Ljubo Milicevic
Encyclopedia
Ljubo Miličević is an Australia
n football (soccer) player who currently plays for Hajduk Split
in the Prva HNL.
in Australia
, playing one game in the NSL
before moving to Perth Glory
in 1999, where he scored on his debut and played a major role in getting the Western Australia
n side to its first ever NSL
Grand Final in 2000 where he made a name for himself by being the youngest player to ever score in an Australia
n grand final. Suffering a serious knee injury in the first game of the World Youth Cup in Argentina
hampered his chances of moving to German
giants Hertha Berlin. Later that same year he finally went to Europe
and went on to play for FC Zurich, FC Basel
, FC Thun
and BSC Young Boys
in Switzerland
. The latter two clubs Miličević captained in the Swiss Super League
and European competition at the age of 25. He also Captained the Australian Under 20's side at the World Youth Cup in 2001 in Argentina and later the Australian Olympic Team that qualified for Athens, unfortunately he missed out due to a groin injury he sustained during qualification.
champions Melbourne Victory
. He was not home long before he again drew interest from abroad with Croatia
n heavyweights Hajduk Split and Dinamo Zagreb
both chasing his signature. Miličević declared the only club he would ever play for in Croatia
would be his childhood dream team Hajduk Split, citing both the fanatical Torcida
and close friend Josip Skoko
as inspirations. His time with the Victory was marred by a long-term knee injury he incurred on the opening day of the season. His contract with Melbourne Victory was "mutually terminated" on 22 February 2008.
with his level of fitness and immediately set about imposing a sense of drive and vigour on the training paddock, something which many felt that the Jets had distinctly lacked in the course of their disastrous A-League title defence in 2008-09.
His return to competitive football was anticipated by fans and the media alike, and despite the Jets' shaky performance in their opening 2-0 away loss in the Asian Champions League
to Beijing Guoan
, Miličević starred in the their subsequent game, a 2-0 victory over Korea
's Ulsan Hyundai in which he marshalled the defence impressively and, along with some inspired goalkeeping by departing custodian Ante Čović
, helped the Jets to their first competitive clean sheet in fourteen games. After joining Newcastle, Miličević was adopted as a cult hero by the Newcastle fans, something not seen since Milton Rodriguez
was at the club.On 18 March 2010, Miličević signed a one-year contract extension with the Jets until the end of the 2010-2011 becoming Captain yet again and leading the team to the best defensive record in the league A-League season.
in the Swiss Super League
. However, he did not agree to terms with Basel, nor was another option pursued with German second division club Arminia Bielefeld
. He had to wait until the European summer before committing to a new deal. In March 2011, he signed a short-term contract with Victorian Premier League
club South Melbourne FC
to keep himself fit, intending to return to Europe for the beginning of the 2011/12 season.
.
and Olyroos
. After being made captain, he went to the FIFA U-20 World Cup
in Argentina
in 2001
Miličević has also been capped for Australia
. His senior debut was against Indonesia
at Subiaco Oval
, Perth
in March 2005; he then made three appearances at the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup against Germany, Argentina and Tunisia.
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Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n football (soccer) player who currently plays for Hajduk Split
HNK Hajduk Split
HNK Hajduk Split, commonly referred to as Hajduk Split or simply Hajduk, is a Croatian football club founded in 1911 and based in the city of Split. The club's home ground since 1979 is the 35,000-seater Poljud Stadium and the team's traditional home colours are white shirts with blue shorts and...
in the Prva HNL.
Early Career and Overseas
Miličević attended secondary school at St James College in East Bentleigh. His odyssey into football began at the Australian Institute of Sport wherehe Captained the side to 2 consecutive National Youth League title's. He then entered professional football with Melbourne KnightsMelbourne Knights
Melbourne Knights Football Club is a football club representing Melbourne, Australia in the Victorian Premier League . The club is one of the most successful football clubs in Australia, being a two-time championship and four-time premiership winner in the now defunct National Soccer League...
in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, playing one game in the NSL
National Soccer League
The National Soccer League is the former national association football competition in Australasia, overseen by Soccer Australia and later the Australian Soccer Association. The NSL spanned 28 seasons from its inception in 1977, until its demise in 2004...
before moving to Perth Glory
Perth Glory FC
Perth Glory Football Club is a professional football club in Perth, Western Australia, Australia, competing in Australia's top football competition the A-League. Perth Glory is one of only three clubs to survive from the now defunct National Soccer League...
in 1999, where he scored on his debut and played a major role in getting the Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
n side to its first ever NSL
National Soccer League
The National Soccer League is the former national association football competition in Australasia, overseen by Soccer Australia and later the Australian Soccer Association. The NSL spanned 28 seasons from its inception in 1977, until its demise in 2004...
