australian association football actor

Mark Antony Viduka ( vih-DOOK-ə ; born 9 October 1975 ) [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] is an australian retire football player who played as a centre forward. He captained the Australia national team to the Round of 16 at the 2006 FIFA World Cup which remains their best always performance to date. His four goals in the UEFA Champions League are the most scored by any australian musician .

Club career [edit ]

Melbourne Knights [edit ]

In 1993, Viduka started his professional football career in Australia for Melbourne Knights ( which up until the 1993 season was known as Melbourne Croatia ) and became an australian international in June of the comply year. In his two seasons with the Knights, he was top finish scorekeeper in the National Soccer League ( NSL ) and was twice awarded the Johnny Warren Medal for NSL Best Player of the Year [ 7 ] in 1993–94 and 1994–95. His time at Melbourne Knights included one NSL title in the 1994–95 season. The grandstand at Knights ‘ Stadium, dwelling of the Knights, was renamed the “Mark Viduka Stand” in his award and paid for with his transfer money. [ 8 ]

Dinamo Zagreb [edit ]

In 1995, Viduka moved to Croatia to play with Croatia Zagreb ( now Dinamo Zagreb ). He spent three-and-a-half seasons with the club, helping it to win three doubles in Croatia between 1996 and 1998. He was besides character of the Croatia Zagreb team that reached the third base round off of the UEFA Cup in 1997 and went on to make his UEFA Champions League group stage debut with the golf club a year former. He won the Best Foreigner Footballer Award in the Croatian League in his time at Zagreb. [ 9 ]

celtic [edit ]

celtic bought Viduka in December 1998 for £ 3.5 million. In the like calendar month as his sign, Celtic announced that Viduka had quit the club without kicking a ball for them, citing stress as his reason. [ 10 ] A workweek late, Croatia Zagreb complained that it had not received the agree fee for the actor. These issues were finally resolved and Viduka made his first appearance in a celtic shirt on 16 February 1999, scoring for the under-21 team as an over-age player in a 4–2 victory against Motherwell. After making his first team debut against Dundee United on 27 February 1999, [ 11 ] his first base goals for the club came when he scored a brace against Greenock Morton in the scottish Cup on 8 March 1999. [ 12 ] He was voted Scottish Player of the year for 1999–2000 after scoring 27 goals in his first full season at Celtic Park. He was regarded as a skilled actor, with Josip Šimunić noting his ability to hold the ball up well and bring other players into the game. [ 13 ] In February 2000, lower league team Inverness Caledonian Thistle defeated Celtic in a shock upset in the third round of the scottish Cup. During half time Viduka reportedly threw his boots in the bin and refused to play in the moment half after an affray with assistant coach, Eric Black. The match ended 3–1 with celtic fans in hubbub. [ 14 ] In March 2000, Viduka assisted Celtic to win Scotland ‘s 1999-2000 Scottish League Cup. He left after his beginning full season at the club .

Leeds United [edit ]

Leeds United coach David O’Leary signed Viduka just before the 2000–01 temper for £6 million. At Leeds, he was expected to credit line up in a three-pronged attack alongside the former temper ‘s top scorer Michael Bridges and Australia teammate Harry Kewell, but injuries to those two saw him form a partnership with Alan Smith in Leeds ‘ Champions League matches, while Robbie Keane – signed on loanword from Inter Milan as top for Bridges – besides benefited in their Premier League matches in concert in the second half of the season. In his first temper, Viduka scored 22 goals, including all four in a memorable 4–3 win over Liverpool at Elland Road. He signed a five-year bargain in the summer of 2001 and would star in both domestic competitions and Europe, with Leeds finishing in the area ‘s top four in 2000–01, and one-fifth in 2001–02. In the summer of 2001, Viduka was the subject of interest from A.C. Milan, whom he supported as a child, but the affect ultimately did n’t happen, [ 15 ] and held talks with Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, but decided against moving across the Pennines to join Leeds ‘ rivals. [ 15 ] In the 2002–03 campaign, Viduka scored another 22 goals, including a hat-trick in a 6–1 gain at Charlton Athletic [ 16 ] and the achiever in a 3–2 victory at Arsenal on the penult day of the temper that efficaciously saved United from delegating. however, the cabaret ‘s fiscal crisis continued, and resulted in the sale of key players including Harry Kewell and Robbie Keane. In the 2003–04 season, Viduka was again top scorer at Leeds, finishing the season powerfully as was the case in the previous temper, as interim coach Eddie Gray attempted to steer the club away from the Premier League trap doorway following the deviation of Peter Reid in November after eight months as director. however, during his final appearance in the jersey, Leeds were relegated in a 4–1 personnel casualty to Bolton Wanderers at Reebok Stadium. After scoring a penalty, Viduka was sent off following two yellow cards. He was sold to Middlesbrough in the summer of 2004 as United ‘s fiscal difficulties deepened. [ 17 ] [ 18 ]

