Žarko Odžakov

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Žarko Odžakov

| image =

| fullname = Žarko Odžakov
Жарко Оџаков

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1955|11|11}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Players/O/OB.html|title=Australian Player Database – OB|publisher=ozfootball.net|accessdate=2009-05-28}}

| birth_place = Dojran, SFR Yugoslavia

| death_date =

| height =

| position = Midfielder

| youthyears1 =

| totalcaps = 285 | totalgoals = 38

| manageryears1 = 2001 | manageryears2 =2002–2003| managerclubs1 = Vardar | managerclubs2 =Macedonia U21

}}

Žarko Odžakov ({{langx|mk|Жарко Оџаков}};born 11 November 1955) is a retired soccer player who played as a midfielder. Born in Yugoslavia, he played for the Australia national team 13 times.{{Cite news|url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/aussie-coach-with-the-right-stuff-175068/index.php?comments=1&next=41|title=Aussie coach with the right stuff|last=Murray|first=Les|date=3 March 2009|work=The World Game|publisher=Special Broadcasting Service|accessdate=2009-05-28}}{{Cite news|url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/blogs/lesmurray/old-soccer-ethnics-and-our-future-155174/|title=Old soccer, ethnics and our future|last=Murray|first=Les|date=2 December 2008|work=The World Game|publisher=Special Broadcasting Service|accessdate=2009-05-28}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=55454/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120801012317/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=55454/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 August 2012|title=FIFA Player Statistics – Zarko ODZAKOV|publisher=FIFA|accessdate=2009-05-29}} Former Australia coach Rale Rasic in 2006 picked Odžakov in his greatest Socceroo team.{{Cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/Rasic-snubs-Socceroos-Kewell-and-Viduka/2006/04/20/1145344211965.html|title=Rasic snubs Socceroos Kewell and Viduka|date=20 April 2006|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|accessdate=2009-05-29}}

Playing career

=Club career=

==FK Vardar==

Odžakov played 109 matches over eight years for FK Vardar in the Yugoslav First League, scoring nine goals.

==Preston==

In 1982, he emigrated to Australia where he played for Preston Makedonia in the National Soccer League.

==Sydney Croatia==

From 1985 until 1987 he played at NSL club Sydney Croatia. It was at Croatia that he took the notice of the Australian selectors.

==Blacktown City==

After two years at Croatia, he moved to Blacktown City where he played two years, playing 55 NSL matches.

=International career=

==Outdoor football==

In 1985 Odžakov played his first international match for the Australia. In all he played 13 full international matches for the Socceroos, playing his last match in 1987.

==Futsal==

Odžakov played three matches for the Australia national futsal team at the 1989 FIFA Futsal World Championship.

Coaching career

Soon after retiring Odžakov returned to his native North Macedonia. He soon received his coaching accreditation in Belgrade.

After a string of assistant coaching roles Odžakov had stint managing FK Vardar, where he managed to place Vardar in the top half of the Macedonian First League.

Odžakov managed various North Macedonia youth teams, including the North Macedonia national under-21 football team.

Zarko Odzakov Cup

The Zarko Odzakov Cup is named in honour of Odžakov. It is contested by Sydney United (formerly Sydney Croatia) and Bankstown City (a team representing the Macedonian-Australian community).{{Cite web|url=http://www.sydneyunited.com.au/united/index.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20051124061101/http://www.sydneyunited.com.au/united/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2005-11-24|title=The ZARKO ODZAKOV Cup|publisher=Sydney United Football Club|accessdate=2009-05-29}}