1996–97 Sydney United FC season

September 2025 September 2025 Sydney United FC 1996–1997 Branko Culina Ivan Simić Sydney United Sports Centre, Parramatta Stadium National Soccer League 1st (League) Runners-Up (Finals) Johnny Walker Cup First Round Waratah Cup Winners League = David Zdrilic (21) All = Ante Milicic (24) 11,614 vs. Marconi Fairfield(23 February 1997)National Soccer League 2,000 vs. Melbourne Knights(20 November 1996)National Soccer League 5,974 7–0vs. Collingwood Warriors(8 December 1996)National Soccer League 0-3 vs. Brisbane Strikers(4 January 1997)National Soccer League 1995-96 1997–98 1996–97 marked Sydney United's fourteenth season in the NSL, with Branko Culina in his third season as head coach. The club enjoyed a highly successful campaign, finishing as Premiers with a commanding 9-point lead atop the league table. Striker David Zdrilic was the league's top goalscorer, netting 21 goals during the regular season.1996–97 NSL Statistics https://www.statscrew.com/worldfootball/stats/t-SYD58072/y-1996 StatsCrew 23 August 2025 Croatian midfielder Krešimir Marušić, signed in the off-season from NK Inter Zaprešić, was awarded the prestigious Johnny Warren Medal as NSL Player of the Year for his standout performances throughout the season.October 2025 Head coach Branko Culina was also recognised, receiving the NSL Coach of the Year award for guiding United to the premiership and Grand Final.The Australian National Soccer League http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/NSLawards.shtml www.ozfootball.net 23 August 2025 In the finals series, Sydney United progressed to the NSL Grand Final after a 1–0 victory over South Melbourne in the Preliminary Final. However, they were defeated 2–0 by Brisbane Strikers in the Grand Final, which was held at Suncorp Stadium before a then-NSL record crowd of 40,446.1997 NSL Playoff Results http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/Playoff.html OzFootball 23 August 2025 Sydney United also claimed silverware in the Waratah Cup, defeating Parramatta Eagles 2–1 in the final, with Ante Milicic scoring both goals. Their run in the Johnny Walker Cup was short-lived, as they were eliminated in the Round of 16 by Sydney Olympic.National Soccer League - 1996/97 Season results http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/NSLCup.html www.ozfootball.net 23 August 2025Waratah Cup - 1996 Results http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/NSW/1996/1996Cup.html www.ozfootball.net 23 August 2025Nimac Ivan Dužević Šime Lozina Leonard Nimac Tony More Than The Game: 50 Years of Sydney United 2008 Sydney United Edensor Park 978-0-646-50046-1 194–200 1st Sydney United also won the National Youth League Northern Division Grand Final, defeating Marconi Fairfield 1-0, thanks to a Tony Krslovic goal.National Youth League Northern Division - 1996/7 Results http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NYL/9697/NorthP.html www.ozfootball.net 20 September 2025 Players Sydney United's Match Day: Sydney United vs UTS Olympic 10 November 1996 Sydney United Edensor Park 14 1996-97Sydney United's Match Day: Sydney United vs South Melbourne 9 February 1997 Sydney United Edensor Park 15 1996-97 1 AUS GK Zeljko Kalac 2 AUS DF Robert Trajkovski 3 CRO DF Velimir Kuprešak 4 AUS DF Tony Popovic Captain 5 AUS DF Mark Babic Captain 6 AUS MF Robert Enes 7 CRO MF Damir Cvetko 8 AUS MF Ante Moric 9 AUS MF Robert Markovac 10 AUS FW Ante Milicic 11 CRO MF Krešimir Marušić 12 AUS MF Aytek Genc 14 AUS FW David Zdrilic 15 AUS MF Jason Culina 17 AUS DF Paul Bilokapic 18 AUS MF Richard Pleša 19 AUS FW Tony Krslovic 20 AUS GK Peter Blazincic 21 AUS DF Marko Rudan 22 AUS MF Jacob Burns 23 AUS DF Chad Gibson 24 AUS MF Dean Culina 25 AUS DF Tom Marić 26 CRO DF Ante Šerić 27 AUS MF John Didulica 