Danny Vukovic Explained

Danny Vukovic
Fullname:Daniel Vukovic[1]
Birth Date:27 March 1985
Birth Place:Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Height:1.87 m[2]
Position:Goalkeeper
Currentclub:Central Coast Mariners (Goalkeeping Coach)
Youthyears1:–1999
Youthclubs1:St Clair United
Youthyears2:1999–2002
Youthclubs2:Bonnyrigg White Eagles
Years1:2002–2004
Clubs1:Parramatta Power
Caps1:5
Goals1:0
Years2:2004–2005
Caps2:14
Goals2:0
Years3:2005–2010
Caps3:104
Goals3:0
Years4:2010
Clubs4:Konyaspor
Caps4:0
Goals4:0
Years5:2010–2011
Caps5:17
Goals5:1
Years6:2011–2015
Caps6:106
Goals6:0
Years7:2014
Clubs7:Vegalta Sendai (loan)
Caps7:0
Goals7:0
Years8:2015–2016
Caps8:23
Goals8:0
Years9:2016–2017
Clubs9:Sydney FC
Caps9:28
Goals9:0
Years10:2017–2021
Clubs10:Genk
Caps10:101
Goals10:0
Years11:2021–2022
Clubs11:NEC Nijmegen
Caps11:0
Goals11:0
Years12:2022–2024
Caps12:59
Goals12:0
Totalcaps:457
Totalgoals:1
Nationalyears1:2005
Nationalcaps1:4
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2006–2008
Nationalcaps2:18
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2009–2021
Nationalteam3:Australia
Nationalcaps3:4
Nationalgoals3:0
Manageryears1:2024–
Managerclubs1:Central Coast Mariners (Goalkeeping Coach)

Daniel Vukovic (; born 27 March 1985) is a former Australian professional soccer player who played as a goalkeeper. He is currently the goalkeeping coach for Central Coast Mariners FC. Vukovic also represented the Australian national team during his career. Vukovic is the holder of several A-League records: he has the most clean sheets of any goalkeeper in A-League history (103),[3] and he is the only goalkeeper to score in the A-League.

Club career

Central Coast Mariners

Vukovic has previously played for Bonnyrigg White Eagles and Parramatta Power.

Vukovic made his A-League debut for the Central Coast Mariners in September 2005 against Melbourne Victory after the team's first-choice keeper John Crawley suffered a season-ending hip injury. They lost the game 2–1, however Vukovic saved an Archie Thompson penalty and was widely praised for his debut effort. He went on to play 19 more games for the Mariners in the 2005–06 season, achieving five clean sheets, and also saved a penalty from Sydney FC's star player, Dwight Yorke.

Like many Mariners players, Vukovic spends time in schools and at local junior football games, encouraging football at a grassroots level. It was known that Vukovic had desires to play overseas, and it was revealed on 29 June he has signed with TFF First League club Konyaspor.[4]

During the third A-League Grand Final on 24 February 2008, Vukovic received a red card for slapping referee Mark Shield's hand following an alleged handball by Newcastle Jets player James Holland. On the day after the Grand Final, Football Federation Australia (FFA) gave Vukovic a 15-month ban (with 6 months suspended), meaning he would not be able to play in the A-League until 24 November 2008.

On 4 March 2008, this ban was reduced on appeal to 12 months (with 3 months suspended), meaning that if Vukovic re-offended in the following year, the 3-month suspended sentence would be activated. The ban extended to national team duty, which precluded him from competing in the 2008 Summer Olympics with the Australian U-23 team, the Olyroos, which he represented in all Olympic qualifiers for Beijing and had captained on occasion.

Vukovic's ban was appealed a second time and on 22 April 2008 Football Federation Australia announced that the appeals committee had settled on a split suspension; up to 24 June 2008 and then from 29 August through to 5 October 2008. Vukovic was also fined $10,000 and will have a further part of his sentence suspended from 6 October 2008 through to 25 January 2009.

