1995-96 Sydney United FC season

Sydney United 58 FC
1995–1996 season
ChairmanIvan Simić
ManagerBranko Culina
StadiumSydney United Sports Centre
National Soccer League6th (League)
Semi-Finals (Finals)
Johnny Walker CupFirst Round
Waratah CupWinners
Top goalscorerLeague = David Zdrilic (9)
All = Zeljko Babic (11)
Highest home attendance9,170 vs. UTS Olympic
(11 February 1996)
National Soccer League
Lowest home attendance1,836 vs. Marconi Fairfield
(20 January 1996)
Johnny Walker Cup
Average home league attendance4,340
Biggest win3–0
vs. Canberra Cosmos
(16 December 1995)
National Soccer League
3-0
vs. Wollongong City
(26 December 1995)
National Soccer League
4–1 vs. South Melbourne
(6 January 1996)
National Soccer League
3–0 vs. West Adelaide Sharks
(9 March 1996)
National Soccer League
3–0 vs. Newcastle Breakers
(20 March 1996)
National Soccer League
Biggest defeat0–4
vs. Brisbane Strikers
(22 December 1995)
National Soccer League

The 1995–96 season marked Sydney United's fourteenth campaign in the NSL. Under the leadership of head coach Branko Culina, in his second year at the helm, the team secured a 6th-place finish in the league.

In the finals series, Sydney United triumphed over the Brisbane Strikers with a comprehensive 4–1 aggregate victory in the Elimination Semi-Final. However, their pursuit of the championship was cut short in the subsequent Minor Semi-Final, where they suffered a narrow 1–0 defeat to Adelaide City.

During the pre-season, Sydney United claimed the Waratah Cup title, defeating Canterbury Marrickville FC 2–1 in the final, with goals from Zeljko Babic and Ante Moric. Conversely, their campaign in the Johnny Walker Cup was less successful, as they exited in the First Round following a 3–1 aggregate loss to the Marconi Stallions.[1][2]

David Zdrilic emerged as Sydney United's leading goalscorer in the NSL, netting nine goals, while Zeljko Babic led the team across all competitions with a total of eleven goals.[3][4]

Players

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  AUS John Perosh
2 DF  AUS Robert Trajkovski
3 DF  CRO Velimir Kuprešak
4 DF  AUS Tony Popovic (Captain)
5 DF  AUS Mark Babic
6 MF  AUS Robert Enes
7 MF  AUS Aytek Genc
8 MF  AUS Ante Moric
9 MF  AUS Robert Markovac
10 MF  AUS Ante Milicic
11 MF  AUS Dominic Ušalj
12 DF  AUS Marko Rudan
13 MF  AUS Jim Patikas
No. Pos. Nation Player
14 FW  AUS David Zdrilic
15 FW  AUS Zeljko Babic
16 FW  PNG Manis Lamond
17 DF  AUS Paul Bilokapic
18 MF  AUS Richard Plesa
20 GK  AUS Andrew Crews
21 FW  AUS James Aschner
22 MF  AUS Mirko Jurilj
23 DF  AUS Chad Gibson
— MF  AUS Jacob Burns
— FW  AUS Mario Jermen
— MF  AUS Ljupčo Trajcevski
— DF  AUS Joe Vrkic

Transfers in

No.
 Pos.
 Nat.
 Name
 Age
 Moving from
 Type
 Transfer
window 		Ends
 Transfer
fee 		Source
9 MF Robert Markovac 28 Waterford United Transfer Pre-season Free [5][6]
2 MF Robert Trajkovski 22 Melbourne SC Transfer Pre-season Free [7][8]
6 MF Robert Enes 19 Melbourne SC Transfer Pre-season Free [9][10]
20 GK Andrew Crews 21 Blacktown City Demons Transfer Pre-season Free [11][12]
21 FW James Aschner 19 Sutherland Sharks Transfer Pre-season Free [13]
22 MF Mirko Jurilj 21 Pkenj FC Transfer Pre-season Free [14]

