:Aleksandar Đurić

Aleksandar Đurić was born in Lipac on the outskirts of Doboj, in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (current Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina).{{cite web| url=http://www.tipura.com/nasenovine/clanci/alex_djuric.htm| title=Dobojlija – Najbolji Fudbaler U Singapuru |language=sr| website=Tipura.com}} The childhood supporter of Red Star Belgrade spent his formative years in the youth teams of his hometown club FK Sloga Doboj as a goalkeeper and later, as a midfielder.{{cite web| author=Rick Olivares| url=http://bleachersbrew.blogspot.sg/2012/07/bleachers-brew-318-changing-tides-of.html| title=The changing tides of Aleksandar Duric| newspaper=Business Mirror| date=9 July 2012}}{{cite news| title=Content with life| newspaper=Today| page=42| date=16 October 2006}} He also took up kayaking at the age of 12 on the advice of the doctor treating his growth disorder of the chest.{{cite web| author=Scott McIntyre| url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/scott-mcIntyre/blog/1106215/An-amazinf-football-tale| title=An amazing football tale| access-date=27 March 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407065951/http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/scott-mcIntyre/blog/1106215/An-amazinf-football-tale| archive-date=7 April 2014| url-status=dead| df=dmy-all}}{{cite web| url=https://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/128/613/0/index.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407085534/http://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/128/613/0/index.html| url-status=dead| archive-date=7 April 2014| title=Duric: I just love football| publisher=FIFA| access-date=27 March 2014}} He became junior kayaking champion of Yugoslavia when he was 15 and by age 17, he was ranked 8th in the world.{{cite web| url=http://www.menshealth.com.sg/guy-wisdom/mh-interview-aleksandar-duric| title=MH Interview: Aleksandar Duric| website=MensHealth.com.sg| access-date=25 March 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305021629/http://www.menshealth.com.sg/guy-wisdom/mh-interview-aleksandar-duric| archive-date=5 March 2016| url-status=dead}}

Đurić was drafted into the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) at the age of 17 and became an officer during his service. With the impending Bosnian War, his father wanted him or his brother to leave the country to preserve the family line. He was instructed to leave his hometown as he was younger and a sportsman. Đurić recalls: "My father fought in this war, my brother for almost five years and my mother was killed in 1993 by the Muslim army. They bombed our village and it hit my home directly. A really big bomb and my mother died instantly [...] So many people like me lost mothers and fathers in this bloody civil war but for me I hold no grudges. I don’t look at race, I look at people by their hearts and here in Singapore I adopted a Muslim child." With just 300 Deutsche Marks on him, Đurić left for Serbia where he played football in the second division for one season and then Sweden, where he trained with AIK and was offered refugee status which he rejected. The break-up of Yugoslavia left him stranded in Hungary without a recognised passport. He wandered through the cafes and restaurants of Szeged before a family offered him accommodation and a trial at local club Szeged LC in the second tier of the Hungarian football league.

In 1992, Đurić received an invitation from the newly formed the Olympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina to compete for Bosnia and Herzegovina in the C-1 500 m canoeing event at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.{{cite web| url=http://www.klix.ba/sport/nogomet/najbolji-golgeter-na-svijetu-zapravo-je-bosanski-kajakas/120505094| title=Najbolji golgeter na svijetu zapravo je bosanski kajakaš |language=bs| website=Klix}} Despite not having trained for two years and the ongoing conflict between the Serbs and the Bosniaks, he accepted the request as he ultimately decided he was first and foremost a sportsman. As the Bosnian Olympic Committee could not afford to pay for his travel, he had to hitch-hike his way over {{convert|1,500|km}} to Barcelona. With only a letter from the Olympic Committee and no valid passport, he managed to get a truck ride to the Austrian border but was initially refused passage by a disbelieving immigration officer who thought he was a refugee seeking asylum.{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/20808271| title=End of a long and winding road for Singapore's Aleksandar Duric| publisher=BBC Sport| access-date=26 March 2014}} After convincing them of his credentials with a phone call to the Olympic Committee, the border guards helped him persuade someone to take him half-way to Slovenia, where he managed to get another ride to the airport and flew to Barcelona. A two-day trek later, he made it to the Summer Olympics where he was one of Bosnia's ten debuting competitors. He had to borrow equipment from the Italian and Spanish teams to complete in the event{{cite news| author=Jason Dasey| url=http://espnfc.com/columns/story?id=596651&cc=4716| title=Class is permanent| publisher=ESPN| access-date=28 March 2014}} and was eliminated in the repechages. After the Olympics, he resumed his football career with Szeged LC.

An associate of Đurić helped to arrange for a trial in Australia with Frank Arok, a retired Serbian footballer of Hungarian descent and former Australia coach. In 1995, he moved to South Melbourne Hellas in the National Soccer League where he played as a defender. He also played for other Australian clubs such as Port Melbourne Sharks, Gippsland Falcons, Heidelberg United, West Adelaide and had a brief stint with Chinese side Locomotive Shanshan in 1997.

