2000–01 Sydney United FC season

Sydney United 58 FC
2000–01 season
Chairman	Marko Franović
Manager	Alan Hunter (Round 1-13) & Velimir Kuprešak (Round 14-30)
Stadium	Sydney United Sports Centre
National Soccer League	10th (League)
Top goalscorer	Commins Menapi (8)
Highest home attendance	6,825 vs. Marconi Stallions; (4 October 2000); National Soccer League
Lowest home attendance	2,230 vs. South Melbourne; (12 March 2001); National Soccer League
Average home league attendance	3,593
Biggest win	2–0; vs. Adelaide City Force; (20 October 2000); National Soccer League
Biggest defeat	0–4 ; vs. Melbourne Knights; (19 November 2000); National Soccer League; 1–5 vs. Perth Glory; (10 February 2001); National Soccer League

The 2000–01 season marked Sydney United's eighteenth campaign in the NSL. The team finished in 10th place, missing out on the final series for a second consecutive season.

Following a disappointing 1999–2000, Sydney United appointed former player Alan Hunter as head coach in an effort to revitalize the squad, along with key signings including former Australian internationals Francis Awaritefe and Zlatko Arambasic.

The season began on a promising note, with United securing victories in their first three matches. However, a challenging period followed, as the team remained winless for the next ten games, leading to Hunter's departure. Velimir Kuprešak took over as player-coach, and while results improved under his leadership, United ultimately fell short of a finals berth.

Additionally, the campaign marked the conclusion of Velimir Kuprešak's distinguished tenure at the club, as he retired at the end of the season, having been with Sydney United since 1989.

A standout moment of the season was the guest appearance of Croatian international Aljoša Asanović, who featured in the final two matches, scoring one goal. ^[1]

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	Brett Hughes
2	DF	AUS	Elvis Olic
3	MF	AUS	Danny Burt
4	DF	AUS	Velimir Kuprešak
5	MF	AUS	Richard Plesa (Captain)
6	MF	AUS	Vince Savoca
7	DF	AUS	Raymond Younis
8	MF	AUS	Paul Bilokapic
9	FW	AUS	Zlatko Arambasic
10	MF	AUS	Nahuel Arrarte
11	MF	AUS	Tom Pondeljak
12	DF	AUS	Tom Maric
13	MF	AUS	Ante Deur
14	MF	AUS	Kain Rastall
15	MF	AUS	Aytek Genc (Captain)
16	FW	SOL	Commins Menapi
17	FW	AUS	Francis Awaritefe


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
18	MF	AUS	Goran Talevski
19	DF	AUS	Shane Webb
20	GK	AUS	Steve Tolios
21	MF	AUS	Terry Palapanis
22	FW	SOL	Akwasi Ageyi
23	MF	AUS	Steve Jordan
24	MF	AUS	Milan Bosnar
25	MF	AUS	Matthew Jedinak
26	MF	AUS	Mile Jedinak
27	MF	AUS	Daniel Willoughby
28	DF	AUS	Allan Picken
29	FW	AUS	Matthew Zec
37	MF	CRO	Aljoša Asanović
—	MF	AUS	Matthew Clowes
—	DF	AUS	Damien Foxe
—	FW	AUS	Mark Silic

Transfers in

No.	Pos.	Name	Age	Moving from	Type	Transfer window	Transfer fee	Source
17	FW	Francis Awaritefe	36	Marconi Stallions	Transfer	Pre-season	Free	^[2]
9	FW	Zlatko Arambasic	31	Sydney Olympic	Transfer	Pre-season	Free	^[2]
5	MF	Richard Plesa	24	Parramatta Power	Transfer	Pre-season	Free	^[2]
8	MF	Mark Silic	28	Melbourne Knights	Transfer	Pre-season	Free	^[3]
16	FW	Commins Menapi	23	Nelson Suburbs FC	Transfer	Pre-season	Free	^[2]
3	DF	Danny Burt	27	Canberra Cosmos	Transfer	Pre-season	Free	^[2]
19	DF	Shane Webb	20	Manly Warringah Dolphins	Transfer	Pre-season	Free	^[4]
2	DF	Damien Foxe	26	Blacktown City	Transfer	Pre-season	Free	^[2]
28	DF	Allan Picken	19	Penrith Panthers FC	Transfer	Pre-season	Free	^[5]