Transfers out

No.
 Pos.
 Nat.
 Name
 Age
 Moving to
 Type
 Transfer
window 		Transfer
fee 		Source
7 MF Ivan Petković 35 Retirement Pre-season Free [15][16][17]
1 GK Zeljko Kalac 22 Leicester City Transfer Pre-season $1.7 million [18][19]
2 DF Robert Stanton 23 Marconi Fairfield End of Contract Pre-season Free [20][21][22]
11 MF Eric Hristodoulou 25 Marconi Fairfield End of Contract Pre-season Free [23][24][25][26]
6 MF Ljupčo Naumovski 29 Wollongong City End of Contract Pre-season Free [27][28]
9 FW Tony Krslovic 26 Leichhardt Tigers End of Contract Pre-season Free [29][30]
FW Matthew Zec 22 Leichhardt Tigers End of Contract Pre-season Free [31]

Mid-Season Gains

No.
 Pos.
 Nat.
 Name
 Age
 Moving from
 Type
 Transfer
window 		Ends
 Transfer
fee 		Source
7 MF Aytek Genc 29 Pkenj FC Transfer Mid-season Free [32]
13 MF Jim Patikas 32 Kastoria Transfer Mid-season Free [33][34][35]

Mid-Season Losses

No.
 Pos.
 Nat.
 Name
 Age
 Moving to
 Type
 Transfer
window 		Transfer
fee 		Source
13 FW Mario Jermen 20 Wollongong City Transfer Mid-season Free [36][37]
19 DF Joe Vrkic 19 Wollongong City Transfer Mid-season Free [38][39]

Competitions

Overview

Competition First match Last match Starting round Final position Record
Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
National Soccer League 8 October 1995 28 April 1996 Matchday 1 6th 33 14 12 7 47 33 +14 042.42
Final Series 5 May 1995 15 May 1995 Elimination Final Minor Semi-Final 3 1 0 2 4 5 −1 033.33
Johnny Walker Cup 14 January 1996 20 January 1996 First round First Round 2 0 1 1 1 3 −2 000.00
Waratah Cup 10 September 1995 1 October 1995 Round 6 Winners 4 4 0 0 8 2 +6 100.00
Total 42 19 13 10 60 43 +17 045.24

Last updated: complete
Source: Competitions

National Soccer League

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Marconi Fairfield 33 17 9 7 58 35 +23 60 Qualification for the Finals series
2 Melbourne Knights (C) 33 17 8 8 50 28 +22 59
3 UTS Olympic 33 17 8 8 55 41 +14 59
4 Brisbane Strikers 33 17 6 10 54 35 +19 57
5 Adelaide City 33 15 9 9 65 40 +25 54
6 Sydney United 33 14 12 7 47 33 +14 54
7 West Adelaide 33 16 5 12 49 43 +6 53
8 South Melbourne 33 14 4 15 50 56 −6 46
9 Canberra Cosmos 33 8 11 14 48 61 −13 35
10 Morwell Falcons 33 9 8 16 35 65 −30 35
11 Wollongong City 33 5 5 23 31 63 −32 20
12 Newcastle Breakers 33 4 5 24 35 77 −42 17
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: rsssf.com
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions

