Tony Popovic

NSL Career: Sydney Croatia/United 162 (15) / 1989/90 - 1996/97

Socceroos Career: 58 (8) A Internationals / 3 (1) B Internationals

One of Sydney United's favourite sons - Tony Popovic captained his beloved club at a young age and was a colossus in defence for the Croatian club. Tall and powerful yet intelligent and composed, Popovic was one of the best Australian defenders of the 1990s and early 2000s and was a geniuine aerial threat from corners.  

Popovic came up through the junior ranks of Sydney Croatia and made his NSL debut at the age of 16 alongside fellow debutant Zeljko Kalac. The young defender made 13 appearances in his first season before becoming a regular in the side during the 1990/91 season where Croatia failed to qualify for the finals series for the third consecutive season.

Popovic continued to develop under coaches Mladen Vranković and Manfred Schaefer as Croatia continued to foster their talented youth in order to bring the club back to it's former glory. Popovic was given the captaincy by Schaefer at just 20 years of age and helped the club reach the finals series in the 1993/94 season (the first time since the 1988 season).

With the club experiencing the rise of youngsters Ante Milicic, David Zdrilic and Zeljko Kalac - the young captain helped the side remain in the top echelon of the league in the 1994/95 season as he made his Socceroos debut at the age of 21 and became a regular thereafter.

United (formerly Croatia) reached the minor semi-final in both the 1994/95 and 1995/96 seasons, and after playing in seven of the first eleven games of the 1996/97 season, Popovic weighed up offers from overseas. Popovic decided to join Socceroos team mate Graham Arnold at Sanfrecce Hiroshima, becoming the first Australians to play in Japan. 

Popovic became a star for Sanfrecce, scoring 13 goals in 87 league games over four and a half seasons before moving to English First Division side Crystal Palace. At Palace, Popovic overcame early difficulties to become a key member of the side and was captain of the club for a time. In 2004, Popovic helped Palace gain promotion to the English Premier League by winning the First Division play-off final against West Ham.

The Socceroos defender captained Palace during their season in the EPL but failed to help the club avoid relegation before remaining with Palace for another season in the Championship (formerly First Division). Following the 2005/06 season, Popovic represented Australia at the 2006 World Cup, starting in their two-nil loss to Brazil.

Following the World Cup, Popovic moved to Al-Arabi in the Qatar Stars League for a season before finishing his career in the A-League with Sydney FC, playing in 27 games over two seasons before hanging up his boots at the age of 35. 

Since retiring, Popovic has become one of Australia's most successful coaches - coaching in a national league record four A-League Grand Finals, winning the 2014 AFC Champions League, the 2021 FFA/Australia Cup and had stints coaching in Turkey and Greece. Popovic was selected in Sydney United's 50th Anniversary All Stars Team.