2002–03 Sydney United FC season

July 2025 July 2025 Sydney United FC 2002–03 Branko Culina (Rounds 1-17); Tony Krslovic & Tony Pezzano (Rounds 18-26) John Jedinak/Peter Gašparović Sydney United Sports Centre National Soccer League 8th (League) Brendon Santalab (6) 5,352 vs. Northern Spirit(20 October 2002)National Soccer League 2,021 vs. Perth Glory(26 January 2003)National Soccer League 3,409 2–0vs. Newcastle United(29 September 2002)National Soccer League 2-0 vs. Marconi Stallions(1 December 2002)National Soccer League 2-0vs. Melbourne Knights(22 February 2003)National Soccer League 3-1 vs. Brisbane Strikers(15 March 2003)National Soccer League 0–3 vs. Parramatta Power(8 December 2002)National Soccer League 0–3 vs. Brisbane Strikers(15 December 2002)National Soccer League 1–4 vs. Newcastle United(20 December 2002National Soccer League 2001–02 2003–04 The 2002-03 season marked Sydney United's twentieth campaign in the NSL. The team finished 8th on the table, missing out on the final series. Branko Culina retained his position for the season, but a series of poor results mid-season saw Culina leave the club, replaced by former player Tony Krslovic and Tony Pezzano as joint managers for the rest of the season.Nimac Ivan Dusevic Sime Lozina Leonard Nimac Tony More Than a Game: 50 Years of Sydney United 2008 Sydney United Sydney, NSW, Australia 978-0-646-50046-1 231–234 First Edition 2008 Some notable player signings included four imports who were goalkeeper Vanja Iveša and defender Božidar Čačić from NK Novalja and NK Rijeka in Croatia, defender Boris Pavić from NK Čelik Zenica in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and also midfielder Slavomír Lukáč from FC Nitra in Slovakia. Brendon Santalab finished top goalscorer for the season with six goals.Nimac Ivan Dusevic Sime Lozina Leonard Nimac Tony More Than a Game: 50 Years of Sydney United 2008 Sydney United Sydney, NSW, Australia 978-0-646-50046-1 231–234 First Edition 2008 Players Sydney United .:. Player Profiles http://www.sydneyunited.com.au/SquadPlayers.aspx www.sydneyunited.com.au 23 April 2026 16 April 2003 https://web.archive.org/web/20030416191534/http://www.sydneyunited.com.au/SquadPlayers.aspx bot: unknown 1 CRO GK Vanja Iveša 2 CRO DF Božidar Čačić 3 CRO DF Boris Pavić 4 AUS DF Paul Bilokapic Captain 5 AUS DF David Barrett 6 AUS MF Nahuel Arrarte 7 SVK MF Slavomír Lukáč 8 AUS MF Mile Jedinak 9 AUS FW Željko Babic 10 AUS MF Petar Markovic 11 AUS FW Christian Cevenini 12 AUS DF Damon Collina 14 AUS DF Michael Šantalab 15 AUS MF Louis Brain 16 SOL FW Commins Menapi 17 AUS MF Michael Cunico 19 AUS FW Brendon Šantalab 20 AUS GK John Perosh 23 AUS MF Anthony Doumanis 24 AUS FW Milan Bosnar 25 AUS MF Ante Deur 26 AUS DF Marko Rudan 27 AUS DF Matthew Clowes AUS FW Jon Angelucci AUS DF Michael Cindrić AUS Christopher Cop AUS MF Gabriel Mendez AUS MF Vince Savoca AUS MF Daniel Watkins Transfers in n y 1 GK CRO Vanja Iveša 1977 07 21 2002 09 22 NK Novalja CRO Transfer Pre-season Free Australia Soccer National Soccer League Media Guide 2000/2001 Australian Sports Publications Sydney 98 2000-01Vanja Iveša https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe24071/vanja-ivesa/ worldfootball.net 25 July 2025 enAustralia Soccer NSL Season Guide 2002/2003 October 2002 Soccer Australia & Kreations Online Homebush Bay, NSW 110 2002-03Nimac Ivan Dusevic Sime Lozina Leonard Nimac Tony More Than a Game: 50 Years of Sydney United 2008 Sydney United Sydney, NSW, Australia 978-0-646-50046-1 231 First Edition 2008 2 DF CRO Božidar Čačić 1972 6 18 2002 09 22 NK Rijeka CRO Transfer Pre-season Free Nimac Ivan Dusevic Sime Lozina Leonard Nimac Tony More Than a Game: 50 Years of Sydney United 2008 Sydney United Sydney, NSW, Australia 