Harry Van Der Saag
{{Short description|Australian soccer player (born 1999)}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Harry Van der Saag
| fullname = Harry Eric Van der Saag{{cite web |title=Harry Van der Saag |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/harry-van-der-saag/ |website=worldfootball.net |access-date=1 November 2023 |language=en}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|10|29|df=yes}}{{cite web |url=https://au.soccerway.com/players/harry-van-der-saag/580262/ |title=H. Van der Saag: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=1 November 2023}}
| birth_place = Wahroonga, Australia{{cite web |title=Harry Van der Saag – Adelaide United |url=https://adelaideunited.com.au/squads/5jj95ojkl5antavm5xboygokq?slug=5jj95ojkl5antavm5xboygokq&competition=52kxi893484fk75l1h7sndlp0&teams=6lezh5aazy0xca1800e5dqxwl&selected=MEN |publisher=Adelaide United |access-date=1 November 2023}}
| position = Right-back
| currentclub = Manly United
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = FNSW NTC
| youthyears2 = 2014–2015
| youthclubs2 = Manly United
| youthyears3 = 2015–2019
| youthclubs3 = Sydney FC
| years1 = 2018–2021
| caps1 = 28
| goals1 = 2
| clubs1 = Sydney FC NPL
| years2 = 2019–2022
| caps2 = 35
| goals2 = 2
| clubs2 = Sydney FC
| years3 = 2022–2024
| caps3 = 16
| goals3 = 2
| clubs3 = Adelaide United
| years4 = 2024–2025
| caps4 = 10
| goals4 = 0
| clubs4 = Brisbane Roar
| years5 = 2025-
| caps5 = 12
| goals5 = 5
| clubs5 = Manly United
| nationalyears1 = 2019
| nationalteam1 = Australia U23
| nationalcaps1 = 1
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| club-update = 29 April 2025
| nationalteam-update = 14 December 2019
}}
Harry Eric Van der Saag (born 29 October 1999) is an Australian professional footballer who plays as a right-back and right winger for Manly United in the NPL NSW.{{cite web |last1=NSW |first1=NPL |title=Van der Saag returns to boost Manly’s 2025 stocks |url=https://mens.nplnsw.com.au/2025/02/04/van-der-saag-returnss-to-boost-manlys-2025-stocks/ |website=NPL Men's NSW |publisher=NPL NSW |access-date=5 February 2025}}
Early life
Van der Saag was born on 29 October 1999 in Wahroonga, and later raised in Narrabeen. He took interest initially in rugby league before transitioning into football at the age of 12.{{cite web |last1=Lulham |first1=Amanda |title=Teen football star Harry Van der Saag chasing another dream debut after snaring Sydney FC contract |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/manly-daily/sport/teen-football-star-harry-van-der-saag-chasing-another-dream-debut-after-snaring-sydney-fc-contract/news-story/419d4bdc44e0195b20b5e421a1dd51be?amp&nk=05dcf9c831e0c7a7426a68cf67263233-1698743122 |website=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=1 November 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231031090513/https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/manly-daily/sport/teen-football-star-harry-van-der-saag-chasing-another-dream-debut-after-snaring-sydney-fc-contract/news-story/419d4bdc44e0195b20b5e421a1dd51be?amp&nk=05dcf9c831e0c7a7426a68cf67263233-1698743122 |archive-date=31 October 2023 |date=24 September 2019}} He also took interest in surfing and golf as hobbies.{{cite web |title=Lockdown With: Harry Van der Saag |url=https://sydneyfc.com/news/lockdown-harry-van-der-saag |publisher=Sydney FC |access-date=1 November 2023 |date=9 July 2021}} Van der Saag joined his first football club with Collaroy Cromer Strikers in their juniors' age group.{{cite web |last1=Curulli |first1=Chris |title=Van der Saag strikes for Sydney FC – By Chris Curulli - Manly United Football Club |url=https://www.manlyunitedfc.com.au/2020/02/26/van-der-saag-strikes-for-sydney-fc/ |publisher=Manly United |access-date=31 October 2023 |language=en-AU |date=26 February 2020}} He takes inspiration from Michael Jordan for his determination and strong mentality.{{cite web |title=What's On With Harry Van der Saag |url=https://sydneyfc.com/news/whats-harry-van-der-saag |publisher=Sydney FC |access-date=1 November 2023 |date=27 May 2020}}
