Ruben Zadkovich
Encyclopedia
Ruben Zadkovich is an Australian football (soccer)
player who attended Woonona High School in Wollongong NSW and currently plays for the Newcastle United Jets
in the Hyundai A-League.
club Notts County
, scoring on his debut against Chester City, as well as Queens Park Rangers
and Australian side Wollongong Wolves
. He has also made several appearances for the Young Socceroos, most notably at the FIFA World Youth Championship.
. He travelled with the squad to the FIFA Club World Championship and despite not making an appearance he impressed coach Littbarski
, being called in as a short-term replacement for injured Ufuk Talay
late in the season. After a 12 minute debut off the bench against Queensland Roar, Zadkovich impressed with his first start against Perth Glory (which included a goal), playing one game in Sydney's run to the inaugural A-League
championship, earning him a two year full-time contract. He was allowed to leave the club in March 2008.
, although his registration was unable to be completed before 1 July. Zadkovich made his Derby debut as a second half substitute against Norwich City at Pride Park in October 2008, in a match which Derby won 3–1. He struggled with injuries during his time at Derby and, after only 7 appearances for the club, cancelled his contract by mutual consent on 23 January 2010.
that would see him return to play his football in Australia.
, at ANZ Stadium on 22 June 2008. Australia lost this match 1–0, with Zadkovich giving away a penalty
in the second half.
Zadkovich took part in the 2008 Olympics as part of Australia's national team (Olyroos). He scored from close range in a 1–1 draw with Serbia
, Australia's only goal in an unsuccessful campaign. He also played against Argentina in what was Australia's best performance of the tournament.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player who attended Woonona High School in Wollongong NSW and currently plays for the Newcastle United Jets
Newcastle United Jets
Newcastle United Jets Football Club is a professional football club based in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. The club competes in the A-League and plays its home games at Ausgrid Stadium . The Jets have won one A-League championship, defeating arch rivals the 1–0 in the 2007–08 Grand Final...
in the Hyundai A-League.
Club career
Zadkovich had previously played for Football League TwoFootball League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
club Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
, scoring on his debut against Chester City, as well as Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
and Australian side Wollongong Wolves
Wollongong Wolves
The South Coast Wolves Football Club is an Australian Association football club based in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia currently playing in the NSW Premier League.The club was formed in 2009 as a not for profit organisation, run and owned by the community since the financial...
. He has also made several appearances for the Young Socceroos, most notably at the FIFA World Youth Championship.
Sydney FC
Following his time in England, Zadkovich returned to Australia in late 2005 and trialled for Sydney FCSydney FC
Sydney FC is a professional football club based in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and competes in the country's premier football competition, the A-League...
. He travelled with the squad to the FIFA Club World Championship and despite not making an appearance he impressed coach Littbarski
Pierre Littbarski
Pierre Michael Littbarski is a German football manager and former player. He was mainly a winger or attacking midfielder and is best known for his brilliant dribbling abilities. He was a FIFA World Cup winner with West Germany in 1990. He was also runner–up twice in 1982 and 1986 with West Germany...
, being called in as a short-term replacement for injured Ufuk Talay
Ufuk Talay
Ufuk Talay is an Australian football player who plays for Sydney United FC. Talay is suited to play in central midfield and is known for his good distribution and on-field vision.-Club career:...
late in the season. After a 12 minute debut off the bench against Queensland Roar, Zadkovich impressed with his first start against Perth Glory (which included a goal), playing one game in Sydney's run to the inaugural A-League
A-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...
championship, earning him a two year full-time contract. He was allowed to leave the club in March 2008.
Derby
On 17 April 2008, it was revealed Zadkovich had signed a two year deal with English club Derby CountyDerby 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...
, although his registration was unable to be completed before 1 July. Zadkovich made his Derby debut as a second half substitute against Norwich City at Pride Park in October 2008, in a match which Derby won 3–1. He struggled with injuries during his time at Derby and, after only 7 appearances for the club, cancelled his contract by mutual consent on 23 January 2010.
Newcastle United Jets
On 6 April 2010, Zadkovich confirmed that he had penned a three-year contract with the Newcastle JetsNewcastle United Jets
Newcastle United Jets Football Club is a professional football club based in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. The club competes in the A-League and plays its home games at Ausgrid Stadium . The Jets have won one A-League championship, defeating arch rivals the 1–0 in the 2007–08 Grand Final...
that would see him return to play his football in Australia.
International career
Zadkovich made his debut at right-back in the last home game of 1st round 2010 World Cup Qualifications, against ChinaChina national football team
The China PR national football team is the national association football team of the People's Republic of China and is governed by the Chinese Football Association...
, at ANZ Stadium on 22 June 2008. Australia lost this match 1–0, with Zadkovich giving away a penalty
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
in the second half.
Zadkovich took part in the 2008 Olympics as part of Australia's national team (Olyroos). He scored from close range in a 1–1 draw with Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
, Australia's only goal in an unsuccessful campaign. He also played against Argentina in what was Australia's best performance of the tournament.