978-0-646-50046-1 231 First Edition 2008Božidar Čačić https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe108577/bozidar-cacic/ worldfootball.net 25 July 2025 enAustralia Soccer NSL Season Guide 2002/2003 October 2002 Soccer Australia & Kreations Online Homebush Bay, NSW 110 2002-03 3 DF CRO Boris Pavić 1973 12 04 2002 09 22 NK Čelik Zenica BIH Transfer Pre-season Free Australia Soccer National Soccer League Media Guide 2000/2001 Australian Sports Publications Sydney 98 2000-01Boris Pavić https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe110994/boris-pavic/ worldfootball.net 25 July 2025 enAustralia Soccer NSL Season Guide 2002/2003 October 2002 Soccer Australia & Kreations Online Homebush Bay, NSW 110 2002-03Nimac Ivan Dusevic Sime Lozina Leonard Nimac Tony More Than a Game: 50 Years of Sydney United 2008 Sydney United Sydney, NSW, Australia 978-0-646-50046-1 231 First Edition 2008 5 DF AUS David Barrett 1969 02 21 2002 09 22 Parramatta Power AUS Transfer Pre-season Free David Barrett https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe101590/david-barrett/ worldfootball.net 25 July 2025 enAustralia Soccer NSL Season Guide 2002/2003 October 2002 Soccer Australia & Kreations Online Homebush Bay, NSW 110 2002-03Nimac Ivan Dusevic Sime Lozina Leonard Nimac Tony More Than a Game: 50 Years of Sydney United 2008 Sydney United Sydney, NSW, Australia 978-0-646-50046-1 232 First Edition 2008 7 MF SVK Slavomír Lukáč 1980 08 12 2002 09 22 FC Nitra SVK Transfer Pre-season Free Nimac Ivan Dusevic Sime Lozina Leonard Nimac Tony More Than a Game: 50 Years of Sydney United 2008 Sydney United Sydney, NSW, Australia 978-0-646-50046-1 227 First Edition 2008Slavomír Lukáč https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe78695/slavomir-lukac/ worldfootball.net 25 July 2025 enAustralia Soccer NSL Season Guide 2002/2003 October 2002 Soccer Australia & Kreations Online Homebush Bay, NSW 110 2002-03 15 MF AUS Louis Brain 1982 05 09 2002 09 22 Adelaide City Force AUS Transfer Pre-season Free Louis Brain https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe65917/louis-brain/ worldfootball.net 25 July 2025 enAustralia Soccer NSL Season Guide 2002/2003 October 2002 Soccer Australia & Kreations Online Homebush Bay, NSW 110 2002-03Nimac Ivan Dusevic Sime Lozina Leonard Nimac Tony More Than a Game: 50 Years of Sydney United 2008 Sydney United Sydney, NSW, Australia 978-0-646-50046-1 232 First Edition 2008 12 MF AUS Damon Collina 1978 09 13 2002 09 22 Olympic Sharks AUS Transfer Pre-season Free Damon Collina https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe108597/damon-collina/ worldfootball.net 25 July 2025 enAustralia Soccer NSL Season Guide 2002/2003 October 2002 Soccer Australia & Kreations Online Homebush Bay, NSW 110 2002-03Nimac Ivan Dusevic Sime Lozina Leonard Nimac Tony More Than a Game: 50 Years of Sydney United 2008 Sydney United Sydney, NSW, Australia 978-0-646-50046-1 232 First Edition 2008 23 MF AUS Anthony Doumanis 1982 02 01 2002 09 22 Olympic Sharks AUS Transfer Pre-season Free Anthony Doumanis https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe100062/anthony-doumanis/ worldfootball.net 25 July 2025 enAustralia Soccer NSL Season Guide 2002/2003 October 2002 Soccer Australia & Kreations Online Homebush Bay, NSW 110 2002-03Nimac Ivan Dusevic Sime Lozina Leonard Nimac Tony More Than a Game: 50 Years of Sydney United 2008 Sydney United Sydney, NSW, Australia 978-0-646-50046-1 232 First Edition 2008 26 DF AUS Marko Rudan 1975 08 27 2002 09 22 Nanjing Yoyo CHN Transfer Pre-season Free Mark Rudan https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe41085/mark-rudan/ worldfootball.net 25 July 2025 enShanghaiist: The Aussies are Coming: Shenhua v Sydney FC