In 1999, Đurić’s club West Adelaide went bankrupt.{{cite web| url=http://www.redsports.sg/2008/10/02/aleksandar-duric-football-part-4/| title=Interview with Aleksandar Duric (Part 4)| website=RedSports.sg| access-date=26 March 2014}} He received offers from Hong Kong and Singapore but chose to move to the latter, where he began his S.League career with Tanjong Pagar United. At this stage of his career, he had been playing on the left flank as a winger or left-back. His coach Tohari Paijan converted the 6'4" player into a striker. He scored 11 goals in 16 league matches as the club finished third.{{cite news| author=Neil Humphreys| title=Third spot and $20,000 to Jaguars| newspaper=The Straits Times| page=52| date=10 October 1999}}

Đurić returned to Australia at the end of the season and obtained Australian citizenship in the hope of representing the Socceroos. He played for Sydney-based Marconi Stallions, reverting to his left midfield position.{{cite news| title=Jaguars lose twin strikers| newspaper=The Straits Times| page=100| date=19 November 1999}}

In June 2000, Đurić moved permanently to Singapore with Home United, playing as a striker again.{{cite news| title=Former Jaguar signs for Home| newspaper=The Straits Times| page=98| date=27 May 2000}} He scored 11 goals in all competitions for his new club as he won the 2000 Singapore Cup in front of a 45,000 crowd at the National Stadium.{{cite news| author=Ernest Luis| title=No SAFFC double as Cup goes Home| newspaper=The Straits Times| page=54| date=2 October 2000}} He was released by the club at the end of the season.{{cite news| author=Ernest Luis| title=Protectors will do without Tapai, Duric and Andersen next season| newspaper=The Straits Times| page=58| date=10 October 2000}}

In 2001, Đurić signed on with Geylang United where he formed a strong understanding with forward Mohd Noor Ali, a partnership they would later replicate at Singapore Armed Forces and credit with creating "at least half of all my goals".{{cite news| author=Shamir Osman| title=Geylang won't do SAFFC any favours| newspaper=Today| page=56| date=9 September 2009}} Geylang won their first S.League title in five years after defeating Jurong in the final matchday, with Đurić scoring 37 goals that season.{{cite news| author=Gerard Wong| title=Geylang regains the title| newspaper=The Straits Times| page=1| date=25 October 2001}} Geylang played Home United in the 2001 Singapore Cup final. Home United led 4–0 at half-time as Đurić and playmaker Brian Bothwell came off with injuries. Defender Noh Rahman was withdrawn after injuring his knee ligament. Noor Ali was sent off as 9-men Geylang lost with a final score of 8–0.{{cite news| author=Marc Lim| title=A night of utter shame for Geylang| newspaper=The Straits Times| page=1| date=5 November 2001}} Despite coach Jang Jung stating in a post-match interview that Đurić would be leaving the club with seven other players,{{cite news| author=Stanley Ho| title=Geylang humiliated| newspaper=Today| page=30| date=5 November 2001}} he signed a three-year contract extension and went on to score 97 goals in 126 league games over four seasons. In 2003, he joined an exclusive club of S.League players who had scored 100 domestic goals.{{cite news| title=The fourth Mr 100| newspaper=The Straits Times| page=7| date=10 July 2003}}

With the success of the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and South Korea, the AFC revamped their continental competition by introducing the AFC Champions League and the AFC Cup. Geylang as 2001 S.League winners participated in the 2002–03 AFC Champions League qualification.{{cite web| url=http://s-leaguefootball.blogspot.sg/2009/10/200203-afc-champions-league.html| title=2002/03 AFC Champions League| website=S-league: Facts & Figures| date=5 October 2009| access-date=29 March 2014}} They were drawn against DPMM in the second round of the Eastern qualifying zone; Đurić scored once in the home leg and twice in the away leg as Geylang progressed 7–0 on aggregate.{{cite news| title=Sleepy Geylang carves out 3-0 win| newspaper=The Straits Times| page=14| date=7 October 2002}}{{cite news| title=Easy 4-0 win for Geylang| newspaper=The Straits Times| page=11| date=24 October 2002}} They met Chinese Jia-A League club Shanghai Shenhua in the final qualifying stage, exiting 5–1 on aggregate with Đurić scoring a goal in the second leg.{{cite news| title=No farewell joy for Jang| newspaper=The Straits Times| page=15| date=28 November 2002}}

Geylang entered the inaugural AFC Cup as 2003 S.League runners-up. Đurić scored in both legs of the quarter-finals as Geylang United knocked Perak out of the competition.{{cite news| author=Alvin Chua| title=High-flying Eagles stun Perak| newspaper=Today| page=34| date=15 September 2004}} He scored a total of five goals in the competition as Geylang made the semi-finals, missing out on the finals with a 1–0 defeat to Al-Wahda in the second leg after a 1–1 draw in the away leg.{{cite news| author=Marc Lim| title=A match away from $250,000| newspaper=The Straits Times| page=H11| date=26 October 2004}}{{cite news| author=Marc Lim| title=Historic cup final hopes in tatters after 12 short minutes| newspaper=The Straits Times| page=13| date=27 October 2004}}

