Ante Covic

{{About|the Australian football (soccer) player|the Croatian football player|Ante Čović (Croatian footballer)}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Ante Covic

| image = Ante Covic WSW.jpg

| caption = Covic as goalkeeper for the Wanderers in 2013

| fullname = Ante Covic{{cite web |url=https://www.fifadata.com/document/fwc/2006/PDF/FWC_2006_SquadLists.pdf |title=2006 FIFA World Cup Germany: List of Players: Australia |publisher=FIFA |page=3 |date=21 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610174527/https://www.fifadata.com/document/fwc/2006/PDF/FWC_2006_SquadLists.pdf |archive-date=10 June 2019}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1975|6|13}}

| birth_place = Sydney, Australia

| height = 1.93 m

| position = Goalkeeper

| currentclub =

| youthyears1 = 1995

| youthclubs1 = Hurstville Zagreb

| years1 = 1996–1997

| clubs1 = APIA Leichhardt Tigers

| caps1 = 23

| goals1 = 0

| years2 = 1997–1999

| clubs2 = Marconi Stallions

| caps2 = 46

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 1999–2001

| clubs3 = PAOK

| caps3 = 8

| goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2000

| clubs4 = → Kavala (loan)

| caps4 = 15

| goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2001–2002

| clubs5 = Dinamo Zagreb

| caps5 = 0

| goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2002–2007

| clubs6 = Hammarby IF

| caps6 = 121

| goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2007–2009

| clubs7 = Newcastle Jets

| caps7 = 54

| goals7 = 0

| years8 = 2009–2011

| clubs8 = IF Elfsborg

| caps8 = 59

| goals8 = 0

| years9 = 2011–2012

| clubs9 = Melbourne Victory

| caps9 = 24

| goals9 = 0

| years10 = 2012–2015

| clubs10 = Western Sydney Wanderers

| caps10 = 78

| goals10 = 0

| years11 = 2015–2016

| clubs11 = Perth Glory

| caps11 = 28

| goals11 = 0

| years12 = 2017–2018

| clubs12 = Rockdale City Suns

| caps12 = 49

| goals12 = 0

| years13 = 2018

| clubs13 = Wellington Phoenix

| caps13 = 0

| goals13 = 0

| totalcaps = 505

| totalgoals = 0

| nationalyears1 = 2006–2008

| nationalteam1 = Australia

| nationalcaps1 = 2

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| manageryears1 = 2018–2023

| managerclubs1 = Marconi Stallions (goalkeeping coach)

| manageryears2 = 2024–

| managerclubs2 = Bankstown City (Women)

}}

Ante Covic (born 13 June 1975) is an Australian football manager and former soccer goalkeeper, and is the current manager of Bankstown City (Women) in NSW League One. Covic was a member of the Australian national team at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany and represented Australia on two occasions. In 2014 he was named Player of the Tournament for the 2014 AFC Champions League, keeping 8 clean sheets in 12 matches with the Western Sydney Wanderers as they defeated Al-Hilal in the final.

Personal life

Covic is of Croatian heritage. He is married to Vanessa Covic and has two children, Emelie and Christopher.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsradio.com.au/former-socceroo-ante-covic-the-croatian-community-has-more-players-play-for-australia-than-any-other-nationality/|title=Former Socceroo, Ante Covic "the Croatian community has more players play for Australia than any other nationality"|access-date=24 January 2019|archive-date=25 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125073408/https://www.sportsradio.com.au/former-socceroo-ante-covic-the-croatian-community-has-more-players-play-for-australia-than-any-other-nationality/|url-status=dead}}

Club career

He formerly played for Marconi Stallions and Sydney Olympic in Australia's National Soccer League, PAOK and Kavala in Greece and Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia.

=Hammarby IF=

After Australia in 1999, Covic made numerous appearances for various European clubs before arriving in Hammarby IF, a Swedish club based in Stockholm. There he battled Erland Hellström for the spot as first keeper. About a month into the Swedish Allsvenskan series, Covic made his debut between the posts (however, not his debut game with Hammarby as he made an appearance roughly three weeks earlier in a cup game) and after that he was more or less given in the starting eleven.