28 AUS MF Ante Deur 30 AUS GK John Perosh 31 AUS GK Andrew Crews AUS DF Joe Vrkic Transfers in n y 1 GK AUS Zeljko Kalac 1972 12 16 1996 10 1 Leicester City ENG Transfer Pre-season Free Zeljko Kalac https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe819/zeljko-kalac/ worldfootball.net 23 August 2025 enAussie Footballers - Kadicek to Karkaletsis http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Players/KAD.html#ZeljkoKalac www.ozfootball.net 26 August 2025 7 MF CRO Krešimir Marušić 1969 11 23 1996 10 1 Inter Zaprešić CRO Transfer Pre-season Free Krešimir Marušić https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe81960/kresimir-marusic/ worldfootball.net 23 August 2025 en 11 MF CRO Damir Cvetko 1968 06 27 1996 10 1 NK Varaždin CRO Transfer Pre-season Free Damir Cvetko https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe108609/damir-cvetko/ worldfootball.net 23 August 2025 en 19 DF AUS Joe Vrkic 1973 08 18 1995 07 1 Wollongong City AUS Transfer Pre-season Free Joe Vrkic https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe100040/joe-vrkic/ worldfootball.net 20 May 2025 en1996 National Soccer League results http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/Round03.html www.ozfootball.net 21 August 2025Joe Vrkic world football Statistics on StatsCrew.com https://www.statscrew.com/worldfootball/stats/p-vrkicjoe001 www.statscrew.com enAussie Footballers - Vidaic to Vukovic http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Players/VID.html#JoeVrkic www.ozfootball.net 23 August 2025 20 GK AUS Peter Blazincic 1969 05 20 1996 10 1 West Adelaide Sharks AUS Transfer Pre-season Free Australia Soccer 1996-1997 National Soccer League Media Guide 1996 Soccer Australia 32–33 1996-1997 27 MF AUS John Didulica 1975 07 03 1995 07 1 North Geelong Warriors AUS Transfer Pre-season Free John Didulica https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe111034/john-didulica/ worldfootball.net 26 August 2025 en FW AUS Tony Krslovic 1969 07 14 1996 10 1 Leichhardt Tigers AUS Transfer Pre-season Free NSW Superleague - 1996 Season results http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/NSW/1996/1996SLR2.html www.ozfootball.net 26 August 2025Aussie Footballers - Kowalski to Kyriazopoulos http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Players/KOW.html#TonyKrslovic www.ozfootball.net 26 August 2025 August 2025 Transfers out n y 13 MF AUS Jim Patikas 1963 10 18 1996 10 01 UTS Olympic AUS End of Contract Pre-season Free Jimmy Patikas https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe99936/jimmy-patikas/ worldfootball.net 23 August 2025 en 15 FW AUS Zeljko Babic 1976 04 03 1996 10 01 Marconi Fairfield AUS End of Contract Pre-season Free Željko Babić https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe99697/zeljko-babic/ worldfootball.net 23 August 2025 enAussie Footballers - Babalj to Balomenos http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Players/BAB.html#ZeljkoBabic www.ozfootball.net 26 August 2025 16 FW PNG Manis Lamond 1966 09 14 1996 10 01 Wollongong City AUS End of Contract Pre-season Free Manis Lamond https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe101552/manis-lamond/ worldfootball.net 23 August 2025 enManis Lamond stats https://www.statscrew.com/worldfootball/stats/p-lamonman001 Stats Crew 23 August 2025 22 MF AUS Mirko Jurilj 1973 11 04 1996 05 30 Rockdale City Suns AUS End of Contract Pre-season Free Cooper David Super Soccer February 1996 Idea Media Services NSW 8 1Mirko Jurilj https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe107970/mirko-jurilj/ worldfootball.net 23 August 2025 en August 2025 Mid-Season Losses n y 4 DF AUS Tony Popovic 1973 07 04 1996 12 30 Sanfrecce Hiroshima JAP Transfer Mid-season Tony Popovic https://www.statscrew.com/worldfootball/stats/p-popovton001 