Đurić signed for Singapore Armed Forces in November 2004.{{cite news| title=Duric leaves Geylang for SAFFC| newspaper=The Straits Times| page=14| date=3 November 2004}} The Warriors won the league four times, achieving the S.League and Singapore Cup double in 2007 and 2008 as he finished league top-scorer three times in 2007, 2008 and 2009.{{cite news| author=Shamir Osman| title=Here's to a better show in 2010| newspaper=Today| page=41| date=10 November 2009}} Đurić scored 129 goals in 150 league appearances with the club. His prolific form was recognised with the S.League Player of the Year award in 2007{{cite web| url=http://www.sleague.com/news-features/news/archive/-duric-bags-four-trophies-at-ntuc-income-yeo%27s-awards-night| archive-url=https://archive.today/20140412114816/http://www.sleague.com/news-features/news/archive/-duric-bags-four-trophies-at-ntuc-income-yeo's-awards-night| url-status=usurped| archive-date=12 April 2014| title=Duric bags four trophies at NTUC Income-Yeo's awards night| publisher=sleague.com| access-date=12 April 2014}} and 2008.{{cite web| url=http://www.sleague.com/news-features/news/archive/-duric-wins-player-of-the-year| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413150434/http://www.sleague.com/news-features/news/archive/-duric-wins-player-of-the-year| url-status=usurped| archive-date=13 April 2014| title=Duric wins player of the year| publisher=sleague.com| access-date=12 April 2014}} He scored his 200th domestic goal with a 5-minute hat-trick over Liaoning Guangyuan on 9 July 2007.{{cite news| author=Darren Lai| title=Hat-trick hero Duric joins the 200-goal club| newspaper=Today| page=42| date=10 July 2007}} and broke Mirko Grabovac's league record of 244 goals in local competitions with two goals in a 2–2 draw with ex-club Geylang United on his 38th birthday.{{cite news| author=Shamir Osman| title=A bittersweet birthday for Duric| newspaper=Today| page=43| date=13 August 2008}} The club also defeated Home United 5–4 on penalties after a 1–1 draw in regulation time in the 2008 Charity Shield.

In 2009, Singapore Armed Forces became the first Singapore club to advance to the AFC Champions League after defeating PEA{{cite news| author=Leonard Lim| title=Warriors whip Thai champs| newspaper=The Straits Times| page=36| date=19 February 2009}} and PSMS Medan{{cite news| author=Leonard Lim| title=On to the big stage| newspaper=The Straits Times| page=34| date=26 February 2009}} in the play-offs. They were drawn against Kashima Antlers, Suwon Samsung Bluewings and Shanghai Shenghua for the group stage. Đurić scored a goal in the match against Suwon Bluewings on 19 May 2009.{{cite web| url=http://www.worldfootball.net/report/afc-champions-league-2009-gruppe-g-suwon-blue-wings-singapore-armed-forces/| title=Suwong Bluewings - Singapore Armed Forces FC 3:1| website=worldfootball.net| access-date=13 April 2014}} The club failed to make it to the next round, ending bottom of the group with five losses and a draw.

In September 2009, Đuric agreed to join Sriwijaya of the Indonesian Super League for a reported US$110,000 a season contract.{{cite news| author=Aleksandar Duric| url=http://www.straitstimes.com/the-big-story/epl-20132014/story/heat-managers-when-transfers-go-awry-20130827| title=Heat on managers when transfers go awry| newspaper=The Straits Times| date=27 August 2013| access-date=29 March 2014| archive-date=29 March 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329095149/http://www.straitstimes.com/the-big-story/epl-20132014/story/heat-managers-when-transfers-go-awry-20130827| url-status=dead}} However, a month later, he told the press that he declined the offer in the end because Sriwijaya tried to change the terms of the contract which was mutually agreed upon.{{cite web| url=http://www.redsports.sg/2009/10/26/aleksandar-duric-srijwijaya-football/| title=Aleksandar Duric not going to Indonesia Super League| website=RedSports.sg| access-date=29 March 2014}}

Đuric's relationship with Singapore Armed Forces had been damaged with his attempted transfer to Sriwijaya. Following their decision not to offer him a new contract, he signed for Tampines Rovers in 2010.{{cite news| author=Joyce Lim| url=https://www.asiaone.com/News/The+New+Paper/Story/A1Story20091110-178899.html| title=Top scorer, thrice in a row| newspaper=The New Paper| date=10 November 2009| url-status=live| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329100614/http://news.asiaone.com/News/The+New+Paper/Story/A1Story20091110-178899.html| archive-date=29 March 2014| df=dmy-all}} He scored 20 league goals in his first season there as the club finished in second place. He clinched three consecutive S.League titles with Tampines Rovers from 2011 to 2013, and four Charity Shield honours from 2011 to 2014.{{cite web| title=Stags claim fourth successive Charity Shield| url=http://tampinesroversfc.com/stags-claim-fourth-successive-charity-shield/| publisher=Tampines Rovers| access-date=17 April 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419011648/http://tampinesroversfc.com/stags-claim-fourth-successive-charity-shield/| archive-date=19 April 2014| url-status=dead| df=dmy-all}} He became the first player to reach a milestone 300th goal on 27 September 2010 with two goals against Balestier Khalsa in the Singapore Cup.{{cite web| url=http://entertainment.xin.msn.com/en/radio/938live/sportsnews.aspx?cp-documentid=4362583| title=40-year old Alex Duric scores 300th goal in S-league!| website=xinmsn| access-date=14 April 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415053445/http://entertainment.xin.msn.com/en/radio/938live/sportsnews.aspx?cp-documentid=4362583| archive-date=15 April 2014| url-status=dead}}{{refn|name=milestone|group=nb|Prior to the 2011 season, milestone goals include both S.League and Singapore Cup goals. The FAS amended it to include only league goals in 2011.[https://www.asiaone.com/could-indra-sahdan-win-same-award-twice "Could Indra Sahdan win the same award twice?"], The New Paper, (16 November 2013)}} With 328 goals in 444 top division club appearances, Đuric was ranked by IFFHS as the world top scorer in July 2011.{{cite web| author=Jason Dasey| url=http://www.aljazeera.com/sport/football/2011/08/201187813449970.html| title=Striker's hard road to the top| website=Al Jazeera| date=7 August 2011}} He picked up his third Player of the Year award in 2012{{cite news| author=Fabius Chen| url=http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/sports/story/duric-s-league-player-the-year-20121111| title=Duric named S-League Player of the Year for third time| newspaper=The Straits Times| date=11 November 2012| access-date=12 April 2014| archive-date=13 April 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413133247/http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/sports/story/duric-s-league-player-the-year-20121111| url-status=dead}} and finished joint league top-scorer with Moon Soon-Ho in 2013.{{cite web| url=http://www.sleague.com/news-features/news/2013/november/2013-great-eastern-yeo-s-s-league-awards-night/| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131117131239/http://www.sleague.com/news-features/news/2013/november/2013-great-eastern-yeo-s-s-league-awards-night/| url-status=usurped| archive-date=17 November 2013| title=2013 Great Eastern-Yeo's S.League Awards Night| publisher=sleague.com| access-date=12 April 2014}}