Covic left Hammarby in 2006 after having played 121 games – a feat that has only been surpassed by three other goalkeepers in the club's history.{{cite web|url=http://www.hammarbyfotboll.se/aktuellt/nyheter/julkalendern-lucka-13-australien/|website=Hammarby IF|title=Julkalendern lucka 12: Australien|language=sv|trans-title=Christmas calendar luck 12: Australia|access-date=30 December 2017|date=16 December 2017}}

=Newcastle Jets=

File:AnteCovic.JPG

Covic made his A-League debut in a 3–2 loss to Adelaide United in December 2006 at Hindmarsh Stadium. Čović was the starting goalkeeper for Newcastle Jets in the 2007 season, in which he won the A-League championship. On 17 March 2009, it was announced that Covic was leaving the Jets for a three-year deal with Swedish club IF Elfsborg.

=Melbourne Victory=

On 4 October 2011, Covic signed a one-year deal with Melbourne Victory as an injury replacement for Tando Velaphi, who was ruled out for 12 weeks. Čović debuted in the opening game of the A-League season against Sydney FC at the Etihad Stadium. Covic achieved instant hero status with the home fans when he saved Emerton from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute, he was named man of the match in the 0–0 draw. He was again named man of the match after the Melbourne Derby two weeks later.

In the A-League fifth round match between Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory in 2011, Covic, along with fellow Victory defender Matthew Foschini, were controversially sent off by referee Ben Williams for challenges against Roar defenders, reducing the Victory to playing with nine men throughout the match.{{cite web|url=http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/222172,nine-man-victory-heroically-hold-champs.aspx |title=Nine-Man Victory Heroically Hold Champs |date=5 November 2011 |publisher=FourFourTwo Australia |access-date=8 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111108051237/http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/222172%2Cnine-man-victory-heroically-hold-champs.aspx |archive-date=8 November 2011}}

On 1 May 2012, it was announced new Melbourne Victory coach Ange Postecoglou would not resign the veteran goalkeeper, opting to stay with younger goalkeepers Lawrence Thomas and Tando Velaphi. This decision followed Covic winning the Player's Player of the Year award at the Melbourne Victory Awards Dinner.

=Western Sydney Wanderers=

On 2 July 2012, Covic joined A-League expansion club Western Sydney Wanderers on a free transfer.{{cite web|url=http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/wswanderersfc/news-display/Wanderers-snare-Covic-and-Haliti/47922|title=Wanderers snare Covic and Haliti|publisher=Football Federation Australia|date=2 July 2012}} The Wanderers performed above expectations and won the Premier's Plate in their maiden season,{{cite web|url=http://www.westsydneyfootball.com/_/first-team-match-reports/wanderers-secure-premiership-with-3-0-win-over-newcastle-r361|title=Wanderers Secure Premiership With 3–0 Win Over Newcastle!|publisher=Western Sydney Football|date=29 March 2013}} with Čović being named in the inaugural A-League All-Star team.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-20/all-star-team-packed-with-a-league-finalists/4769424?section=sport|title=A-League All Star team to face Manchester United full of Mariners, Wanderers|newspaper=ABC News|publisher=ABC|date=20 June 2013}} He helped his side to win 2014 AFC Champions League, keeping 8 clean sheets in 12 matches. The Wanderers defeated Al-Hilal in the final, after which he was named as MVP of the tournament.

