic pressure, many Croats have...
soccer player best known from his performances in the mid-to-late 90's when he played for Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
and for Croatia during Euro 96 and World Cup 98
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
. He was nicknamed "Vatreni Lakat" (meaning "fiery elbow") for his style of running with elbow pointed out, moving opposing players.
International career
The talented left-footed midfielderMidfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
was one of the most important players for the Croatian football team
Croatia national football team
The Croatia national football team represents Croatia in international football. The team is controlled by the Croatian Football Federation, the governing body for football in the country, and has been managed since 2006 by former player Slaven Bilić...
during their golden age from 1994-1998. He was arguably Croatia's most intelligent player in midfield, yet lacked the complete package of skills possessed by his fellow midfielder Robert Prosinečki
Robert Prosinecki
Robert Prosinečki is a Croatian football manager and former football midfielder. Prosinečki is regarded by many as the player with best technique that ever played in and for Croatia. Former national squad teammate Zvonimir Boban, humbly, also agreed with this. His dribbling is considered...
. In his national team debut on October 17, 1990, in a 2-1 victory against the USA which also was Croatia's first international since the independence from Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
, Asanović even netted the first goal.
He participated in the Euro 1996
1996 UEFA European Football Championship
The 1996 UEFA European Football Championship was hosted by England, who won the right to host the tournament ahead of bids from Austria, Portugal and the Netherlands. It was the tenth European Football Championship, which is held every four years and endorsed by UEFA. It was the first to use the...
as well as the 1998 FIFA World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
, where Croatia won the bronze medal. In semi-final of the world cup, Asanović made the assist to Davor Šuker
Davor Šuker
Davor Šuker , is a retired Croatian footballer. He played as a striker for a number of European clubs as well as the Croatian national team, where he is the all-time top goal scorer with 45 goals....
from the centre of the field with a loop pass, for Croatia to take the lead against the host France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
.
His last international match was a May 28, 2000 friendly against France. In total he was capped 62 times, scoring 4 goals, thus ranking among the top five Croatian national players. Asanović ended his active career in 2002 while with Hajduk Split, the club in which his career had started almost twenty years earlier.
International goals
| Goal | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17 October 1990 | Maksimir, Zagreb Zagreb Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city... |
Croatia v United States (1990) On October 17, 1990 Croatia hosted the United States in an international friendly in Zagreb's Maksimir stadium. This was Croatia's first international match.-Background:... |
Friendly Exhibition game An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition... |
||
| 2–3 | 8 June 1997 | Olympic Olympic Stadium (Tokyo) or National Stadium is a stadium in Kasumigaoka, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan that served as the main stadium for the 1964 Summer Olympics. It currently serves as the stadium where the Japan national football teams home matches and major football club cup finals are held.-History:The stadium was... , Tokyo Tokyo , ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family... |
Friendly Exhibition game An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition... |
|||
Management career
At the moment he is assistant manager of Croatian national football team, working alongside his former teammates Slaven BilićSlaven Bilic
Slaven Bilić is a former Croatian footballer and current head coach of the Croatia national team. His playing tenure predominantly comprised extended vocations in his hometown with Hajduk Split and a combination of foreign spells in Germany and England...
, Robert Prosinečki
Robert Prosinecki
Robert Prosinečki is a Croatian football manager and former football midfielder. Prosinečki is regarded by many as the player with best technique that ever played in and for Croatia. Former national squad teammate Zvonimir Boban, humbly, also agreed with this. His dribbling is considered...
, Nikola Jurčević
Nikola Jurcevic
Nikola Jurčević is a retired Croatian football player who is now a coach.He played for clubs Dinamo Zagreb , in Belgium with R. Antwerp F.C. , NK Zagreb , in Austria with SV Austria Salzburg , and in German Bundesliga with SC Freiburg...
and Marijan Mrmić
Marijan Mrmic
Marijan Mrmić is a retired Croatian football goalkeeper who is now a coach. He is currently the goalkeeping coach for both NK Varaždin and the Croatian national football team.-Club career:...
. On 29 December 2008 Asanović was linked to the Derby County job after Paul Jewell resigned.
External links
- Aljoša Asanović profile at Reprezentacija.rs
- Aljoša Asanović profile at Transfermarkt.de