Đurić announced his decision to quit professional football at the end of the 2014 season, having been convinced by the club management to postpone his initial plans to retire at the end of 2012.{{cite web| url=http://www.goal.com/en-sg/news/5098/sleague/2013/11/03/4378908/duric-confirms-retirement-at-end-of-next-season| title=Duric confirms retirement at end of next season| website=Goal.com| access-date=25 March 2014}} He started the season having scored a record 378 domestic goals.{{cite news| author=Wang Meng Meng| url=http://news.asiaone.com/news/sports/durics-last-hurrah-put-pride-back-s-league?page=0%2C0| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329095500/http://news.asiaone.com/news/sports/durics-last-hurrah-put-pride-back-s-league?page=0%2C0| url-status=dead| archive-date=29 March 2014| title=Duric's last hurrah: 'Put pride back in S-League'| newspaper=The Sunday Times| date=25 February 2014}} Tampines failed to reach the 2014 AFC Champions League after losing to South China at the first qualifying round.{{cite web| url=http://www.goal.com/en-sg/match/129481/tampines-rovers-fc-vs-south-china/report| title=Nine-man Tampines crash out of ACL play-offs in extra time| website=Goal.com| access-date=13 April 2014}} The club dropped into the 2014 AFC Cup accordingly, and was eventually eliminated in the group stage. He ended the season with eight goals in 35 appearances across all competitions as Tampines finished third in the league. Đurić retired from his playing career after his final match in a 2–1 loss to Brunei DPMM in the Singapore Cup third-place play-off match on 5 November 2014.{{cite web|title=Tampines Rovers vs. DPMM FC 1 - 2|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/11/05/singapore/singapore-cup/tampines-rovers-fc/brunei-dpmm/1951037/?ICID=PL_MS_01|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=6 November 2014|date=5 November 2014}}

Đurić returns to competitive football in 2017 where he joined Singapore Cricket Club and took part in the Cosmopolitan Football league, known as CosmoLeague, which is a top amateur football league in Singapore.{{cite journal|url=https://issuu.com/sgcricketclub/docs/s617_low_res|title=9th Singapore Cricket Club International Soccer Sixes|page=8|author=Singapore Cricket Club|date=12 June 2017|access-date=18 June 2022}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cosmoleague.com/players/view/727|title=Aleksandar Duric|publisher=Cosmoleague|access-date=18 June 2022}}

It took Đurić three personal attempts before he received his Singaporean citizenship on 27 September 2007{{cite news| author=Wang Meng Meng| title=New Singaporean Duric could line up for Lions| newspaper=The Straits Times| page=60| date=28 September 2007}} as he was not on the Football Association of Singapore's Foreign Sports Talent Scheme.{{cite web| url=http://www.redsports.sg/2008/09/19/aleksandar-duric-football/| title=Interview with Aleksandar Duric (Part 1)| website=RedSports.sg| access-date=26 March 2014}}{{cite news| title=Aleksandar the Great| newspaper=The Straits Times| page=46| date=1 October 2007}} Despite obtaining his Singapore passport for non-footballing reasons, coach Radojko Avramović called him up to the Singapore national team on 1 November 2007.{{cite web| url=http://www.wsgworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/AFC-Quarterly-Issue-2-Apr-2013.pdf| title=End in sight for Tampines' Rover| publisher=AFC Quarterly (issue 2)| page=35| date=April 2013}}{{cite news| author=Wang Meng Meng| title=Striker Duric gets call-up| newspaper=The Straits Times| page=58| date=2 November 2007}} He made his international debut at the age of 37 years and 89 days against Tajikistan in the first leg of the second round of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers on 9 November, contributing with an immediate impact by scoring both goals in a 2–0 victory.{{cite web| url=http://www.fas.org.sg/news/road-south-africa-duric-bags-brace-give-lions-advantage| title=Road to South Africa: Duric bags brace to give Lions advantage| publisher=FAS| access-date=6 April 2014| archive-url=https://archive.today/20140406150135/http://www.fas.org.sg/news/road-south-africa-duric-bags-brace-give-lions-advantage| archive-date=6 April 2014| url-status=dead| df=dmy-all}} Đurić started the match following injuries to attacking midfielder Shi Jiayi and striker Indra Shahdan Daud.{{cite web| author=Richard Lenton| url=http://www.richardlenton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/EX-ProfileDuric.FebApr13.RL_.pdf| title=Aleksandar Duric| access-date=27 March 2014}}{{cite web| url=http://www.fas.org.sg/news/road-south-africa-debutant-duric-just-two-good| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325021546/http://www.fas.org.sg/news/road-south-africa-debutant-duric-just-two-good| url-status=dead| archive-date=25 March 2014| title=Road to South Africa: Debutant Duric just two good| publisher=FAS| access-date=25 March 2014}}{{cite web|last1=Lim|first1=Weixiang|title=Lunch with... Aleksandar Duric|url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/features/lunch-aleksandar-duric?page=0%2C1|publisher=FourFourTwo|access-date=6 November 2014|date=31 October 2014|page=2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054837/http://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/features/lunch-aleksandar-duric?page=0,1|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}} The result coupled with a 1–1 draw in the second leg meant that Singapore progressed to the third round of the Asian Qualifying Tournament for the first time,{{cite news| author=Wang Meng Meng| title=Can the Lions go all the way?| newspaper=The Straits Times| page=41| date=25 November 2007}} where they were drawn against Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Uzbekistan. He continued his fine form on the international stage, scoring against Lebanon{{cite web| url=http://www.fas.org.sg/news/first-half-goals-put-lions-back-track| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407102804/http://www.fas.org.sg/news/first-half-goals-put-lions-back-track| url-status=dead| archive-date=7 April 2014| title=First-Half goals put Lions back on track| publisher=FAS| access-date=6 April 2014}} and Uzbekistan{{cite web| url=http://www.fas.org.sg/news/road-south-africalions-lose-despite-scoring-three| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407104656/http://www.fas.org.sg/news/road-south-africalions-lose-despite-scoring-three| url-status=dead| archive-date=7 April 2014| title=Road to South Africa:Lions lose despite scoring three| publisher=FAS| access-date=6 April 2014}} as Singapore finished third in Group 4.