http://www.shanghaiist.com/archives/2007/03/06/the_aussies_are.php www.shanghaiist.com https://web.archive.org/web/20070323051557/http://www.shanghaiist.com/archives/2007/03/06/the_aussies_are.php 25 July 2025 23 March 2007 Nimac Ivan Dusevic Sime Lozina Leonard Nimac Tony More Than a Game: 50 Years of Sydney United 2008 Sydney United Sydney, NSW, Australia 978-0-646-50046-1 232 First Edition 2008 March 2025 Transfers out n y 4 MF AUS Aytek Genc 1963 09 01 2002 05 31 Retirement Pre-season Free Aytek Genc https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe99782/aytek-genc/ worldfootball.net 25 July 2025 en 11 MF CRO Željko Kopić 1977 09 10 2002 09 22 Hrvatski Dragovoljac CRO Transfer Pre-season Free Željko Kopić https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe111192/zeljko-kopic/ worldfootball.net 25 July 2025 en 14 MF AUS Goran Talevski 1982 05 20 2002 09 22 Marconi Stallions AUS End of Contract Pre-season Free Goran Talevski https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe51533/goran-talevski/ worldfootball.net 25 July 2025 en 8 MF AUS Ante Moric 1974 04 19 2002 05 31 Fraser Park Jets AUS End of Contract Pre-season Free Ante Moric https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe99885/ante-moric/ worldfootball.net 25 July 2025 en 24 DF AUS Sebastian Sinozić 1978 09 14 2002 07 01 St George FC AUS End of Contract Pre-season Free Sebastian Sinozic https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe110969/sebastian-sinozic/ worldfootball.net 25 July 2025 en 30 GK AUS John Karoubas 1979 07 16 2002 05 31 Free agent End of Contract Pre-season Free John Karoubas https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe111181/john-karoubas/ worldfootball.net 25 July 2025 en 27 GK AUS Vilson Knežević 1975 10 19 2002 09 22 Free agent End of Contract Pre-season Free Vilson Knežević https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe107967/vilson-knezevic/ worldfootball.net 25 July 2025 en 4 DF AUS Elvis Olic 1981 03 22 2002 05 31 Free agent End of Contract Pre-season Free Elvis Olic https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe110819/elvis-olic/ worldfootball.net 25 July 2025 en 26 MF AUS Ivan Zelic 1978 02 24 2002 09 22 Free agent End of Contract Pre-season Free Ivan Zelić https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe108353/ivan-zelic/ worldfootball.net 25 July 2025 en May 2025 Mid-Season Gains n y 9 FW AUS Željko Babic 1976 04 03 2003 01 01 Wollongong City Wolves AUS Transfer Mid-season Free Nimac Ivan Dusevic Sime Lozina Leonard Nimac Tony More Than a Game: 50 Years of Sydney United 2008 Sydney United Sydney, NSW, Australia 978-0-646-50046-1 231–234 First Edition 2008Željko Babić https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe99697/zeljko-babic/ worldfootball.net 25 July 2025 en May 2025 Mid-Season Losses n y 9 MF AUS Gabriel Mendez 1973 03 12 2003 01 01 Johor FC MYS Loan Mid-season Stavroulakis Mark From The Dressing Sheds Australian and British Soccer Weekly 1123 F.L. Press January 2003Gabriel Mendez https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe99508/gabriel-mendez/ worldfootball.net 25 July 2025 en 18 MF AUS Daniel Watkins 1980 07 08 2003 01 01 Johor FC MYS Loan Mid-season Stavroulakis Mark From The Dressing Sheds Australian and British Soccer Weekly 1123 F.L. Press January 2003Daniel Watkins https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe101459/daniel-watkins/ worldfootball.net 25 July 2025 en 25 FW AUS Jon Angelucci 1975 09 12 2003 01 01 Johor FC MYS Loan Mid-season Stavroulakis Mark From The Dressing Sheds Australian and British Soccer Weekly 1123 F.L. Press January 2003Jon Angelucci https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe99455/jon-angelucci/ worldfootball.net 