Transfers out

No.	Pos.	Name	Age	Moving to	Type	Transfer window	Transfer fee	Source
5	DF	Eddy Bosnar	20	Dinamo Zagreb	Transfer	Pre-season	Free	^[6]
17	FW	Nick Bosevski	23	RFC Liège	Transfer	Pre-season	Free	^[7]
10	MF	Ante Moric	26	Sydney Olympic	End of Contract	Pre-season	Free	^[8]
24	MF	Andy Rakic	19	Canberra Cosmos	End of Contract	Pre-season	Free	^[9]
7	MF	Mirko Jurilj	26	Sembawang Rangers	End of Contract	Pre-season	Free	^[10]
25	MF	Ante Deak	22	Eastern Pride	End of Contract	Pre-season	Free	^[11]
1	GK	John Crawley	28	Blacktown City FC	End of Contract	Pre-season	Free	^[12]
3	DF	Mark Racker	23	Blacktown City FC	End of Contract	Pre-season	Free	^[13]
21	FW	Zvonko Usljebrka	27	Port Kembla FC	End of Contract	Pre-season	Free	^[14]
18	MF	Steven Bozinovski	19	Rockdale City Suns	End of Contract	Pre-season	Free	^[15]
26	FW	Fernando Pellegrino	20	Canterbury Marrickville FC	End of Contract	Pre-season	Free	^[16]
22	DF	Colin Luff	25	Bonnyrigg White Eagles	End of Contract	Pre-season	Free	^[17]
19	FW	Grgo Saric	21	Free Agency	End of Contract	Pre-season	Free	^[18]

Mid-Season Gains

No.	Pos.	Nat.	Name	Age	Moving from	Type	Transfer window	Ends	Transfer fee	Source
8	MF		Paul Bilokapic	24	Northern Spirit	Transfer	Mid-season		Free	^[19]^[20]
37	MF		Aljoša Asanović	35	Free Agency	Guest Contract	Mid-season	April 30	Free	^[19]^[21]

Mid-Season Losses

No.	Pos.	Nat.	Name	Age	Moving to	Type	Transfer window	Transfer fee	Source
2	DF		Damien Foxe	26	Blacktown City FC	Transfer	Mid-season	Free	^[22]

Competitions

Overview

Competition	First match	Last match	Starting round	Final position	Record
Competition	First match	Last match	Starting round	Final position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Win %
National Soccer League	15 October 2000	29 April 2001	Matchday 1	10th	30	12	6	12	46	56	−10	040.00
Total					30	12	6	12	46	56	−10	040.00

Last updated: complete
Source: Competitions

National Soccer League

League table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
8	Football Kingz	30	12	7	11	52	52	0	43
9	Parramatta Power	30	13	3	14	42	44	−2	42
10	Sydney United	30	12	6	12	46	56	−10	42
11	Canberra Cosmos	30	11	4	15	49	55	−6	37
12	Brisbane Strikers	30	9	8	13	52	56	−4	35

Source: rsssf.com
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored

Results summary


Overall								Home						Away
Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
30	12	6	12	47	55	−8	42	8	4	4	27	23	+4	4	2	8	20	32	−12

Source: [1]

Matches

15 October 2000 1	Sydney United	2–1	Northern Spirit	Edensor Park, New South Wales
	Arambasic 73', 88'	Report	Langdon 5'	Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre Attendance: 4,958 Referee: Craig Zetter

20 October 2000 2	Adelaide City Force	0–2	Sydney United	Hindmarsh, South Australia
		Report	Awaritefe 17', 28'	Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium Attendance: 3,467 Referee: Angelo Nardi

31 October 2001 3	Sydney United	2–1	Perth Glory	Edensor Park, New South Wales
	Arambasic 3' Awaritefe 74'	Report	Harnwell 28'	Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre Attendance: 5,483