Although Vukovic will be ineligible to play for the Mariners in the early rounds of the 2008–09 A-League season, the decision means he will be eligible for selection for the Australian Olympic team competing in Beijing.[5]

But in June, FIFA re-stated that his ban from International Competition did include a ban on competing in the Olympic Games with the Olyroos. He is banned from International football till 6 October, when the ban is suspended till 25 January 2009 subject to no further infringement up to, and including, 25 January 2009.[6]

Vukovic's 9 month ban remains the longest suspension in A-League history.[7]

Konyaspor

Vukovic signed for the Turkish club on a 2-year deal,[4] but was released on 13 August 2010 after the club found that they had too many overseas players on their books.[8]

Wellington Phoenix

After being released by Konyaspor, Vukovic signed a one-year deal for the remainder of the 2010–11 season with the Wellington outfit, largely due to an injury suffered by back-up goalkeeper Reece Crowther. He initially backed-up regular custodian Mark Paston with occasional appearances, and eventually became first-choice when Paston suffered a season ending knee injury. On 13 February, he scored the first goal of his career and the first for any keeper in the A-League for the Phoenix with a 93rd-minute penalty in the final round clash against the North Queensland Fury.[9]

Perth Glory

Vukovic signed a 3-year deal beginning in the 2011–12 season with Perth Glory. Vukovic was the number one goalkeeper at Perth and enjoyed a successful season as the club made it to their first A-League grand final, losing to Brisbane Roar.[10]

Vegalta Sendai

Vukovic joined Japanese side Vegalta Sendai on a 5-month loan deal. Vukovic but did not make an official appearance for the club, but was on the bench on numerous occasions.[11]

Melbourne Victory

On 4 June 2015, it was confirmed that Vukovic had signed a three-year deal with A-League champions & premiers Melbourne Victory, being a major replacement for departing keepers Nathan Coe and Michael Turnbull.[12] Vukovic revealed that a factor of signing the deal with the Melbourne club was that he & his wife Kristy wanted to live on the Eastern coast of Australia so that their new born child (expected in July 2015) would be raised closer to their respective families from Sydney.[13]

Vukovic agreed to end his contract with Victory after one season on compassionate grounds in July 2016.[14]

Sydney FC

On the day Vukovic parted ways with Melbourne Victory, he signed with Sydney FC on a two-year deal, stating that he made the move to be closer to his family for the sake of his son's health.[15]

Genk

On 21 June 2017, Vukovic transferred to Genk with Sydney FC receiving a club-record transfer fee of almost $1,000,000.[16] On 4 August 2017, he made his debut in a 2–1 loss to Standard Liège.[17] Vukovic made 45 appearances in all competitions during Genk's 2017–18 season and was the surprise recipient of the fan-voted Golden Shoe award for player of the season.[18] On 20 March 2021, it was announced that a contract termination was agreed, to allow Vukovic to return to Australia to support his heavily pregnant wife.[19]

NEC Nijmegen

In June 2021, Vukovic joined Eredivisie club NEC Nijmegen on a two-year contract.[20]

Return to Central Coast Mariners

Vukovic returned to Central Coast Mariners in August 2022.[21] He was named captain of the Mariners in October 2022.[22] Vukovic brought up his 300th A-League appearance in a 4-1 win over Brisbane Roar on 1 April 2023, round 22 of the 2022-23 A-League season.[23]

Vukovic captained the Mariners to the 2023 A-League Championship, with a 6–1 victory over Melbourne City in the Grand Final.

On 8 December 2023, Vukovic broke the all time record for clean sheets in A-League history, registering his 91st clean sheet in a 4-0 home victory over Western United. Later that season, on 10 March 2024, Vukovic recorded his 100th clean sheet in the A-League in a 3-0 victory away to Macarthur FC.[24]

Vukovic was captain of the Mariners' Championship, Premiership and AFC Cup winning 2023-24 season.[25] [26] [27] Vukovic's final match of his career was the A-League Grand Final against Melbourne Victory, in which the Mariners won 3-1, announcing his retirement the following day at the club's celebration event at Erina Fair.[28] It was also announced that Vukovic would be staying on with the club in a coaching capacity, taking over as goalkeeping coach.[29]

International career

Vukovic played in the Young Socceroos team which won the 2005 OFC U-20 Championship.

He played several matches for the Olyroos, however missed the 2008 Beijing Olympics through suspension.