Grand Final in 2000 where he made a name for himself by being the youngest player to ever score in an Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n grand final. Suffering a serious knee injury in the first game of the World Youth Cup in Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
hampered his chances of moving to German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
giants Hertha Berlin. Later that same year he finally went to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and went on to play for FC Zurich, FC Basel
FC Basel
Fussball Club Basel 1893, widely known as FC Basel is a Swiss football club based in Basel. They are one of the most successful clubs in Swiss football, having won the Swiss Super League 14 times, the third most for any Swiss club. They were most successful in the late 1960s and 1970s, winning the...
, FC Thun
FC Thun
FC Thun 1898 is a Swiss football team from the Bernese Oberland town of Thun. The club currently plays in the Swiss Super League after being promoted in the 2009/10 season. The club plays at the Arena Thun which accommodates a total of 10,300 supporters, both seated and standing...
and BSC Young Boys
BSC Young Boys
Berner Sport Club Young Boys 1898 is a Swiss sporting club based in the capital city of Bern. The name is often abbreviated to YB . Abroad, YB is often referred to as Young Boys Bern. The club's colors are yellow and black....
in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. The latter two clubs Miličević captained in the Swiss Super League
Swiss Super League
The Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
and European competition at the age of 25. He also Captained the Australian Under 20's side at the World Youth Cup in 2001 in Argentina and later the Australian Olympic Team that qualified for Athens, unfortunately he missed out due to a groin injury he sustained during qualification.
Melbourne Victory FC
On 20 February 2007 it was announced that Miličević had signed for the reigning A-LeagueA-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
champions Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory Football Club is an Australian professional football club based in Melbourne, Victoria, that plays in the A-League....
. He was not home long before he again drew interest from abroad with Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
n heavyweights Hajduk Split and Dinamo Zagreb
Dinamo Zagreb
GNK Dinamo Zagreb, commonly referred to as Dinamo Zagreb , or by their nickname Modri are a Croatian football club based in Zagreb. They play their home matches at Stadion Maksimir. They are the most successful club in Croatian football, having won thirteen Croatian championship titles, ten...
both chasing his signature. Miličević declared the only club he would ever play for in Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
would be his childhood dream team Hajduk Split, citing both the fanatical Torcida
Torcida
Torcidas organizadas are formal associations of football fans in Brazil in the same vein as Argentine hinchadas and European ultras. The name is based on the verb torcer, which means "to root for" but also "to wring" and "to turn"...
and close friend Josip Skoko
Josip Skoko
Josip Skoko is a former Australian football player who last played as a Central Midfielder for A-League club Melbourne Heart.-Early career:...
as inspirations. His time with the Victory was marred by a long-term knee injury he incurred on the opening day of the season. His contract with Melbourne Victory was "mutually terminated" on 22 February 2008.
Time Away From The Game
It was revealed during January 2009 that Milicevic had suffered from depression throughout his time playing overseas. He then started training with Dandenong City in 2009 in a bid to regain fitness and get his personal life back in order.Newcastle United Jets FC
On 4 February 2009 he signed a one-year deal with the Newcastle Jets. Miličević surprised coach Gary van EgmondGary van Egmond
Gary van Egmond is an Australian football manager of Dutch heritage who is currently the manager of Newcastle Jets in the A-League.-Playing career:Van Egmond began his playing career with APIA Leichhardt in 1982...
with his level of fitness and immediately set about imposing a sense of drive and vigour on the training paddock, something which many felt that the Jets had distinctly lacked in the course of their disastrous A-League title defence in 2008-09.
His return to competitive football was anticipated by fans and the media alike, and despite the Jets' shaky performance in their opening 2-0 away loss in the Asian Champions League
AFC Champions League
The AFC Champions League is the premier Asian club football competition hosted annually by Asian Football Confederation . The tournament is contested among the top thirty-two clubs from the top 10 Asian leagues, two of which must qualify through the playoffs...
to Beijing Guoan
Beijing Guoan
Beijing Guoan Football Club Beijing Guoan Football Club Beijing Guoan Football Club (Simplified Chinese: 北京国安 is part of CITIC Group (China International Trust and Investment Corporation). Their current home stadium is Workers Stadium and the Fengtai stadium for less popular games. The current head...