5 November 2000 4	Carlton SC	0–3 (awarded on walkover)	Sydney United	Albert Park, Victoria
	Thompson 25', 42 (pen)' Motsiopoulos 55' Colosimo 86'	Report		Stadium: Bob Jane Stadium Attendance: 1,652 Referee: P.Mur

12 November 2000 5	Sydney United	2–2	Marconi Stallions	Edensor Park, New South Wales
	Pondeljak 49' Genc 80'	Report	Bove 50' Farah 73'	Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre Attendance: 6,825 Referee: Simon Micallef

19 November 2000 6	Melbourne Knights	4–0	Sydney United	Sunshine North, Victoria
	A.Vargas 13' Da Costa 25' Porter 50' Kiratzoglou 65'	Report		Stadium: Knights Stadium Attendance: 5,180 Referee: Con Diomis

26 November 2000 7	Sydney United	1–1	Brisbane Strikers	Edensor Park, New South Wales
	Deur 47'	Report	Foster 69'	Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre Attendance: 3,875 Referee: Neil Fox

1 December 2000 8	Parramatta Power	3–2	Sydney United	Parramatta, New South Wales
	Thorp 34' Miller 41', 44'	Report	Menapi 62' Pondeljak 66' (pen)	Stadium: Parramatta Stadium Attendance: 2,021 Referee: Mark Shield

10 December 2000 9	Sydney United	2–2	Canberra Cosmos	Edensor Park, New South Wales
	Deur 66' Menapi 90+3'	Report	Castro 5' Popovich 90+4'	Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre Attendance: 3,254 Referee: Shaun Micallef

16 December 2000 10	Wollongong Wolves	2–0	Sydney United	Wollongong, New South Wales
	Petrovski 49' Ceccoli 80'	Report		Stadium: WIN Stadium Attendance: 3,339 Referee: Gerry Connolly

23 December 2000 11	Sydney United	0–3	South Melbourne	Edensor Park, New South Wales
		Report	Vlahos 27' Coveny 41' Susa 78'	Stadium: Sydney Croatian Sports Centre Attendance: 2,230 Referee: Mark Shield

29 December 2000 12	Newcastle United	1–1	Sydney United	Newcastle, New South Wales
	Buonavoglia 52' (pen)	Report	Sprod (og) 89'	Stadium: Breakers Stadium Attendance: 8,305 Referee: Matthew Breeze

7 January 2001 13	Sydney Olympic	3–1	Sydney United	Belmore, New South Wales
	Augerinos 70' Collina 88' Parisi 90+2'	Report	Arambasic 41'	Stadium: Belmore Sports Ground Attendance: 4,462 Referee: Shaun Michallef

14 January 2001 14	Sydney United	1–0	Eastern Pride	Edensor Park, New South Wales
	Deur 58'	Report		Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre Attendance: 2,312 Referee: J.Blaney

19 January 2001 15	Football Kingz	1–1	Sydney United	Wellington, New Zealand
	Ibrahim 52'	Report	Awaritefe 18'	Stadium: Westpac Trust Stadium Attendance: 11,622 Referee: P.Mur

26 January 2001 16	Northern Spirit	1–2	Sydney United	North Sydney, New South Wales
	Burgess 27'	Report	Arambasic 35' Burt 55'	Stadium: North Sydney Oval Attendance: 3,731 Referee: Shaun Micallef

4 February 2001 17	Sydney United	2–1	Adelaide Force	Edensor Park, New South Wales
	Menapi 28', 48'	Report	Tunbridge 69'	Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre Attendance: 2,754 Referee: Eddie Lennie

10 February 2001 18	Perth Glory	5–1	Sydney United	Perth, Western Australia
	Miller 33' Despotovski 37 (pen)', 40' Naven 44' Mori 55'	Report	Pondeljak 67'	Stadium: Perth Oval Attendance: 13,278 Referee: Gerry Connelly

19	Sydney United	3–0 (awarded on walkover)	Carlton SC	Edensor Park, New South Wales
		Report		Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre

23 February 2001 20	Marconi Stallions	5–2	Sydney United	Bossley Park, New South Wales
	J.Gibson 22' Trajanovski 56' Thompson 60', 68' Brownlie 90+3'	Report	Awaritefe 1' Pondeljak 64'	Stadium: Marconi Stadium Attendance: 5,420 Referee: Matthew Breeze

4 March 2001 21	Sydney United	0–1	Melbourne Knights	Edensor Park, New South Wales
		Report	Porter 42'	Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre Attendance: 4,218 Referee: Craig Zetter

11 March 2001 22	Brisbane Strikers	4–2	Sydney United	Herston, Queensland
	Harris 23' Pilic 49' Foster 71 (pen)', 90+2'	Report	Bilokapic 41' Ageyi 90+3'	Stadium: Ballymore Oval Attendance: 1,643 Referee: Peter Green

18 March 2001 23	Sydney United	2–1	Parramatta Power	Edensor Park, New South Wales
	Menapi 49', 75'	Report	Thompson 23'	Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre Attendance: 3,860 Referee: Mark Shield

23 March 2001 24	Canberra Cosmos	1–2	Sydney United	Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
	Cortes 71'	Report	Menapi 5' Awaritefe 51'	Stadium: Bruce Stadium Attendance: 2,763 Referee: Peter Green

1 April 2001 25	Sydney United	1–1	Wollongong Wolves	Edensor Park, New South Wales
	Talevski 76'	Report	Huxley 50'	Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre Attendance: 4,235 Referee: Con Diomis

4 April 2001 Round 26	South Melbourne	3–1	Sydney United	Albert Park, Victoria
	Vlahos 6' Boutsianis 42' Kalogeracos 48'	Report	Menapi 52'	Stadium: Bob Jane Stadium Attendance: 5,025 Referee: Gerry Connelly

16 April 1994 Round 27	Sydney United	0–3	Newcastle United	Edensor Park, New South Wales
		Report	Buonavoglia 34 (pen)', 85' Tsekenis 51'	Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre Attendance: 2,638 Referee: Matthew Breeze

22 April 2001 Round 28	Sydney United	3–2	Sydney Olympic	Edensor Park, New South Wales
	Collina (og) 18' Awaritefe 44' Arambasic 68'	Report	Cardozo 16', 41'	Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre Attendance: 5,124 Referee: Eddie Lennie

Round 29	Sydney United	3–0 (awarded on forfeit)	Eastern Pride	Edensor Park, New South Wales
		Report		Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre

29 April 2001 Round 30	Sydney United	2–4	Football Kingz	Edensor Park, New South Wales
	Asanović 37 (pen)' Menapi 45'	Report	Ibrahim 5', 15', 20' Perry 46'	Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre Attendance: 5,450 Referee: Mark Shield

Statistics

Appearances and goals

Players with no appearances not included in the list.^[23]^[24]

No.	Pos.	Nat.	Name	National Soccer League		Total
No.	Pos.	Nat.	Name	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
1	GK		Brett Hughes	19	0	19	0
2	DF		Elvis Olic	10	0	10	0
3	DF		Danny Burt	21	1	21	1
4	DF		Velimir Kuprešak	2	0	2	0
5	MF		Richard Plesa	24	0	24	0
6	MF		Vince Savoca	6	0	6	0
7	DF		Raymond Younis	8	0	8	0
8	MF		Paul Bilokapic	6	1	6	1
9	FW		Zlatko Arambasic	19	6	19	6
10	MF		Nahuel Arrarte	23	0	23	0
11	MF		Tom Pondeljak	26	4	26	4
12	DF		Tom Maric	19	0	19	0
13	MF		Ante Deur	21	3	21	3
14	MF		Kain Rastall	19	0	19	0
15	MF		Aytek Genc	22	1	22	1
16	FW		Commins Menapi	28	9	28	9
17	FW		Francis Awaritefe	22	7	22	7
18	MF		Goran Talevski	19	1	19	1
19	DF		Shane Webb	20	0	20	0
20	GK		Steve Tolios	11	0	11	0
21	MF		Terry Palapanis	13	0	13	0
22	FW		Akwasi Ageyi	2	1	2	1
23	MF		Steve Jordan	1	0	1	0
24	MF		Milan Bosnar	4	0	4	0
26	MF		Mile Jedinak	4	0	4	0
28	DF		Allan Picken	4	0	4	0
37	MF		Aljoša Asanović	2	1	2	1
–	MF		Mark Silic	5	0	5	0
–	DF		Matthew Clowes	1	0	1	0
Players who left during the season
–	DF		Damien Foxe	6	0	6	0