Vukovic made his debut for the senior team on his 33rd birthday, coming on as a substitute for Brad Jones at half-time against Colombia. He gave away but then saved a penalty in the 86th minute to keep the game to a scoreless draw.[30]

In May 2018 he was named in Australia's 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.[31] Vukovic was also named in the Australian squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.[32]

Personal life

Vukovic was born on 27 March 1985 in Sydney to a Serbian family.[33] During an interview with Fox Sports regarding his new deal with Melbourne Victory, Vukovic revealed that he and his wife Kristy were expecting their first child in July 2015, stating that they wanted their child to be raised on the eastern coast of Australia, so they could be closer to their respective families, which contributed to the signing the deal with the Melbourne club.[34] His son was diagnosed with biliary atresia soon after birth, and required a liver transplant. This was a contributing factor towards moving to Sydney FC, where he would be closer to their family as well as medical support.[35]

Club statistics

ClubSeasonLeague1CupInternational2Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Parramatta Power2002–03[36] National Soccer League50000050
2003–0400000000
Total50000050
Bonnyrigg White Eagles2004–05NSW Premier League1400000140
Central Coast Mariners2005–06[37] A-League2000000200
2006–072006000260
2007–082003000230
2008–091803060270
2009–102600000260
Total1040120601220
Konyaspor2010–11Süper Lig00000000
Wellington Phoenix2010–11A-League1710000171
Perth Glory2011–12A-League3100000310
2012–132800000280
2013–142100000210
2014–152603000260
Total106030001090
Vegalta Sendai (loan)2014J1 League00200020
Melbourne Victory2015–16A-League2304030300
Sydney FC2016–17A-League2805000330
Genk2017–18Belgian First Division A3907000460
2018–1937020120510
2019–2010100020
2020–212400000240
Total10101001201230
NEC Nijmegen2021–22Eredivisie00400040
Central Coast Mariners2022–23A-League Men2900000290
2023–2400002020
Total2900020310
Career total42714002304871
1 – includes A-League final series statistics
2AFC Champions League statistics are included in season commencing during group stages (i.e. ACL 2009 and A-League season 2008–09 etc.)

International

Statistics accurate as of match played 7 June 2021.