Stats Crew 23 August 2025Tony Popovic https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe2741/tony-popovic/ worldfootball.net 23 August 2025 en 22 September 2024 19 DF AUS Joe Vrkic 1976 08 31 1996 12 23 Collingwood Warriors AUS Loan Mid-season Free Joe Vrkic https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe100040/joe-vrkic/ worldfootball.net 20 May 2025 en1996 National Soccer League results http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/Round03.html www.ozfootball.net 21 August 2025Joe Vrkic world football Statistics on StatsCrew.com https://www.statscrew.com/worldfootball/stats/p-vrkicjoe001 www.statscrew.com en August 2025 Competitions Overview 5 National Soccer League 13 October 1996 20 April 1997 Matchday 1 Winners 17 5 4 67 33 Final Series 3 May 1997 55 May 1995 Major Semi-Final Runners Up 2 0 2 3 4 Johnny Walker Cup 6 September 1996 10 September 1996 Round of 16 Round of 16 0 0 2 0 2 Waratah Cup 3 September 1996 22 September 1996 Round 6 Winners 4 0 0 10 2 complete National Soccer League League table SYD Matches 1 13 October 1996 Sydney United 3–3 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/Round01.html Wollongong City Zdrilic 9 M.Babic 37 Milicic 81 Horsley 7 52 Sevin 15 Sydney United Sports Centre Edensor Park, New South Wales 4,085 Matthew Breeze D 2 20 October 1996 South Melbourne 1–3 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/Round02.html Sydney United Orlic 47 Marušić 24 Zdrilic 37 40 Lakeside Stadium Melbourne, Victoria 8,668 B Panella W 3 6 November 1996 Sydney United 3—1 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/Round03.html Melbourne Knights Kuprešak 58 Zdrilic 76 Cvetko 90+2 Kutlesovski 51 Sydney United Sports Centre Edensor Park, New South Wales 2,000 Eugene Brazzale W 4 2 November 1996 Marconi Fairfield 0–3 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/Round04.html Sydney United Zdrilic 48 Moric 50 Cvetko 81 Marconi Stadium Bossley Park, New South Wales 8,952 Eddie Lennie W 5 10 November 1996 Sydney United 2–1 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/Round05.html UTS Olympic Popovic 60 82 (pen) Sorras 65 Sydney United Sports Centre Edensor Park, New South Wales 11,381 Shaun Micallef W 6 17 November 1996 West Adelaide Sharks 2—3 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/Round06.html Sydney United Cardozo 60 Slager 89 Zdrilic 21 Babic 39 Milicic 76 Hindmarsh Stadium Hindmarsh, South Australia 4,703 Eddie Lennie W 7 23 November 1996 Sydney United 4–2 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/Round07.html Perth Glory Kuprešak 36 Zdrilic 38 Marušić 43 Milicic 61 Strudwick 11 Kalogeracos 73 Sydney United Sports Centre Edensor Park, New South Wales 3,450 Con Diomis W 8 30 November 1996 Canberra Cosmos 1–3 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/Round08.html Sydney United Dee 23 Milicic 34 Rudan 57 Zdrilic 82 Bruce Stadium Bruce, Australian Capital Territory 3,500 W Dade W 9 8 December 1996 Sydney United 7–0 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/Round09.html Collingwood Warriors Zdrilic 13 16 38 80 Rudan 42 Moric 56 Milicic 89 Sydney United Sports Centre Edensor Park, New South Wales 5,451 Brett Hugo W 10 14 December 1996 Gippsland Falcons 1–2 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/round10.html Sydney United Masi 57 Enes 28 Milicic 84 Falcons Park Morwell, Victoria 2,579 Gerry Connelly W 11 20 December 1996 Newcastle Breakers 3–1 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/round11.html Sydney United Pryce 68 Zane 70 Bennett 74 Milcic 54 Breakers Stadium Newcastle, New South Wales 4,225 Matthew Breeze L 12 29 December 1996 Sydney United 1–1 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/round12.html Adelaide City Armour (og) 74 Hassell 41 Sydney United