References

^ Nimac, Ivan; Dusevic, Sime; Lozina, Leonard; Nimac, Tony (2008). More Than The Game: 50 Years of Sydney United (First Edition 2008 ed.). Sydney, NSW, Australia: Sydney United. pp. 182–185. ISBN 978-0-646-50046-1.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Australia, Soccer. National Soccer League Media Guide 2000/2001 (2000-01 ed.). Sydney: Australian Sports Publications. p. 98.
^ "Mark Silic". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
^ "Shane Webb". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
^ "Allan Picken". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
^ "Eddy Bosnar". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
^ "Nick Bosevski". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
^ "Aussie Footballers - Mori to Muhlbauer". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
^ "Aussie Footballers - Qu to Rayner". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
^ "Mirko Jurilj". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
^ "Aussie Footballers - Davis to Degney". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
^ "John Crawley". worldfootball.net. 12 August 2013. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
^ "Mark Racker". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
^ "Zvonko Usljebrka". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
^ "Steven Bozinovski". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
^ "Fernando Pellegrino". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
^ "Colin Luff". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
^ "Aussie Footballers - Saad to Sarpong". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
^ ^a ^b Nimac, Ivan; Dusevic, Sime; Lozina, Leonard; Nimac, Tony (2008). More Than The Game: 50 Years of Sydney United (First Edition 2008 ed.). Sydney, NSW, Australia: Sydney United. p. 226. ISBN 978-0-646-50046-1.
^ "Aussie Footballers - Berger to Biscaya". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
^ "Aljoša Asanović". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
^ "Damien Foxe". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
^ "The Australian National League". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
^ "Sydney United Page". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.

[1] Nimac, Ivan; Dusevic, Sime; Lozina, Leonard; Nimac, Tony (2008). More Than The Game: 50 Years of Sydney United (First Edition 2008 ed.). Sydney, NSW, Australia: Sydney United. pp. 182–185. ISBN 978-0-646-50046-1.

[auto1-2] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Australia, Soccer. National Soccer League Media Guide 2000/2001 (2000-01 ed.). Sydney: Australian Sports Publications. p. 98.

[3] "Mark Silic". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.

[4] "Shane Webb". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.

[5] "Allan Picken". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.

[6] "Eddy Bosnar". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.

[7] "Nick Bosevski". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.

[8] "Aussie Footballers - Mori to Muhlbauer". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.

[9] "Aussie Footballers - Qu to Rayner". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.

[10] "Mirko Jurilj". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.

[11] "Aussie Footballers - Davis to Degney". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.

[12] "John Crawley". worldfootball.net. 12 August 2013. Retrieved 5 May 2025.

[13] "Mark Racker". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.

[14] "Zvonko Usljebrka". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.

[15] "Steven Bozinovski". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.

[16] "Fernando Pellegrino". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.

[17] "Colin Luff". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.

[18] "Aussie Footballers - Saad to Sarpong". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.

[auto-19] Nimac, Ivan; Dusevic, Sime; Lozina, Leonard; Nimac, Tony (2008). More Than The Game: 50 Years of Sydney United (First Edition 2008 ed.). Sydney, NSW, Australia: Sydney United. p. 226. ISBN 978-0-646-50046-1.

[20] "Aussie Footballers - Berger to Biscaya". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.

[21] "Aljoša Asanović". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.

[22] "Damien Foxe". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.

[23] "The Australian National League". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.

[24] "Sydney United Page". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2025.

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