25 July 2025 en 13 MF AUS Vince Savoca 1975 05 27 2003 01 01 St George FC AUS Transfer Mid-season Vince Savoca https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe110959/vince-savoca/ worldfootball.net 26 July 2025 en 23 DF AUS Michael Cindrić 1982 11 20 2003 01 01 Fairfield Bulls AUS Transfer Mid-season Michael Cindrić https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe108593/michael-cindric/ worldfootball.net 25 July 2025 en July 2025 Competitions Overview 5 National Soccer League 22 September 2002 15 March 2003 Matchday 1 8th 7 6 11 23 31 complete National Soccer League League table SYD Results summary 6 3 3 14 10 1 3 8 9 21 July 2025 Matches 1 22 September 2002 Football Kingz 0–0 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/20022003/Round01.html Sydney United Ericsson Stadium Auckland, New Zealand 2,999 Derek Rugg D 2 29 September 2002 Sydney United 2–0 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/20022003/Round02.html Newcastle United B.Šantalab 49 Menapi 74 Sydney United Sports Centre Edensor Park, New South Wales 3,371 Brett Hugo W 3 6 October 2002 South Melbourne 1–1 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/20022003/Round03.html Sydney United Coveny 24 Čačić 32 Bob Jane Stadium Albert Park, Victoria 4,156 Perry Mur D 4 Bye http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/20022003/Round04.html 5 20 October 2002 Sydney United 1–1 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/20022003/Round04.html Northern Spirit Menapi 38 McDermott 43 Sydney United Sports Centre Edensor Park, New South Wales 5,352 Con Diomis D 6 27 October 2002 Perth Glory 2–0 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/20022003/Round05.html Sydney United Mori 9 74 (pen) Perth Oval Vincent, Western Australia 7,595 Mark Shield L 7 3 November 2002 Sydney United 2–1 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/20022003/round06.htm Wollongong Wolves Angelucci 71 Čačić 81 Young 53 Sydney United Sports Centre Edensor Park, New South Wales 4,152 Simon Przydacz W 8 10 November 2002 Olympic Sharks 1–0 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/20022003/round08.htm Sydney United Packer 90 Shark Park Woolooware, New South Wales 3,620 Angelo Nardi L 9 17 November 2002 Sydney United 2–1 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/20022003/Round09.html Adelaide City Force Angelucci 45 87 Vidmar 84 Sydney United Sports Centre Edensor Park, New South Wales 3,963 Mark Shield W 10 24 November 2002 Melbourne Knights 3–2 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/20022003/round10.htm Sydney United Pelikan 28 Biscayzacú 58 (pen) A.Cervinski 78 B.Šantalab 3 55 Knights Stadium Sunshine North, Victoria 4,155 Craig Zetter L 11 1 December 2002 Sydney United 2–0 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/20022003/round11.htm Marconi Stallions Šantalab 34 (pen) Deur 64 Sydney United Sports Centre Edensor Park, New South Wales 3,826 Eddie Lennie W 12 8 December 2002 Parramatta Power 3–0 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/20022003/round12.htm Sydney United Salapasidis 44 Maloney 45 Elrich 75 Parramatta Stadium Parramatta, New South Wales 3,004 Ben Williams L 13 15 December 2002 Sydney United 0–3 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/20022003/round13.htm Brisbane Strikers Pilic 32 Rech 56 Roche 62 Sydney United Sports Centre Edensor Park, New South Wales 3,263 Matthew Breeze L 14 20 December 2002 Newcastle United 4–1 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/20022003/round14.htm Sydney United J.Griffiths 14(pen) 47 (pen) Masi 54 Middleby 90 Šantalab 77 (pen) EnergyAustralia Stadium Newcastle, New South Wales 5,076 Ben Williams L 15 29 December 2002 Sydney United 1–0 