Sports Centre Edensor Park, New South Wales 5,195 Eugene Brazzale D 13 4 January 1997 Brisbane Strikers 3–0 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/round13.html Sydney United Brown 5 Farina 33 Battistin 90 Suncorp Stadium Brisbane, Queensland 13,121 Gerry Connelly L 14 12 January 1997 Sydney United 4-0 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/round14.html Brisbane Strikers Milicic 13 84 Genc 21 Zdrilic 88 Parramatta Stadium Parramatta, New South Wales 10,560 Shaun Micallef W 15 2 February 1997 Wollongong City 1–4 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/Round15.html Sydney United Surjan 83 Milicic 17 24 88 van Egmond (og) 68 Brandon Park Fairy Meadow, New South Wales 10,158 Mark Shields W 16 9 February 1997 Sydney United 2–0 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/round16.html South Melbourne Trajkovski 27 Zdrilic 34 Sydney United Sports Centre Edensor Park, New South Wales 4,500 Gerry Connelly W 17 16 February 1997 Melbourne Knights 1–1 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/round17.html Sydney United A.Cervinski 90 Enes 10 Somers St Stadium North Sunshine, Victoria 5,935 Eddie Lennie D 18 23 February 1997 Sydney United 1–3 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/round18.html Marconi Fairfield Zdrilic 18 Z.Babic 16 Harper 65 75 Parramatta Stadium Parramatta, New South Wales 11,614 Shaun Micallef L 19 2 March 1997 UTS Olympic 1–1 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/round19.html Sydney United Trajanovski 87 (pen) Milicic 26 Belmore Sports Ground Belmore, New South Wales 7,924 Mark Shields D 20 10 March 1997 Sydney United 4–0 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/round20.html West Adelaide Sharks Moric 25 Milicic 36 49 Zdrilic 75 Sydney United Sports Centre Edensor Park, New South Wales 4,728 Matthew Breeze W 21 15 March 1997 Perth Glory 3-1 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/round21.html Sydney United Kalogeracos 30 65 Wingell 24 Enes 47 Perth Oval Perth, Western Australia 11,644 Gerry Connelly L 22 23 March 1997 Sydney United 7–2 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/round22.html Canberra Cosmos Zdrilic 3 49 67 89 Moric 38 Kuprešak 46 Genc 73 Markovski 39 Mazis 40 Sydney Croatian Sports Centre Edensor Park, New South Wales 4,026 Mark Shields W 23 31 March 1997 Collingwood Warriors 2–3 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/round23.html Sydney United Di Iorio 15 Vlahos 56 Enes 25 Milicic 69 Zdrilic 88 Olympic Park Melbourne, Victoria 1,700 Gerry Connelly W 24 6 April 1997 Sydney United 1–0 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/round24.html Gippsland Falcons Milicic 71 Sydney United Sports Centre Edensor Park, New South Wales 5,501 G Leverton W 25 13 April 1997 Sydney United 2–0 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/round25.html Newcastle Breakers Milicic 49 Marušić 75 Sydney United Sports Centre Edensor Park, New South Wales 5,179 Eddie Lennie W 26 20 April 1997 Adelaide City 1–1 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/round26.html Sydney United Brooks 23 Genc 71 Hindmarsh Stadium Hindmarsh, South Australia 8,753 Brett Hugo D NSL Final Series Major Semi-Final - 1st Leg 3 May 1997 Brisbane Strikers 1–0 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/Playoff.html Sydney United S.Cranney 62 Suncorp Stadium Brisbane, Queensland 14,666 Eddie Lennie L Elimination Final - 2nd Leg 11 May 1997 Sydney United 2–1 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/Playoff.html Brisbane Strikers J.Culina 25 Marušić 35 Knipe 77 Parramatta Stadium Parramatta, New South Wales 7,127 Eugene Brazzale W Preliminary Final 18 May 1997 Sydney United 1–0 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/Playoff.html South Melbourne Milicic 66 Parramatta