With the absence of regular captain Indra Sahdan and vice-captain Lionel Lewis for the friendly against Bahrain on 28 May 2008, Đurić skippered Singapore for the first time, becoming the first ever foreign-born player to start a game as captain.

Đurić made the national team for the 2008 AFF Championship but was ruled out for the rest of the tournament after suffering a fibula injury in the opening match against Cambodia.{{cite web| url=http://www.redsports.sg/2008/12/12/aleksandar-duric-surgery/| title=Surgery for footballer Aleksandar Duric goes smoothly| website=RedSports.sg| access-date=8 April 2014}} Singapore lost to Vietnam in the semi-finals.

He was called up to the Singapore squad for the 2010 AFF Championship. Singapore was held to a 1–1 draw with the Philippines in the opening match, with Đurić scoring a goal.{{cite web|url=http://www.affsuzukicup.com/news/singapore-1-1-philippines-late-greatwich-strike-shocks-singapore |title=Singapore 1 - 1 Philippines: Late Greatwich strike shocks Singapore |website=AFFSuzukiCup.com |access-date=13 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502204931/http://www.affsuzukicup.com/news/singapore-1-1-philippines-late-greatwich-strike-shocks-singapore |archive-date= 2 May 2012 }} He scored the equaliser as Singapore came back from a goal down to defeat Myanmar 2–1 in the next match.{{cite web|url=http://www.affsuzukicup.com/news/singapore-2-myanmar-1-duric-casmir-rescue-singapore |title=Singapore 2 Myanmar 1 - Duric, Casmir rescue Singapore |website=AFFSuzukiCup.com |access-date=13 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120809081114/http://www.affsuzukicup.com/news/singapore-2-myanmar-1-duric-casmir-rescue-singapore |archive-date= 9 August 2012 }} This was followed by a 1–0 loss to co-host Vietnam.{{cite web|url=http://www.affsuzukicup.com/news/vietnam-1-singapore-0-vietnam-bounce-back-to-seal-semi-spot |title=Vietnam 1 Singapore 0 - Vietnam bounce back to seal semi spot |website=AFFSuzukiCup.com |access-date=13 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413144725/http://www.affsuzukicup.com/news/vietnam-1-singapore-0-vietnam-bounce-back-to-seal-semi-spot |archive-date=13 April 2014 }} Singapore exited the tournament at the group stage.{{cite web| url=http://www.affsuzukicup.com/news/toothless-lions-rue-missed-chance| title=Toothless Lions rue missed chance| website=AFFSuzukiCup.com| access-date=13 April 2014| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120809082247/http://www.affsuzukicup.com/news/toothless-lions-rue-missed-chance| archive-date=9 August 2012| df=dmy-all}}