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/20022003/round15.htm Football Kingz Doumanis 11 Sydney United Sports Centre Edensor Park, New South Wales 2,943 Peter Green W 16 5 January 2003 Sydney United 0–1 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/20022003/round16.htm South Melbourne Coveny 45 Sydney United Sports Centre Edensor Park, New South Wales 2,730 Mark Shield L 17 Bye http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/20022003/Round17.html 18 17 January 2003 Northern Spirit 1–0 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/20022003/round18.htm Sydney United Spencer 70 North Sydney Oval North Sydney, New South Wales 2,016 Craig Zetter L 19 26 January 2003 Sydney United 1–1 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/20022003/round19.htm Perth Glory Šantalab 54 Dega 20 Sydney United Sports Centre Edensor Park, New South Wales 2,021 Matthew Breeze D 20 31 January 2003 Wollongong Wolves 2–1 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/20022003/round20.htm Sydney United Stanton 4 Mennillo 32 Jedinak 45 WIN Stadium Wollongong, New South Wales 3,031 Matthew Breeze L 21 9 February 2003 Sydney United 1–1 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/20022003/round21.htm Olympic Sharks Doumanis 87 Milicic 36 Sydney United Sports Centre Edensor Park, New South Wales 3,653 Eddie Lennie D 22 14 February 2003 Adelaide City Force 2–0 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/20022003/round22.htm Sydney United Pelosi 43 Lozanovski 90 Hindmarsh Stadium Hindmarsh, South Australia 1,982 Angelo Nardi L 23 22 February 2003 Sydney United 2–0 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/20022003/round23.htm Melbourne Knights Doumanis 44 Lukáč 90 Sydney United Sports Centre Edensor Park, New South Wales 2,391 Ben Williams W 24 28 February 2003 Marconi Stallions 1–1 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/20022003/round24.htm Sydney United Last 23 Collina 19 Marconi Stadium Bossley Park, New South Wales 2,377 Matthew Breeze D 25 9 March 2003 Sydney United 0–1 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/20022003/round25.htm Parramatta Power Barrett (og) 75 Sydney United Sports Centre Edensor Park, New South Wales 3,251 Matthew Breeze L 26 15 March 2003 Brisbane Strikers 1–3 http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/20022003/Round26.html Sydney United Rech 23 (pen) Jedinak 56 Cunico 63 Brain 70 Ballymore Stadium Herston, Queensland 1,987 Brett Hugo W Statistics Appearances and goals Players with no appearances not included in the list.The Australian National League http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/20022003/NSL.html www.ozfootball.net 26 July 2025Sydney United Page http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSLclubs/SU0203.html www.ozfootball.net 26 July 2025 No.Pos.Nat.NameNational Soccer LeagueTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoals1GKCROVanja Ivesa2402402DFCROBožidar Čačić1821823DFCROBoris Pavić1501504DFAUSPaul Bilokapic2302305DFAUSDavid Barrett 11901906MFAUSNahuel Arrarte1401407MFSVKSlavomír Lukáč 11411418MFAUSMile Jedinak1821829FWAUSZeljko Babic909010MFAUSPetar Markovic 1505011MFAUSChristian Cevenini 1101012MFAUSDamon Collina 117117114DFAUSMichael Šantalab 1909015MFAUSLouis Brain22122116FWSOLCommins Menapi18218217MFAUSMichael Cunico 1717119FWAUSBrendon Šantalab17617620GKAUSJohn Perosh 1101022MFAUSMilan Bosnar 1404023MFAUSAnthony Doumanis 121321325MFAUSAnte Deur 1131131 Players who left during the season9MFAUSGabriel Mendez12012013MFAUSVince Savoca 1101018DFAUSDaniel Watkins 1404025FWAUSJon Angelucci9393 References 2002–03 Category:2002–03 National Soccer League (Australia) by team Category:2002 in sport in Sydney Category:2003 in sport in Sydney