Club career
= Sydney FC =
Van der Saag began his football career at Manly United before joining Sydney FC Academy at the age of 16.{{cite web |title=Harry Van der Saag Signs New Deal |url=https://sydneyfc.com/news/harry-van-der-saag-signs-new-deal |publisher=Sydney FC |access-date=31 October 2023 |date=14 January 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Bossi |first1=Dominic |title='Age doesn't matter': Kids shining in Sydney FC's changing of the guard |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/age-doesn-t-matter-kids-shining-in-sydney-fc-s-changing-of-the-guard-20200227-p544zt.html |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=31 October 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230609112936/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/age-doesn-t-matter-kids-shining-in-sydney-fc-s-changing-of-the-guard-20200227-p544zt.html |archive-date=9 June 2023 |language=en |date=27 February 2020}} He made his unofficial debut on 30 July 2019 in a friendly match against Paris Saint-Germain, where he was tasked with marking Kylian Mbappé.{{cite web |last1=Smithies |first1=Tom |title=Kylian me softly: The day I got an Mbapptism of fire on my pro debut |url=https://aleagues.com.au/news/kylian-me-softly-the-day-i-got-an-mbapptism-of-fire-on-my-pro-debut/ |publisher=A-League |access-date=31 October 2023 |language=en-AU |date=21 December 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Bossi |first1=Dominic |title=Sydney FC teen snares Mbappe's match shirt after dream debut |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/sydney-fc-teen-snares-mbappe-s-match-shirt-after-dream-debut-20190731-p52clr.html |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=31 October 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231031090505/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/sydney-fc-teen-snares-mbappe-s-match-shirt-after-dream-debut-20190731-p52clr.html |archive-date=31 October 2023 |language=en |date=31 July 2019}} Sydney FC fell to a 3–0 defeat.{{cite web |last1=Rayson |first1=Zac |title=PSG vs Sydney: Superstars Kylian Mbappe, Edinson Cavani star in 3-0 win |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/live-event-blog/psg-vs-sydney-live-blog-streaming-video-squads/news-story/c415999271b60e0b075e6df904c1eaff |website=Fox Sports |access-date=1 November 2023 |language=en |date=30 July 2019}}
Van der Saag made his competitive debut as a substitute on 14 December 2019 in a 1–0 league win against Central Coast Mariners.{{cite web |last1=Lulham |first1=Amanda |title=Harry Van der Saag makes Sydney FC debut against Mariners |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/manly-daily/sport/harry-van-der-saag-makes-sydney-fc-debut-against-mariners/news-story/2e1954b3d4d4dae1b0aa2cae6e8f037d?amp&nk=d8c53520137b1e99328838560d0754b8-1698743110 |website=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=1 November 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231031090459/https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/manly-daily/sport/harry-van-der-saag-makes-sydney-fc-debut-against-mariners/news-story/2e1954b3d4d4dae1b0aa2cae6e8f037d?amp&nk=d8c53520137b1e99328838560d0754b8-1698743110 |archive-date=31 October 2023 |date=17 December 2019}} His starting debut came on 4 January 2020 in a 2–1 win over Adelaide United at Jubilee Stadium.{{cite web |title=Van der Saag Feeling Sky Blue Now |url=https://sydneyfc.com/news/van-der-saag-feeling-sky-blue-now |publisher=Sydney FC |access-date=1 November 2023 |date=7 January 2020}} He then signed his first professional contract with Sydney FC on a two-year deal within a week later.{{cite web |title=Harry Van der Saag Signs New Deal |url=https://sydneyfc.com/news/harry-van-der-saag-signs-new-deal |publisher=Sydney FC |access-date=1 November 2023 |date=14 January 2020}} In the next meeting against the Mariners, Van der Saag scored his first league goal, including an assist for Marco Tilio, in a 3–0 victory on 23 February 2020.