Matches

8 October 1995 1 Sydney United 0–0 West Adelaide Sharks Edensor Park, New South Wales
Report Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre
Attendance: 4,160
Referee: Mark Shields
14 October 1995 2 Canberra Cosmos 0–0 Sydney United Bruce, Australian Capital Territory
Report Stadium: Bruce Stadium
Attendance: 5,490
Referee: Con Diomis
1 November 1995 3 Sydney United 1–0 Brisbane Strikers Edensor Park, New South Wales
  • Zdrilic 76'
 Report Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre
Attendance: 2,296
Referee: Brett Hugo
20 October 1995 4 Wollongong City 0–1 Sydney United Fairy Meadow, New South Wales
Report
Stadium: Brandon Park
Attendance: 2,506
Referee: Brett Hugo
29 October 1995 5 Sydney United 1–2 Newcastle Breakers Edensor Park, New South Wales
 Report
  • Bennett 34'
  • Lowe 62 (pen)'
 Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre
Attendance: 4,716
Referee: D.Crawford
5 November 1995 6 South Melbourne 0–2 Sydney United Melbourne, Victoria
Report
Stadium: Olympic Park
Attendance: 3,295
Referee: Eugene Brazzale
12 November 1995 7 Sydney United 2–0 Melbourne Knights Edensor Park, New South Wales
 Report Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre
Attendance: 5,211
Referee: Con Diomis
19 November 1995 8 UTS Olympic 2–2 Sydney United Lilyfield, New South Wales
 Report
Stadium: Leichhardt Oval
Attendance: 7,133
Referee: Brett Hugo
25 November 1995 9 Sydney United 0–2 Morwell Falcons Edensor Park, New South Wales
Report
Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre
Attendance: 4,321
Referee: J.Papancolas
2 December 1995 10 Marconi Fairfield 1–1 Sydney United Bossley Park, New South Wales
 Report
Stadium: Marconi Stadium
Attendance: 8,196
Referee: Con Diomis
6 December 1995 11 Adelaide City 2–2 Sydney United Hindmarsh, South Australia
 Report
Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 4,246
Referee: Eddie Lennie
10 December 1995 12 West Adelaide Sharks 0–1 Sydney United Hindmarsh, South Australia
Report
Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 3,904
Referee: W.Dade
16 December 1995 13 Sydney United 3–0 Canberra Cosmos Edensor Park, New South Wales
 Report Stadium: Sydney Croatian Sports Centre
Attendance: 4,984
Referee: Shaun Micallef
22 December 1995 14 Brisbane Strikers 4–0 Sydney United Brisbane, Queensland
 Report Stadium: Suncorp Stadium
Attendance: 2,282
Referee: Mark Shield
26 December 1995 15 Sydney United 3–0 Wollongong City Edensor Park, New South Wales
 Report Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre
Attendance: 3,950
Referee: Brett Hugo
29 December 1995 16 Newcastle Breakers 1–1 Sydney United Newcastle, New South Wales
  • James 89'
 Report
Stadium: Breakers Stadium
Attendance: 4,038
Referee: D.Crawford
6 January 1996 17 Sydney United 4–1 South Melbourne Edensor Park, New South Wales
 Report
Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre
Attendance: 2,825
Referee: Eddie Lennie
4 February 1996 18 Melbourne Knights 0–0 Sydney United Sunshine North, Victoria
Report Stadium: Melbourne Croatian Sports Centre
Attendance: 5,830
Referee: Eugene Brazzale
11 February 1995 19 Sydney United 1–2 UTS Olympic Edensor Park, New South Wales
 Report
Stadium: Sydney Croatian Sports Centre
Attendance: 9,170
Referee: Simon Micallef
17 February 1996 20 Morwell Falcons 0–0 Sydney United Morwell, Victoria
Report Stadium: Falcons Park
Attendance: 2,693
Referee: Gerry Connelly
24 February 1996 21 Marconi Fairfield 3–1 Sydney United Bossley Park, New South Wales
 Report
Stadium: Marconi Stadium
Attendance: 6,897
Referee: Simon Micallef
2 March 1996 22 Sydney United 2–2 Adelaide City Edensor Park, New South Wales
 Report
Stadium: Sydney Croatian Sports Centre
Attendance: 3,257
Referee: John Fraser
9 March 1996 23 Sydney United 3–0 West Adelaide Sharks Edensor Park, New South Wales
 Report Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre
Attendance: 2,798
Referee: Con Diomis
13 March 1996 24 Canberra Cosmos 1–1 Sydney United Bruce, Australian Capital Territory
 Report
Stadium: Bruce Stadium
Attendance: 1,498
Referee: Mark Shield
16 March 1996 25 Sydney United 1–0 Brisbane Strikers Edensor Park, New South Wales
 Report Stadium: Sydney Croatian Sports Centre
Attendance: 3,719
Referee: Simon Micallef
22 March 1996 26 Wollongong City 1–1 Sydney United Fairy Meadow, New South Wales
  • Perenich 9'
 Report
Stadium: Brandon Park
Attendance: 3,002
Referee: Con Diomis
20 March 1996 27 Sydney United 3–0 Newcastle Breakers Edensor Park, New South Wales
 Report Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre
Attendance: 2,918
Referee: Brett Hugo
31 March 1996 28 South Melbourne 1–2 Sydney United Albert Park, Victoria
  • Damianos 60'
 Report
Stadium: Bob Jane Stadium
Attendance: 5,013
Referee: John Fraser
6 April 1996 29 Sydney United 2–4 Melbourne Knights Edensor Park, New South Wales
 Report
Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre
Attendance: 4,918
Referee: Simon Micallef
8 April 1996 30 UTS Olympic 1–0 Sydney United Lilyfield, New South Wales
 Report Stadium: Leichhardt Oval
Attendance: 8,672
Referee: Brett Hugo
14 April 1996 31 Sydney United 2–1 Morwell Falcons Edensor Park, New South Wales
 Report
  • Villani 64'
 Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre
Attendance: 3,289
Referee: Eddie Brazzale
21 April 1996 32 Sydney United 1–1 Marconi Fairfield Edensor Park, New South Wales
 Report
Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre
Attendance: 6,910
Referee: John Fraser
28 April 1996 33 Adelaide City 1–3 Sydney United Hindmarsh, South Australia
 Report
Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 7,329
Referee: Eddie Lennie
5 May 1996 Elimination Final - 1st Leg Sydney United 2–0 Brisbane Strikers Edensor Park, New South Wales
18:00
Report Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre
Attendance: 2,848
Referee: Eugene Brazzale
12 May 1996 Elimination Final - 2nd Leg Brisbane Strikers 1–2 Sydney United Brisbane, Queensland
19:00
Report
Stadium: Suncorp Stadium
Attendance: 8,727
Referee: Brett Hugo
15 May 1996 Minor Semi-Final Adelaide City 1–0 Sydney United Hindmarsh, South Australia
19:30
  • Armour 44'
 Report Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 6,260
Referee: Brett Hugo