Đurić began the 2012 tournament as second-choice forward but following an injury to midfielder Hariss Harun, he was recalled into the first eleven on the left flank. He scored the third goal in a 3–0 win over defending champions Malaysia in the first match.{{cite web| url=http://www.affsuzukicup.com/news/malaysia-0-singapore-3| title=Malaysia 0 Singapore 3| website=AFFSuzukiCup.com| access-date=13 April 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006070124/http://www.affsuzukicup.com/news/malaysia-0-singapore-3| archive-date=6 October 2014| url-status=dead| df=dmy-all}} With his goal against Malaysia, he became the oldest goalscorer in the history of the competition.{{cite web| url=http://www.affsuzukicup.com/news/malaysia-0-singapore-3| title=Malaysia 0 Singapore 3| access-date=6 April 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006070124/http://www.affsuzukicup.com/news/malaysia-0-singapore-3| archive-date=6 October 2014| url-status=dead| df=dmy-all}} Singapore lost 1–0 to Indonesia three days later{{cite web| url=http://www.affsuzukicup.com/news/indonesia-1-singapore-0| title=Indonesia 1 Singapore 0| website=AFFSuzukiCup.com| access-date=13 April 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413144247/http://www.affsuzukicup.com/news/indonesia-1-singapore-0| archive-date=13 April 2014| url-status=dead| df=dmy-all}} but defeated Laos 4–3 in the final group stage match to advance to the next round on goal difference.{{cite web| url=http://www.affsuzukicup.com/news/singapore-4-laos-3| title=Singapore 4 Laos 3| website=AFFSuzukiCup.com| access-date=13 April 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006074806/http://www.affsuzukicup.com/news/singapore-4-laos-3| archive-date=6 October 2014| url-status=dead| df=dmy-all}} They defeated Philippines 1–0 on aggregate over two legs in the semi-finals to advance to the finals.{{cite web| url=http://www.affsuzukicup.com/news/philippines-0-singapore-0| title=Philippines 0 Singapore 0| website=AFFSuzukiCup.com| access-date=13 April 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413144723/http://www.affsuzukicup.com/news/philippines-0-singapore-0| archive-date=13 April 2014| url-status=dead| df=dmy-all}}{{cite web| url=http://www.affsuzukicup.com/news/singapore-1-philippines-0| title=Singapore 1 Philippines 0| website=AFFSuzukiCup.com| access-date=13 April 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209103409/http://www.affsuzukicup.com/news/singapore-1-philippines-0| archive-date=9 February 2014| url-status=dead| df=dmy-all}} Singapore went on to defeat Thailand in the finals to become champions.{{cite web| url=http://www.affsuzukicup.com/news/Singapore-coach-Avramovic-hail-his-AFF-Suzuki-Cup-heroes| title=Singapore coach Avramovic hails his AFF Suzuki Cup heroes| website=AFFSuzukiCup.com| access-date=13 April 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209111128/http://www.affsuzukicup.com/news/Singapore-coach-Avramovic-hail-his-AFF-Suzuki-Cup-heroes| archive-date=9 February 2014| url-status=dead| df=dmy-all}} Đurić retired from international football with a record of 24 goals in 53 international appearances after the tournament.{{cite news|title=Locals' input vital for new coach to succeed|url=https://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest+News/Sports/Story/A1Story20130517-423391.html|access-date=7 October 2014|newspaper=The Straits Times|date=19 May 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012140931/http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest+News/Sports/Story/A1Story20130517-423391.html|archive-date=12 October 2014}}{{cite web|last1=Leong|first1=Kelvin|title=Aleksandar Duric's Letter: Thank you very much Singapore|url=http://www.espnfc.com/blog/football-asia/153/post/2112016/aleksandar-durics-letter-thanks-singapore-for-the-memories|publisher=ESPN FC|access-date=31 October 2014|date=29 October 2014}}{{refn|name=caps|group=nb}}

Đurić stated his intention to remain involved in Singapore football in a coaching capacity as he nears completing his 'A' coaching licence by the end of his playing career. He has been Tampines Rovers' fitness coach since 2013, a job he has held full-time as he prepares to shift to backroom staff.

Đurić, an ethnic Serb, was born in the village of Lipac near Doboj.{{cite web|title=Priča o Srbinu, "izdaji", smrti i nastanku legende|publisher=Mondo|date=1 March 2016|url=http://mondo.rs/a880017/Sport/Fudbal/Aleksandar-Djuric-intervju-Singapur-kajak-BiH-veslo-i-fudbal.html}} Đurić's father worked for the railways while also playing semi-professional football. His mother was killed during an artillery attack on 9 August 1993, three days before his birthday. His father died of cancer at the age of 62 in 2000. Đurić has an older brother named Milan.

Đurić met his wife Natasha in Melbourne in 1998. They married in January 2000. Their two children – daughter Isabella Nina (born 2002) and son Alessandro Hugo (born 2004) – were both born in Singapore.{{cite news| author=Wang Meng Meng| url=https://www.asiaone.com/family-and-charity-work-keep-duric-busy| title=Family and charity work keep Duric busy| newspaper=The Sunday Times| date=25 February 2014}}{{cite web| author=Mateusz Wozniak| url=http://www.balkan-football.com/artykuly/20-inne/182-biografia-aleksandar-duric.html| title=Aleksandar Durić - bohater Singapuru| website=BalkanFootball.com| language=pl| access-date=7 April 2014| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304080517/http://www.balkan-football.com/artykuly/20-inne/182-biografia-aleksandar-duric.html| archive-date=4 March 2016| df=dmy-all}}

Đurić lives in Holland Village, Singapore.{{cite news| url=http://www.tnp.sg/content/duric-set-partner-zerka-dream-attack| title=Duric set to partner Zerka in dream attack| newspaper=The New Paper| date=28 September 2013| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325203843/http://www.tnp.sg/content/duric-set-partner-zerka-dream-attack| archive-date=25 March 2014| df=dmy-all}} As part of his rigorous fitness regime, he runs 15 km around his neighbourhood every morning.{{cite news| url=http://www.tnp.sg/content/cant-stop-wont-stop| title=Can't stop, won't stop| newspaper=The New Paper| date=12 September 2013| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917061900/http://www.tnp.sg/content/cant-stop-wont-stop| archive-date=17 September 2013| df=dmy-all}} He does not drink, smoke or do late nights.{{cite web| url=http://www.redsports.sg/2008/10/08/aleksandar-duric-football-part-5/| title=Interview with Aleksandar Duric (Part 5)| website=RedSports.sg| access-date=26 March 2014}} He avoids chilli and limits his intake of greasy food like prata and chicken rice, and keeps up with his fitness regime in the off-season.{{cite web| url=http://tampinesroversfc.com/aleksandar-duric-what-comes-next/| title=Aleksandar Duric- What comes next?| publisher=Tampines Rovers| access-date=27 March 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407104223/http://tampinesroversfc.com/aleksandar-duric-what-comes-next/| archive-date=7 April 2014| url-status=dead| df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|last1=Lim|first1=Weixiang|title=Lunch with... Aleksandar Duric|url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/features/lunch-aleksandar-duric|publisher=FourFourTwo|access-date=6 November 2014|date=31 October 2014|page=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304041308/http://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/features/lunch-aleksandar-duric|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}