Middlesbrough [edit ]

Following Middlesbrough ‘s League Cup victory in 2004, the club qualified for the 2004–05 UEFA Cup. The team was bolstered with a number of high-profile signings to cope with the increased repair list and to ensure it could compete on the european stage. Viduka was signed from Leeds for £4.5 million [ 19 ] and unveiled as one of the pavilion signings of the summer. Viduka ‘s debut season at Middlesbrough was initially impressive, albeit frustrated by injuries. however, in his second season, the 2005–06 season, Viduka was in arresting form in all competitions for Middlesbrough, reaching double figures early on in the season, including a stunning volley aside at Birmingham. [ 20 ] He played an important part in helping the club reach the League Cup one-fourth concluding, FA Cup semi concluding and UEFA cup final examination. Viduka helped to spearhead a European campaign which saw the club overturn a three-goal deficit in the quarter and trailer truck final second leg of the contest to proceed to the final. Middlesbrough finally lost in the final to Sevilla on 10 May 2006, a leave which Viduka has since said took him four months to get over. In August 2006, he was awarded the number 9 shirt at Middlesbrough, his choose number at all his former clubs. Viduka ‘s third gear season at Middlesbrough was his most fecund, scoring 19 goals in all competitions. With his sign due to expire at the end of the 2006–07 season, Middlesbrough director Gareth Southgate expressed his matter to in retaining Viduka. Southgate reiterated his wish to retain Viduka ‘s services and revealed he would offer him a raw contract. Given his impressive draw for the temper, Viduka attracted matter to from a numeral of clubs who were hoping to sign him on a free transfer as he became out-of-contract. Viduka joined northeast rivals Newcastle United on a free transfer on 7 June 2007. [ 21 ] Viduka remains Middlesbrough ‘s exceed goalscorer at the Riverside, [ 22 ] and regularly features in Middlesbrough fan polls for top XI Riverside era players .

newcastle United [edit ]

Viduka warming up for Newcastle In signing for Newcastle, Viduka became director Sam Allardyce ‘s first sign at the clubhouse. His contract was for two years, with the choice of a third class. He made his newcastle debut in a Premier League equal at Bolton on 11 August and scored his first goal on 26 August against his early club Middlesbrough. On 23 September, he scored a far two goals against West Ham United to bring his tally up to three for Newcastle. On 23 December, he again scored two goals against Derby County. After an injury lay off over the new year, Viduka was brought rear into the slope by new director Kevin Keegan, where he played as separate of a 4–3–3 formation along with Michael Owen and Obafemi Martins. This new constitution brought about a variety of luck for Newcastle as the three strikers rescued them from a delegating conflict, with Viduka scoring two more goals over the rest of the season and setting up others for Martins and Owen before picking up an Achilles ‘ heel injury before the end bet on of the season. Viduka made his recurrence to the first team after six months out injured at early club Middlesbrough, coming on for Martins as a substitute on 29 November 2008. This was a great relief for director Joe Kinnear, who stated that he had previously feared the Australian ‘s career might have been prematurely ended by his injury woes. [ 23 ] Later, Kinnear suggested to reporters that Viduka might call time on his career at the end of the 2008–09 season. Viduka, however, late expressed his desire to continue playing past this season after acquiring a groin injury in former December. [ 24 ] After returning from injury, he was immediately used by newly appointed coach Alan Shearer in an try to prevent the team ‘s delegating. After playing a man of the match performance in the 3–1 victory against his former team Middlesbrough, Mark appeared to have scored his first goal of the season against Fulham. Match referee Howard Webb, however, ruled that Kevin Nolan impeded goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer disallowing the finish. He was released following Newcastle ‘s relegation .