Johnny Walker Cup

14 January 1996 First round 1st Leg Marconi Fairfield 1–1 Sydney United Bossley Park, New South Wales
 Report
Stadium: Marconi Stadium
Attendance: 5,012
Referee: John Fraser
20 January 1996 First round 2nd Leg Sydney United 0–2 Marconi Fairfield Edensor Park, New South Wales
Report
Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre
Attendance: 1,836
Referee: Shaun Micallef

Waratah Cup

10 September 1995 Sixth round Sydney United 2–0 Blacktown City Demons Edensor Park, New South Wales
15:00
Report Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre
17 September 1995 Quarter Finals Sydney United 2–1 Canberra Cosmos Bossley Park, New South Wales
 Report
  • Baxter 51'
 Stadium: Marconi Stadium
23 September 1995 Semi Finals Parramatta Eagles 0–2 Sydney United South Granville, New South Wales
Report
Stadium: Melita Stadium
1 October 1995 Final Sydney United 2–1 Canterbury Marrickville FC Bossley Park, New South Wales
 Report Stadium: Marconi Stadium

Statistics

Appearances and goals

Players with no appearances not included in the list.[40][41][42][43][44]

No. Pos. Nat. Name National Soccer League Final Series Johhny Walker Cup Waratah Cup Total
1 GK John Perosh 26 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 29 0
2 DF Robert Trajkovski 11 0 3 0 0 0 1 0 15 0
3 DF Velimir Kuprešak 32 1 3 0 2 0 0 0 37 1
4 MF Tony Popovic 26 4 3 0 0 0 0 0 29 4
5 DF Mark Babic 29 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 31 0
6 MF Robert Enes 30 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 34 0
7 MF Aytek Genc 19 3 0 0 2 0 0 0 21 3
8 MF Ante Moric 22 1 2 2 0 0 4 2 28 5
9 MF Robert Markovac 23 4 3 0 1 0 0 0 27 4
10 FW Ante Milicic 32 6 3 0 0 0 4 1 39 7
11 MF Dominic Ušalj 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0
12 DF Marko Rudan 19 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 21 2
13 MF Jim Patikas 17 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 19 1
14 FW David Zdrilic 32 9 3 1 2 0 4 0 41 10
15 FW Zeljko Babic 26 6 3 0 2 1 4 4 35 11
16 FW Manis Lamond 24 7 3 1 1 0 0 0 28 8
17 DF Paul Bilokapic 26 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 27 1
18 MF Richard Plesa 19 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 21 1
20 GK Andrew Crews 7 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 9 0
21 DF James Aschner 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0
22 MF Mirko Jurilj 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0
23 DF Chad Gibson 9 1 3 0 2 0 4 1 18 2
— MF Jacob Burns 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
— DF Joe Vrkic 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 0

References

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  2. ^ "1995-6 Johnnie Walker Cup results". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
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  37. ^ "Aussie Footballers - Jee to Jones". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
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  39. ^ "Aussie Footballers - Vidaic to Vukovic". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  40. ^ "The 1995/96 Season". ozfootball.net.
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  43. ^ "1995 NSWSF Waratah Cup". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  44. ^ "1995-96 Sydney United Statistics". Stats Crew. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
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