Outside of football, Đurić has been involved in charity work. He has volunteered at a children's home for a decade. He adopted a son, Massimo Luca Monty, from the children's home when he was 7 days old. In 2011, he ran the half-marathon race at the Standard Chartered Marathon alongside radio deejay Rod Monteiro and kinesiologist Dr Tan Swee Kheng to help raise S$12,000 for Sanctuary House, which provides foster care for children.{{cite news| author=Lim Say Heng| url=http://www.tnp.sg/content/gutsy-trio-raise-12000-charity-marathon| title=Gutsy trio raise $12,000 for charity at marathon| newspaper=The New Paper| date=4 December 2011| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407060903/http://www.tnp.sg/content/gutsy-trio-raise-12000-charity-marathon| archive-date=7 April 2014| df=dmy-all}} In 2012, Đurić drove a taxi for 12 days to raise $2,657 for The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.{{cite news| author=Fabius Chen| url=http://www.stschoolpocketmoneyfund.org.sg/web/media-coverage-article54.php| title=Duric targets another charity drive| newspaper=The Straits Times| page=B20| date=6 November 2012| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407075623/http://www.stschoolpocketmoneyfund.org.sg/web/media-coverage-article54.php| archive-date=7 April 2014| df=dmy-all}} He and his three kids also painted plastic doves that were sold in aid of the Dover Park Hospice in September 2013.{{cite news| author=Wang Meng Meng| url=https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/duric-3-kids-send-message-love-and-care-elders| title=Duric, three kids send message of love and care for elders| newspaper=The Straits Times| date=28 September 2013}} He believes it is part of his "obligation to give something back to Singapore". In December 2014, Đurić was appointed as the first ambassador for the Delta League, a football competition jointly organised by the National Crime Prevention Council and the Singapore Police Force to engage youth who are at risk of falling into delinquency.{{cite web|last1=Bin Musa|first1=Muhammad Farhansyah|title=Home Team Sports: Aleksander Duric appointed as ambassador for Singapore's Delta League|url=http://www.hometeam.sg/article.aspx?news_sid=20141216xuWEUBPGoPG2|publisher=Home Team|access-date=20 December 2014|date=16 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220023148/http://www.hometeam.sg/article.aspx?news_sid=20141216xuWEUBPGoPG2|archive-date=20 December 2014|url-status=dead}}

{{updated|6 November 2014}}

{{notelist}}

• The inaugural Singapore League Cup was held in 2007.
• Singapore Armed Forces withdrew from the 2007 Singapore League Cup due to prior pre-season commitments.{{cite web| url=http://footballdynamicsasia.blogspot.sg/2007/02/new-singapore-pre-season-cup-for.html| title=New Singapore pre-season cup for S.League clubs| website=Asian Football Business Review| access-date=9 April 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413131616/http://footballdynamicsasia.blogspot.sg/2007/02/new-singapore-pre-season-cup-for.html| archive-date=13 April 2014| url-status=dead}}
• The inaugural AFC Cup was held in 2004.
• The FAS withdrew their one allocated qualifying spot for the 2011 and 2012 AFC Champions League.{{cite web| url=http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/clubs/afc-champions-league/658-tournaments/afc-champions-league/champions-league-2006/11002-singapore-seek-to-pull-out-of-acl.html| archive-url=https://archive.today/20140409110830/http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/clubs/afc-champions-league/658-tournaments/afc-champions-league/champions-league-2006/11002-singapore-seek-to-pull-out-of-acl.html| url-status=dead| archive-date=9 April 2014| title=Singapore seek to pull out of ACL| publisher=AFC| access-date=9 April 2014}} Tampines Rovers entered the 2011 and 2012 AFC Cup instead.

References:

S.League{{cite web| url=http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/24097/Aleksandar_Duric.html| title=Aleksandar Đurić – club statistics| website=National Football Teams| access-date=27 March 2014}}{{cite web| url=http://www.sleague.com/competitions/s-league/fixtures-scores| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326215825/http://www.sleague.com/competitions/s-league/fixtures-scores| url-status=usurped| archive-date=26 March 2012| title=S.League - fixtures & scores| website=sleague.com| access-date=14 April 2014}}

Singapore Cup{{cite web| url=http://www.sleague.com/competitions/singapore-cup/fixtures-scores| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120707223832/http://www.sleague.com/competitions/singapore-cup/fixtures-scores| url-status=usurped| archive-date=7 July 2012| title=Singapore Cup - fixtures & scores| website=sleague.com| access-date=14 April 2014}}