International career [edit ]

Viduka was available to be selected to Australia, Croatia and Ukraine due to his origins, and he began his external career with Australia in a friendly series against South Africa at the old age of 18 in June 1994. [ 25 ] The first game was played in Adelaide and the irregular bet on was played in Sydney. Australia won both games 1–0. [ 26 ] He scored his first base external finish in October 1997 in the 23rd infinitesimal of a friendly game against Tunisia. [ 27 ] In 1996, Viduka joined the Olyroos as they competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics. In Australia ‘s beginning group game they lost to France 2–0. In their second group match they defeated Saudi Arabia 2–1. Viduka scored Australia ‘s irregular goal in the 63rd minute with a clever back flick past the goalkeeper. In Australia ‘s final group game Viduka made a contribution early on in the game with an assist to Aurelio Vidmar in the 3rd minute. Despite Australia ‘s early 0–2 lead, Spain made a game rejoinder and won 3–2. due to the losses to France and Spain the Olyroos did not progress further in the tournament. [ 28 ] Viduka featured in the two World Cup qualifiers against Iran in 1997. Australia failed to qualify. [ 29 ] Viduka was besides a separate of the Australia national soccer team that competed in the 1997 Confederations Cup. He scored Australia ‘s opening goal in a 3–1 succeed over Mexico in Australia ‘s first gear group game. however, in the final examination against Brazil he was sent off in the 24th moment after receiving a red poster. Australia went on to lose the meet 6–0. [ 30 ]

In 1999, Viduka featured in a friendly against Brazil. The game was played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and concluded with a 2–2 drawing card. Viduka assisted Paul Agostino with the first goal of the game. [ 31 ] He besides appeared in friendly matches against Hungary and Czech Republic in 2000. Defeating hungary 3-0 and losing to Czech Republic 3–1. [ 32 ] That lapp here Viduka once again joined the Olyroos in the 2000 Olympic Games in his home state of Australia. [ 33 ] In 2001, he played aboard Australia as they competed against Uruguay in a two leg World Cup Qualifier. Australia lost on aggregate 3–1. This mean Viduka and Australia spent another World Cup on the sidelines. [ 34 ] In 2003, Viduka scored his third base international finish in a friendly against Ireland. Australia would go on to lose the equal 2–1. [ 35 ] Viduka began captaining the Australia national team in September 2005 in place of the injured Craig Moore, the even captain. His first base game as captain was in a World Cup Qualifier against Solomon Islands in Sydney, in which Australia won 7–0. He scored 2 goals on the juncture including a dramatic bicycle-kick goal. Viduka would go on to score a one-third goal entirely to be denied a hat-trick after being ruled offside. It was his first prison term playing against a team from the Oceana region. [ 36 ] In October 2005, he continued his captainship when he led Australia to a 5-0 break down of Jamaica at Craven Cottage in a friendly plot. In the 47th hour of the game Archie Thompson crossed to Viduka, who controlled the ball, thought about appealing for handball but then had clock time to crash the ball into the internet. [ 37 ] Viduka thrived under Guus Hiddink ‘s tenure as coach of the national team and led Australia as it qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany over a two-leg modifier against Uruguay. In the irregular peg, during the first half a swift snap kick from Viduka found Harry Kewell inside the box. Kewell scuffed his shoot but the ball bounced kindly to Mark Bresciano who went on to score the finish that forced the Qualifier to go to a penalty shoot out. [ 38 ] Viduka would go on to miss his penalty, however Australia went on to win the gunfight anyhow. [ 39 ] It was the first base time in 32 years that Australia qualified to participate in the World Cup. On 21 May 2006, he was named as the australian captain for the World Cup. [ 40 ] In a lead up to the World Cup, Viduka captained Australia to friendly matches against the Netherlands and Greece. The Greece game was played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Australia won 1–0. [ 41 ] Australia ‘s game with the Netherlands ended with a 1–1 draw. After trailing 1-0 Australia earned a penalty in the second half. Viduka took the smudge recoil, only to hit the top browning automatic rifle. however Tim Cahill scored of the rebound. [ 42 ] Viduka besides led Australia ‘s national team to their first base World Cup finals victory with a 3–1 winnings over Japan in June 2006, equally well as guiding them through an meeting with Brazil, losing 2–0, and a controversial bout with Croatia, ending with a 2–2 draw. He then led Australia into the second round off, where they lost their round of 16 peer to Italy. Although a regular scorer in the Premier League, Viduka has struggled to score any significant goals for the Socceroos, and the 2006 World Cup was no unlike. Viduka considered retiring from international competition after the 2006 World Cup, citing increasing syndicate commitments as the chief argue. In September 2006, however, he confirmed that he would continue playing for Australia and intended to compete in the 2007 asian Cup. [ 43 ] In a friendly against Singapore, a week before the start of the asian Cup, Viduka scored two headed goals in a 3–0 victory for Australia ; early Leeds teammate Harry Kewell scored the third. It was the second time he scored two goals in an international match, having previously done so against the Solomon Islands in 2005. On Australia ‘s beginning always asian Cup engagement, Viduka captained the side and he scored their hermit goal against Iraq, a game which they ultimately lost 1–3. In the future match, he scored two goals against co-host team Thailand, defeating them 4–0 ; early goals scored by Michael Beauchamp and Harry Kewell and making them fall out of the remaining competition. At one stage, he led the goalscoring at the asian Cup tournament, although his team was eliminated in the quarter-finals in a penalty gunfight against Japan. Subsequent to that loss, motion marks hang over whether Viduka will continue his international career. [ 44 ] [ 45 ] Two years on from the 2007 asian Cup, he was still so far to return for the Socceroos, either stating he had injuries or club commitments. He missed World Cup Qualifiers against Qatar, Bahrain and Japan, evening though fully fit and asked to play by Socceroo director Pim Verbeek. Questions were raised over his commitment to the national team, even by other members of the team. [ 46 ] Viduka was not selected in the final police squad for the 2010 World Cup, having retired from football a class previously .