, Miličević starred in the their subsequent game, a 2-0 victory over Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
's Ulsan Hyundai in which he marshalled the defence impressively and, along with some inspired goalkeeping by departing custodian Ante Čović
Ante Covic
Ante Čović is an Australian football player. He is a goalkeeper who currently plays for Melbourne Victory in the Hyundai A-League...
, helped the Jets to their first competitive clean sheet in fourteen games. After joining Newcastle, Miličević was adopted as a cult hero by the Newcastle fans, something not seen since Milton Rodriguez
Milton Rodriguez
Milton Fabián Rodríguez Suárez is a Colombian footballer.-Club career:Rodríguez began his professional career with Cortuluá in 1997. In two years at the club the left-footed striker scored 22 goals in 45 appearances. In 1999 he moved to Independiente Santa Fe and continued his goal scoring prowess...
was at the club.On 18 March 2010, Miličević signed a one-year contract extension with the Jets until the end of the 2010-2011 becoming Captain yet again and leading the team to the best defensive record in the league A-League season.
Free Agency and South Melbourne FC
On 12 January 2011, it was announced that Milicevic was not going to re-sign for the Jets and left for Switzerland, where he trialled with former club FC BaselFC Basel
Fussball Club Basel 1893, widely known as FC Basel is a Swiss football club based in Basel. They are one of the most successful clubs in Swiss football, having won the Swiss Super League 14 times, the third most for any Swiss club. They were most successful in the late 1960s and 1970s, winning the...
in the Swiss Super League
Swiss Super League
The Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
. However, he did not agree to terms with Basel, nor was another option pursued with German second division club Arminia Bielefeld
Arminia Bielefeld
DSC Arminia Bielefeld is a German sports club from Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia. Arminia offers the sports of football, field hockey, figure skating and cue sports. The club has 11,394 members and the club colours are black, white and blue...
. He had to wait until the European summer before committing to a new deal. In March 2011, he signed a short-term contract with Victorian Premier League
Victorian Premier League
The Victorian Premier League is the highest State level association football competition in Victoria, Australia, and second highest nationally after the A-League...
club South Melbourne FC
South Melbourne FC
South Melbourne FC is a football club based in South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.Considered the most successful association football club in Australia, they have won four national championships, a string of Victorian State League titles, and represented Oceania in the 2000 FIFA Club World...
to keep himself fit, intending to return to Europe for the beginning of the 2011/12 season.
Hajduk Split
On 8 June 2011, it was announced that Miličević had signed a contract with Croatian club Hajduk SplitHNK Hajduk Split
HNK Hajduk Split, commonly referred to as Hajduk Split or simply Hajduk, is a Croatian football club founded in 1911 and based in the city of Split. The club's home ground since 1979 is the 35,000-seater Poljud Stadium and the team's traditional home colours are white shirts with blue shorts and...
.
International career
Miličević captained both the Young SocceroosAustralia national under-20 football team
The Australia national under-20 association football team, more commonly known as the Young Socceroos, is controlled by Football Federation Australia and represents Australia in international Under 20 or youth football competitions....
and Olyroos
Australia national under-23 football team
The Australia Olympic football team, more commonly known as the Olyroos, is controlled by Football Federation Australia and represents Australia at association football in the Olympic Games...
. After being made captain, he went to the FIFA U-20 World Cup
FIFA U-20 World Cup
The FIFA U-20 World Cup, until 2005 known as the FIFA World Youth Championship, is the world championship of football for male players under the age of 20 and is organized by Fédération Internationale de Football Association...
in Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
in 2001
Miličević has also been capped for Australia
Australia national football (soccer) team
The Australia national association football team represents Australia in international association football competitions. Its official nickname is the "Socceroos"...
. His senior debut was against Indonesia
Indonesia national football team
The Indonesia national football team represents Indonesia in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Indonesia . Prior to independence in 1945, the team competed as the Dutch East Indies national football team. Under this name, Indonesia was the first Asian team to...
at Subiaco Oval
Subiaco Oval
Subiaco Oval , known colloquially as Subi, is the highest capacity sports stadium in Perth, Western Australia...
, Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
in March 2005; he then made three appearances at the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup against Germany, Argentina and Tunisia.
National team statistics
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