Singapore League Cup{{cite web| url=http://www.sleague.com/competitions/league-cup/fixtures-scores| title=League Cup - fixtures & scores| website=sleague.com| access-date=14 April 2014| archive-date=15 April 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415102613/http://www.sleague.com/competitions/league-cup/fixtures-scores| url-status=usurped}}

AFC Champions League{{cite web| url=https://int.soccerway.com/international/asia/afc-champions-league/2014/group-stage/r23286/?ICID=SN_03_04| title=AFC Champions League| website=soccerway.com| access-date=14 April 2014}}

AFC Cup{{cite web| url=https://int.soccerway.com/international/asia/afc-cup/2014/group-stage/r23295/?ICID=TN_02_02_05| title=AFC Cup| website=soccerway.com| access-date=14 April 2014}}

General

:Source:

(Brackets indicate appearances in non-FIFA matches, and do not count towards total)

:Scores and results list Singapore's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Đurić goal.

{{col-start}}

{{col-2}}

Home United

• Singapore Cup: 2000

Geylang United

• S.League: 2001

Singapore Armed Forces

• S.League: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
• Singapore Cup: 2007, 2008
• Charity Shield: 2008{{cite news| title=SAFFC clinch inaugural shield| newspaper=The Straits Times| page=31| date=18 February 2008}}

Tampines Rovers

• S.League: 2011, 2012, 2013
• Charity Shield: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014{{cite web|title=Stags wins the Charity Shield |url=http://www.footballopod.com/ViewArticle.aspx?id=3606 |website=FootballOPOD.com |access-date=17 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320131622/http://www.footballopod.com/ViewArticle.aspx?id=3606 |archive-date=20 March 2012 }}{{cite web| title=Tampines beat Home to win Charity Shield| url=http://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/sleague/news/detail/item747724/| website=FoxSportsAsia.com| access-date=17 April 2014| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018194843/http://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/sleague/news/detail/item747724/| archive-date=18 October 2014| df=dmy-all}}{{cite web| title=Tampines Rovers FC crowned winners of 2013 Great Eastern Charity Shield| url=http://tampinesroversfc.com/tampines-rovers-fc-crowned-winners-of-2013-great-eastern-charity-shield/| publisher=Tampines Rovers| access-date=17 April 2014| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140418220913/http://tampinesroversfc.com/tampines-rovers-fc-crowned-winners-of-2013-great-eastern-charity-shield/| archive-date=18 April 2014| df=dmy-all}}

References:{{cite web| url=http://www.sleague.com/competitions/s-league/overview| title=S.League - overview| website=sleague.com| access-date=12 April 2014| archive-date=22 August 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130822234311/http://www.sleague.com/competitions/s-league/overview| url-status=usurped}}{{cite web| url=http://www.sleague.com/competitions/singapore-cup/overview| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311020223/http://sleague.com/competitions/singapore-cup/overview| url-status=usurped| archive-date=11 March 2012| title=Singapore Cup - overview| website=sleague.com| access-date=12 April 2014}}

{{col-2}}

Singapore

• AFF Championship: 2012{{cite web| url=http://www.affsuzukicup.com/news/duric-delights-in-final-triumph| title=Duric delights in final triumph| website=AFFSuzukiCup.com| access-date=12 April 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413145107/http://www.affsuzukicup.com/news/duric-delights-in-final-triumph| archive-date=13 April 2014| url-status=dead| df=dmy-all}}

Individual

• S.League People's Choice Award: 2007
• S.League Player of the Year: 2007, 2008, 2012
• S.League top scorer: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013
• IFFHS World's Best Goal Scorer of the Decade (2001–10)

{{col-end}}

{{reflist|group=nb}}

{{reflist}}

{{1992 Bosnia and Herzegovina Olympic team|state=collapsed}}

{{Good article}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Duric, Aleksandar}}

Category:1970 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Doboj

Category:Singaporean men's footballers

Category:Singapore men's international footballers

Category:Bosnia and Herzegovina men's footballers

Category:Serbs of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Category:Yugoslav Wars refugees

Category:Naturalised citizens of Singapore

Category:Singaporean people of Serbian descent

Category:Singaporean people of Bosnia and Herzegovina descent

Category:Yugoslav male canoeists

Category:Bosnia and Herzegovina male canoeists

Category:Canoeists at the 1992 Summer Olympics

Category:Olympic canoeists for Bosnia and Herzegovina

Category:Men's association football forwards

Category:FK Sloga Meridian players

Category:Szeged LC footballers

Category:South Melbourne FC players

Category:Port Melbourne SC players

Category:Falcons 2000 SC players

Category:West Adelaide SC players

Category:Heidelberg United FC players

Category:Tanjong Pagar United FC players

Category:Marconi Stallions FC players

Category:Sydney Olympic FC players

Category:Lion City Sailors FC players

Category:Geylang International FC players

Category:Warriors FC players

Category:Tampines Rovers FC players

Category:National Soccer League (Australia) players

Category:Singapore Premier League players

Category:Bosnia and Herzegovina expatriate men's footballers

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Hungary

Category:Bosnia and Herzegovina expatriate sportspeople in Hungary

Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in Australia

Category:Bosnia and Herzegovina expatriate sportspeople in Australia

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in China

Category:Bosnia and Herzegovina expatriate sportspeople in China

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Singapore

Category:Bosnia and Herzegovina expatriate sportspeople in Singapore

Category:Officers of the Yugoslav People's Army

Category:Yugoslav men's footballers

Category:Naturalised association football players

Category:Singaporean sports coaches