Žarko Odžakov

NSL Career: Preston, Sydney Croatia, Blacktown 165 (29) / 1983 - 1989/90

Socceroos Career: 13 (3) A Internationals / 7 (1) B Internationals

Žarko Odžakov was to the NSL in the 1980s what Thomas Broich became to the A-League three decades later. Arguably the most complete midfielder to ever grace the NSL - Odžakov combined sublime skill with creativity, goal scoring ability and the physicality to rampage up and down the pitch.

Born in Dojran, Macedonia (then Yugoslavia) - Odžakov grew up playing street football before going to trial with Macedonia's biggest club Vardar at the age of 14. Odžakov joined Vardar and progressed through the junior ranks before signing a professional contract at the age of 18.

Odžakov played in over 150 league matches in the Yugoslav First and Second Leagues for Vardar and represented Yugoslavia at the U-21 level. Odžakov played against some of the greatest Yugoslav players in history such as Dragan Džajić, Ivica Šurjak and Branko Oblak before seeking a move away from Vardar - but couldn't find a suitable offer in either Yugoslavia or the United States. 

NSL club Preston Macedonia made Odžakov a great offer and the talented midfielder moved to Melbourne in 1982. Odžakov made a name for himself over two seasons for the club who represented his nationality, before club politics urged him to move to the well-supported Sydney Croatia for a then massive transfer fee of $23,000. 

At Croatia, Odžakov took his game to another level, playing for one of the most dominant teams in the league and was selected by Frank Arok for the Socceroos in 1985. A testament to his abilities was given after dominating a match in which Croatia drew one-all with Blacktown in two-time Ballon d'Or winner Kevin Keegan's second guest appearance in the NSL. In a post-game interview, Keegan said that Odžakov should be playing overseas. With Odžakov pulling the strings for Croatia, the club became one of the dominant teams in the league, reaching the Northern Conference Preliminary Final in 1985 and 1986 after finishing second and first in the Conference respectively. 

Despite being arguably the best midfielder in Australia, Odžakov was not selected for the first leg of Australia's 1986 World Cup qualifying play-off against Scotland and came off the bench in the second leg when it was too-little-too-late. Odžakov won the 1987 NSL Cup with Croatia before the club let him go and the veteran midfielder joined NSW Division One side Blacktown City for the 1988 season under former Socceroos coach Les Scheinflug.

Odžakov's experience helped the side finish minor premiers - gaining promotion to the NSL for the 1989 season and played in the Division One Grand Final where Blacktown lost a penalty shoot-out to Melita. Odžakov hung up his boots after the club were relegated for the third and final time at the end of the 1989/90 season at the age of 34. 

Following his retirement, Odžakov returned to Macedonia where became an assistant coach and later head coach of former club Vardar in the Macedonian First League before having a stint as coach of Macedonia's U-21 national team. In only three seasons at Croatia, Odžakov was honoured by being selected in the club's 50th Anniversary All Stars Team and was selected at left midfield in FFA's Socceroos Team of the 1980s after making just 13 A appearances.