{{cite web |title=Sydney FC young guns seal A-League win - Nine Wide World of Sports |url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/football/sydney-fc-young-guns-seal-a-league-win/cd118d6d-5381-4160-a819-6f52cfa25aa4 |publisher=Nine News |access-date=1 November 2023 |language=en |date=23 February 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Rayson |first1=Zac |title=Pair of Sydney starlets score maiden goals in incredible arrival |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a-league/aleague-central-coast-mariners-v-sydney-fc-live-news-video-start-time-watch-stream/news-story/e2225111ecb609bac8b9c345da12a376 |website=Fox Sports |access-date=1 November 2023 |language=en |date=23 February 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Parkin |first1=Richard |title='Finally bearing fruit' - collaboration paves the way for A-League fairytales |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/mar/02/finally-bearing-fruit-collaboration-paves-the-way-for-a-league-fairytales |website=The Guardian |access-date=1 November 2023 |date=1 March 2020}}
Van der Saag won his first title with the club, the A-League Premiership, by the end of the season.{{cite web |title=Quick Catch Up: Harry Van der Saag |url=https://sydneyfc.com/news/quick-catch-harry-van-der-saag |publisher=Sydney FC |access-date=1 November 2023 |date=25 August 2020}} He was an unused substitute in Sydney FC's record fifth Championship after defeating Melbourne City in the 2020 A-League Grand Final.{{cite web |title=Sydney FC set new Australian record with Grand Final success |url=https://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news/sydney-fc-set-new-australian-record-grand-final-success |publisher=Football Australia |access-date=1 November 2023 |language=en |date=31 August 2020}}{{cite web |title=Van der Saag Thrilled With Unusual Debut Season |url=https://sydneyfc.com/news/van-der-saag-thrilled-unusual-debut-season |publisher=Sydney FC |access-date=1 November 2023 |date=6 July 2020}} He was released by Sydney FC in May 2022 as a result of a squad rebuild.{{cite web |title=MEMBERS EXCLUSIVE: Sydney FC Rebuild Begins As 12 Players Move On |url=https://sydneyfc.com/news/sydney-fc-overhaul-begins-as-12-players-depart |publisher=Sydney FC |access-date=1 November 2023 |date=19 May 2022}} Van der Saag made 35 league appearances, including two goals in total for the club.
= Adelaide United =
Following his release, Van der Saag was signed by Adelaide United on a two-year contract in June 2022.{{cite web |last1=Filosi |first1=Gianluca |title=Reds secure Harry Van der Saag |url=https://adelaideunited.com.au/news/reds-secure-harry-van-der-saag |publisher=Adelaide United |access-date=1 November 2023 |date=8 June 2022}} He made his league debut for the club on 9 October 2022 in a goalless draw with Wellington Phoenix, and scored his first goal in a 2–2 draw against his former side Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium just two weeks later.{{cite web |title=Reds Hold On After Sky Blues Bombardment |url=https://sydneyfc.com/news/reds-hold-on-after-sky-blues-bombardment |publisher=Sydney FC |access-date=1 November 2023 |date=23 October 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Chalk |first1=Ethan Lee |title='It was a mistake': Controversial decision puts dampener on great game |url=https://www.theinnersanctum.com.au/it-was-a-mistake-controversial-decision-puts-damper-on-great-game/ |website=The Inner Sanctum |access-date=1 November 2023 |date=25 October 2022}} Van der Saag was soon ruled out after suffering a tear in his right medial meniscus during a training session in late-November. He received surgery in December 2022 and was on a rehabilitation program for the following months.{{cite web |title=Harry Van der Saag undergoes surgery |url=https://adelaideunited.com.au/news/harry-van-der-saag-undergoes-surgery |publisher=Adelaide United |access-date=1 November 2023 |date=7 December 2022}}{{cite web |title=Van der Saag's vow to make United impact |url=https://adelaideunited.com.au/news/van-der-saags-vow-to-make-united-impact |publisher=Adelaide United |access-date=1 November 2023 |date=21 April 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Harrington |first1=Anna |title=Utd keen to keep ALM momentum against Roar |url=https://www.swtimes.com.au/sport/soccer/utd-keen-to-keep-alm-momentum-against-roar-c-9099183 |website=South Western Times |access-date=1 November 2023 |language=en |date=8 December 2022}}