=Perth Glory=

On 8 July 2015, Covic joined Perth Glory.{{cite web|url=http://www.perthglory.com.au/article/ante-covic-heads-west-for-more-glory/u3ro9vcoskfh1mfvxodofzsae|title=Ante Covic heads west for more Glory|publisher=Perth Glory|date=8 July 2015|access-date=28 June 2016|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924071612/http://www.perthglory.com.au/article/ante-covic-heads-west-for-more-glory/u3ro9vcoskfh1mfvxodofzsae|url-status=dead}}

=Rockdale City and retirement=

In June 2016, at the end of his contract, Covic decided to leave Perth Glory to return east to be closer to his family,{{cite web|url=https://au.sports.yahoo.com/football/a/31909290/football-perth-glory-sign-liam-reddy-in-a-league/#page1|title=Glory sign journeyman goalkeeper Reddy|first=Justin|last=Chadwick|publisher=Yahoo7|date=24 June 2016|access-date=28 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817050656/https://au.sports.yahoo.com/football/a/31909290/football-perth-glory-sign-liam-reddy-in-a-league/#page1|archive-date=17 August 2016|url-status=dead}} and joined Rockdale City Suns in January 2017.{{Cite web |title=Covic joins Rockdale |last=Parkinson |first=Andrew |work=St George & Sutherland Shire Leader |date=17 January 2017 |access-date=2 February 2019 |url= https://www.theleader.com.au/story/4409845/covic-joins-rockdale/}} He retired from football at the end of the 2018 NPL season in November 2018, after two seasons at the club, to take a position as goalkeeper coach for Marconi Stallions.{{cite episode|title=Episode 182|series=Bill and Boz|network=Fox Sports|date=13 November 2018}} In December, he joined Wellington Phoenix as short-term injury cover following an injury to first-choice goalkeeper Filip Kurto.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/109145348/wellington-phoenix-sign-43yearold-goalkeeper-ante-covic-as-injury-cover|title=Wellington Phoenix sign 43-year-old goalkeeper Ante Covic as injury cover|date=6 December 2018}} He remained on the bench for the duration of the side's 3–1 win over Sydney FC.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sofascore.com/wellington-phoenix-sydney-fc/wucstbd|title = Sydney FC vs Wellington Phoenix live score, H2H and lineups | SofaScore}}

International career

He was part of the Australian squad for the 2006 World Cup play-offs against Uruguay and was Australia's third choice goalkeeper behind Mark Schwarzer and Zeljko Kalac for the finals in Germany.

He made his debut for Australia against Bahrain on 22 February 2006 in an Asian Cup qualifier. On 22 March 2008 he earned his second and last cap against Singapore in an international friendly and was captain for part of the second half after Harry Kewell and Jade North left the field.