Australia
YearAppsGoals
201830
201900
202000
202110
Total40

Honours

Central Coast Mariners

Melbourne Victory

Sydney FC

Genk

Australia

2005

Individual

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017: List of Players: Australia . FIFA . 1 . 2 July 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171222004225/https://www.fifadata.com/document/FCC/2017/PDF/FCC_2017_SQUADLISTS.PDF . 22 December 2017.
  2. Web site: 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia: List of players . FIFA . 2 . 19 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180619164139/https://tournament.fifadata.com/documents/FWC/2018/pdf/FWC_2018_SQUADLISTS.PDF . 19 June 2018 . dead.
  3. Web site: Player Statistics (Clean Sheets) :: Clean Sheets :: Ultimate A-League. Ultimatealeague.com. 11 March 2024.
  4. Web site: Vukovic has signed today. 29 June 2010. tr. 29 June 2010.
  5. http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/74587,mariners-joy-at-uturn-on-ban.aspx Mariners Joy At U-Turn On Ban – Australian FourFourTwo – The Ultimate football Website
  6. Web site: FIFA crush Vukovic's Olympic dream. Theworldgame.sbs.com.au. 14 December 2021.
  7. Web site: Thomas. Josh. The five longest suspensions in A-League history. goal.com. 19 May 2018. 3 January 2022.
  8. Web site: Danny Vukovic ile yollarımız ayrıldı. https://web.archive.org/web/20110928012445/http://www.konyaspor.org.tr/2009/haber.asp?haberID=6076. dead. 28 September 2011. 14 December 2021.
  9. Web site: News – A Leagues | KEEPUP. https://web.archive.org/web/20110706100316/http://www.a-league.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=38895. dead. 6 July 2011. Keepup.com.au. 14 December 2021.
  10. Web site: Past wrongs spur Perth Glory goalkeeper Danny Vukovic on in pursuit of A-League grand final glory . Goal.com. 14 December 2021.
  11. Web site: Glory allow Vukovic to chase Rio dream . https://archive.today/20140303210946/http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/Glory-allow-Vukovic-to-chase-Rio-dream/87425 . dead . 3 March 2014 . 3 March 2014 . .
  12. News: A-League: Melbourne Victory sign goalkeeper Danny Vukovic for three years. The Sydney Morning Herald. 4 June 2015.
  13. Web site: Victory secure Vuka as new No.1. Football Federation Australia. 4 June 2015.
  14. Web site: Danny Vukovic departs Melbourne Victory. Melbourne Victory. 19 July 2016. 19 July 2016. 17 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160817151455/http://www.melbournevictory.com.au/article/danny-vukovic-departs-melbourne-victory/1ni6b1pur808g1r4d4gsk1358v. dead.
  15. Web site: Sky Blues snare experienced keeper. Football Federation Australia. 19 July 2016.
  16. News: Sydney FC sell star goalkeeper Danny Vukovic to Belgian club Genk. Dominic. Bossi. The Sydney Morning Herald. 21 June 2017.
  17. News: Tough Genk debut for Vukovic. Ben. Somerford. FourFourTwo. 5 August 2017. 15 August 2017. 24 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180424012636/https://www.fourfourtwo.com.au/news/tough-debut-for-vukovic-470200. dead.
  18. News: Vukovic jeered after winning Genk gong. Ben. Somerford. FourFourTwo. 15 May 2018. 17 May 2018. 17 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180517224841/https://www.fourfourtwo.com.au/news/vukovic-jeered-after-winning-genk-gong-490995. dead.
  19. Web site: Genk verbreekt contract doelman Danny Vukovic zodat die bij hoogzwangere vrouw in Australië kan zijn. Nieuwsblad.be. 20 March 2021 . 14 December 2021.
  20. News: Socceroo signs for Eredivisie club: 'Difficult to explain that feeling'. 18 June 2021. 21 June 2021. FTBL.com.au.
  21. News: Socceroos keeper Vukovic in ALM return. 5 August 2022. 4 October 2022. Shayne. Hope. The Canberra Times.
  22. News: Vukovic to lead the Mariners in 22/23 as Simon takes his leave. 4 October 2022. 4 October 2022. William. Di Fulvio. NBN.
  23. News: Vukovic ready for 300th A-League Men's match. 31 March 2023. 1 April 2023. Central Coast Mariners FC.
  24. Web site: The first ever goalkeeper to reach 100 A-League clean sheets!. Central Coast Mariners. Instagram. 10 March 2024.
  25. Web site: Central Coast Mariners secure A-league Men's premier's plate with win over Adelaide United. ABC News (Australia). 2 February 2024.
  26. Web site: Central Coast Mariners become first Australian club to win AFC Cup. ABC News (Australia). 6 May 2024.
  27. Web site: Mariners defeat Victory in inspirational Grand Final showdown. Coast Community News. 27 May 2024.
  28. Web site: Central Coast Mariners captain Danny Vukovic announces retirement a day after club's historic win. ABC News (Australia). 26 May 2024.
  29. Web site: Central Coast Treble winning captain and Mariners Legend Danny Vukovic announces retirement from professional football. Central Coast Mariners FC. 26 May 2024.
  30. News: Much improved Socceroos hold their own in goalless draw with Colombia. John. Davidson. The Guardian. 27 March 2018.
  31. Web site: Revealed: Every World Cup 2018 squad – Final 23-man lists . Goal.com. 14 December 2021.
  32. Web site: Socceroos FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ squad announced. footballaustralia.com.au. 8 November 2022 . 21 December 2022.
  33. Web site: Srbi u tuđini. 26 July 2010. Sportal. sr. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140714233428/http://www.sportal.rs/news.php?news=32266. 14 July 2014.
  34. Web site: Danny Vukovic to Melbourne Victory: Perth Glory lose goalkeeper to A-League champions. Foxsports.com.au. 14 December 2021.
  35. Web site: Subscribe to The Australian . Dsf.newscorpaustralia.com. 14 December 2021.
  36. Web site: Danny Vukovic » Club matches. 27 October 2013 . worldfootball.net.
  37. Web site: Danny Vukovic (Perth Glory). Ultimate A-League.
  38. News: Central Coast Mariners skipper Danny Vukovic relishes A-League Men redemption. 4 June 2023. 5 June 2023. ABC News.
  39. Web site: Rugari . Vince . Mariners fans celebrate fairytale treble after beating Victory in thrilling grand final . The Sydney Morning Herald . 26 May 2024 . en . 25 May 2024.
  40. Web site: Victory's historic FFA Cup Final triumph. The FFA Cup. 7 November 2015. 4 August 2019.
  41. Web site: Vukovic's Genk win Belgian league title. The World Game. 17 May 2019. 4 August 2019.
  42. Web site: VUKA WINS MORE SILVERWARE. FTBL. 21 July 2019. 4 August 2019.
  43. Web site: Player Awards. Ultimateleague.com. 4 August 2019.
  44. News: Wellington Phoenix dominate PFA A-League Men team of the season. Phillip. Rollo. 16 May 2024. 17 May 2024. Stuff.co.nz.
  45. Web site: Aussies Abroad: Vukovic earns player of the season honours. 14 May 2018. Socceroos.com.au. 14 December 2021.