personal life [edit ]

Viduka and his wife Ivana have three sons together : Joseph ( born November 2002 ), Lucas ( bear September 2006 ) and Oliver ( born May 2008 ). [ 47 ] His forefather Joe immigrated to Australia from Croatia in the 1960s, and croatian football player and Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modrić is his cousin. [ 48 ] [ 49 ] Viduka presently lives in Zagreb, where he owns a coffee patronize and enjoys making coffee. [ 50 ] Viduka had a song written about him by English singer/songwriter and Middlesbrough fan Alistair Griffin ( who besides previously co-wrote the football song recorded by Terry Venables ). The song lyrics were written to the tune of Leonard Cohen ‘s “ Hallelujah “. [ 51 ] Middlesbrough director Gareth Southgate embraced the tune as a direction of raising money for his choose charity, Macmillan Cancer Support. Leonard Cohen gave permission for the song to be released as a charity download individual. [ 52 ] Viduka was a huge AC Milan fan as a child as he grew up watching Marco van Basten, Frank Rijkaard and Ruud Gullit. [ 53 ] Viduka has been a extremity of Melbourne City FC since its inaugural season. [ citation needed ] He is dearly referred to by his nicknames “ V-Bomber ” [ 54 ] and “ big Dukes ” [ 55 ] in Australia .

career statistics [edit ]

club [edit ]

International [edit ]

Australia
Year Apps Goals
1994 2 0
1995 0 0
1996 0 0
1997 10 2
1998 2 0
1999 0 0
2000 2 0
2001 3 0
2002 0 0
2003 3 1
2004 2 0
2005 7 3
2006 6 0
2007 6 5
Total 43 11

Honours [edit ]

golf club [edit ]

Melbourne Knights [ 57 ]
Dinamo Zagreb
Celtic

International [edit ]

Australia U20
Australia U23

individual [edit ]

References [edit ]