Career statistics

CS = Clean Sheets

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !rowspan="2"\|Division !colspan="2"\|League¹ !colspan="2"\|Cup !colspan="2"\|International² !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
Apps !CS !Apps !CS !Apps !CS !Apps !CS
rowspan="3"\|Marconi Stallions \|1997–98{{cite web\|url=http://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/ante-covic_2/2/\|title=Ante Čović » Club matches\|date=19 March 2014 \|publisher=worldfootball.net}} \|rowspan="2"\|National Soccer League \|25	14	0	0	0	0	25	14
1998–99 \|21	7	0	0	0	0	21	7
colspan="2"\|Total !46	21	0	0	0	0	46	21
rowspan="3"\|PAOK \|1999–2000{{cite news\|url=http://soccer-stats.irishtimes.com/?pStr=Player&plid=60805&cust=&lang=0\|title=Ante Čović Soccer Stats\|newspaper=The Irish Times\|access-date=23 January 2014\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202094340/http://soccer-stats.irishtimes.com/?pStr=Player&plid=60805&cust=&lang=0\|archive-date=2 February 2014\|url-status=dead}} \|rowspan="2"\|Alpha Ethniki \|4	1	2	2	3	1	9	4
2000–01 \|4	0	1	0	0	0	4	0
colspan="2"\|Total !8	1	3	2	3	1	13	4
rowspan="2"\|Kavala (loan) \|1999–2000	Alpha Ethniki \|15	?	0	0	0	0	15	0
colspan="2"\|Total !15	?	0	0	0	0	15	0
rowspan="2"\|Dinamo Zagreb \|2001–02 \|Prva HNL \|0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
colspan="2"\|Total !0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
rowspan="6"\|Hammarby IF \|2002 \|rowspan="5"\|Allsvenskan \|20	0	0	0	2	0	22	0
2003 \|26	12	0	0	0	0	26	12
2004 \|26	9	0	0	4	1	30	10
2005 \|26	8	0	0	0	0	26	8
2006 \|23	9	0	0	0	0	23	9
colspan="2"\|Total !121	38	0	0	6	1	127	39
rowspan="4"\|Newcastle Jets \|2006–07{{cite web\|url=http://www.ultimatealeague.com/player_detail.php?player_id=72\|title=Ante Covic (Western Sydney Wanderers)\|publisher=Ultimate A-League}} \|rowspan="3"\|A-League \|8	3	0	0	0	0	8	3
2007–08 \|25	8	5	2	0	0	30	10
2008–09{{Soccerway\|ante-covic/76479}} \|21	3	3	1	2	1	26	5
colspan="2"\|Total !54	14	8	3	2	1	64	18
rowspan="4"\|IF Elfsborg \|2009 \|rowspan="3"\|Allsvenskan \|29	10	2	0	6	4	37	14
2010 \|17	5	0	0	4	2	21	7
2011 \|13	6	2	1	3	1	18	8
colspan="2"\|Total !59	21	4	1	13	7	76	29
rowspan="2"\|Melbourne Victory \|2011–12 \|A-League \|24	3	0	0	0	0	24	3
colspan="2"\|Total !24	3	0	0	0	0	24	3
rowspan="4"\|Western Sydney Wanderers \|2012–13 \|rowspan="3"\|A-League \|29	11	–	–	–	–	29	11
2013–14 \|28	10	–	–	12	8	40	18
2014–15 \|21	3	1	0	6	2	28	5
colspan="2"\|Total !78	24	1	0	18	10	97	34
colspan="3"\|Career Total !405	121	13	4	42	21	460	145

¹ – includes A-League final series statistics

² – includes continental tournaments and FIFA Club World Cup; AFC Champions League statistics are included in season ending during group stages (i.e. ACL 2014 and A-League season 2013–14 etc.)

National team statistics

Year	Apps	Clean sheets
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" ! colspan=3 \| Australia national team
2006	1	0
2007	0	0
2008	1	1
Total\|\|2\|\|1

Honours

File:Covic Squadron.JPG

=Club=

;PAOK

Greek Football Cup: 2000–01

;Newcastle Jets

A-League Championship: 2007–08

;Western Sydney Wanderers

A-League Premiership: 2012–13
AFC Champions League: 2014

=Individual=

Melbourne Victory Victory Medal: 2011–12
A-League Goalkeeper of the Year: 2012–13
PFA A-League Team of the Season: 2012–13
A-League All Star: 2013{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/jul/20/manchester-united-aleague-all-stars-win|title=Manchester United thrash A-League All Stars to give David Moyes first win|first=Jamie|last=Jackson|date=20 July 2013|location=Sydney|access-date=7 September 2020|website=The Guardian}}
AFC Champions League Most Valuable Player: 2014

=Records=

Oldest Western Sydney Wanderers player: 39 years, 326 days
Oldest Perth Glory player: 40 years, 309 days

References

External links

[http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/wswanderersfc/players/Ante-Covic/4506 Western Sydney Wanderers profile]
[http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Players/C/COM.html Oz Football profile]
{{NFT player|pid=12413}}
[https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/nov/20/ante-covic-you-need-to-be-a-little-bit-nuts-to-be-a-goalkeeper Ante Covic Interview]

Category:1975 births

Category:Australian people of Croatian descent

Category:Australia men's international soccer players

Category:A-League Men players

Category:A-League Men All-Stars

Category:Men's association football goalkeepers

Category:Wellington Phoenix FC players

Category:Perth Glory FC players

Category:Western Sydney Wanderers FC players

Category:Melbourne Victory FC players

Category:IF Elfsborg players

Category:Newcastle Jets FC players