Stadium Parramatta, New South Wales 8,059 Brett Hugo W Grand Final 25 May 1997 Brisbane Strikers 2–0 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/Playoff.html Sydney United Farina 47 Brown 69 Suncorp Stadium Brisbane, Queensland 40,446 Shaun Micallef L Johnny Walker Cup Round of 16 1st Leg 6 September 1996 Sydney United 0–1 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/NSLCup.html UTS Olympic Tome 77 Sydney United Sports Centre Edensor Park, New South Wales Brett Hugo L Round of 16 2nd Leg 10 September 1996 UTS Olympic 1–0 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/NSLCup.html Sydney United Tome 65 Sydney United Sports Centre Edensor Park, New South Wales Shaun Micallef L Waratah Cup Waratah Cup Sixth Round 3 September 1996 Sydney United 1-0 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/NSW/1996/1996Cup.html Canberra Cosmos Sydney United Sports Centre Edensor Park, New South Wales W Waratah Cup Seventh Round September 1996 Sydney United 4-0 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/NSW/1996/1996Cup.html Highfields Wolves Milicic Zdrilic Sydney United Sports Centre Edensor Park, New South Wales W Waratah Cup Semi-Finals 15 September 1996 Marconi Fairfield 1-3 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/NSW/1996/1996Cup.html Sydney United Harper 38 Zdrilic 30 Markovac 32 C.Gibson 50 Melita Stadium South Granville, New South Wales 1,149 Brett Hugo W Waratah Cup Final 22 September 1996 Sydney United 2-1 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/NSW/1996/1996Cup.html Parramatta Eagles Milicic 83 107 Harding 12 Sydney United Sports Centre Edensor Park, New South Wales 2,896 Shaun Micallef W Statistics Appearances and goals Players with no appearances not included in the list.The Australian National League http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/NSL.html www.ozfootball.net 23 August 2025National Soccer League - 1996/97 Season results http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/NSLCup.html www.ozfootball.net 23 August 2025Sydney United Page http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSLclubs/SU9697.html www.ozfootball.net 23 August 2025Waratah Cup - 1996 Results http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/NSW/1996/1996Cup.html www.ozfootball.net 23 August 20251996-97 Sydney United Pumas Statistics https://www.statscrew.com/worldfootball/stats/t-SYD58072/y-1996 Stats Crew 23 August 20251997 National Soccer League Playoff results http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/Playoff.html www.ozfootball.net 23 August 2025 No.Pos.Nat.NameNational Soccer LeagueFinal SeriesJohhny Walker CupWaratah CupTotal1 GK AUS Zeljko Kalac 1 260300000290 2 DF AUS Robert Trajkovski 251400000291 3 DF CRO Velimir Kuprešak 1 223402020303 5 DF AUS Mark Babic 242300000272 6 MF AUS Robert Enes 224301020284 7 MF CRO Krešimir Marušić 243410000284 8 MF AUS Ante Moric 234402000294 9 MF AUS Robert Markovac 133002021174 10 FW AUS Ante Milicic 26184120353524 11 MF CRO Damir Cvetko 202200000222 12 DF AUS Aytek Genc 113200000133 14 FW AUS David Zdrilic 26214020323523 15 MF AUS Jason Culina 123312020194 17 DF AUS Paul Bilokapic 220402020300 18 MF AUS Richard Pleša 1 6020000080 19 FW AUS Tony Krslovic 1000000010 20 GK AUS Peter Blazincic 0000102030 21 DF AUS Marko Rudan 152102000182 22 MF AUS Jacob Burns soccer 4010002070 23 DF AUS Chad Gibson 60002021101 24MF AUS Dean Culina 1 3000102060 25DF AUS Tom Marić 1 0000100010 27DF AUS John Didulica 1 3010000040 30GK AUS John Perosh 1 0010101030 28MF AUS Ante Deur 1 0000102030 Players who left during the season4 MF AUS Tony Popovic 7200000072 19DF AUS Joe Vrkic 1 2000201050 References 1996–97 Category:1996–97 National Soccer League (Australia) by team Category:1996 in sport in Sydney Category:1997 in sport in Sydney