After struggling to get into the side following his serious injury, his contract expired and he was then released from Adelaide United.{{Cite web |last=laurabates |date=2024-05-17 |title=Reds Farewell Three Defenders From A-league Men's Side |url=https://adelaideunited.com.au/news/reds-farewell-three-defenders-from-a-league-mens-side/ |access-date=2024-05-17 |website=Adelaide United |language=en-AU}}
International career
In November 2019, Van der Saag was called up for the Australia U-23 squad that was set to play a series of three friendlies in Chongqing, China.{{cite web|url=https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/australia-u-23-national-team-named-china-tour|title=Australia U-23 National Team Named for China Tour|publisher=Football Federation Australia|date=11 November 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/manly-daily/sport/harry-van-der-saag-earns-aussie-callup-before-hitting-pitch-for-sydney-fc-in-aleague/news-story/02916e1a9a674678a0fcb4cd4fb5c18f|title=Harry Van der Saag earns Aussie call-up before hitting pitch for Sydney FC in A-League|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=17 November 2019}} Australia claimed the Dazu Cup after winning all three matches.{{cite web|url=https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/australia-u-23s-claim-2019-dazu-cup-china|title=Australia U-23s claim 2019 'Dazu Cup' in China|publisher=Football Federation Australia|date=20 November 2019}}
Style of play
Mainly positioned as a right-back, Van der Saag is able to play as a defensive midfielder or in a more advanced midfield role. He was described by Sydney FC manager Steve Corica to be a "younger" Rhyan Grant for his versatility and work rate.{{cite web |last1=Bossi |first1=Dominic |title="A young Rhyan Grant": Sydney FC coach backs Harry van der Saag to fill void |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/he-is-like-a-young-rhyan-grant-corica-says-van-der-saag-has-the-right-stuff-20200730-p55h02.html |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=1 November 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231031090512/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/he-is-like-a-young-rhyan-grant-corica-says-van-der-saag-has-the-right-stuff-20200730-p55h02.html |archive-date=31 October 2023 |language=en |date=30 July 2020}} For Adelaide United, Van der Saag was utilised more as an attacking wing-back, being given more attacking freedom whilst using his endurance to return in defence.{{cite web |title=Van der Saag's timely run to the Reds |url=https://adelaideunited.com.au/news/van-der-saags-timely-run-to-the-reds |publisher=Adelaide United |access-date=1 November 2023 |date=12 October 2022}}
Career statistics
Honours
=Club=
;Sydney FC
- A-League Championship: 2019–20{{cite news|publisher=Football Federation Australia|url=https://www.ffa.com.au/news/sydney-fc-set-new-australian-record-grand-final-success|title=Sydney FC set new Australian record with Grand Final success|date=1 September 2020|accessdate=1 September 2020}}
- A-League Premiership: 2019–20
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerway|harry-van-der-saag/580262}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Van der Saag, Harry}}
Category:Australian men's soccer players
Category:Australian people of Dutch descent
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Adelaide United FC players
Category:Brisbane Roar FC players
Category:National Premier Leagues players