Jason Culina

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Jason Culina

| image = Jason Čulina.jpg

| caption = Culina in 2010

| fullname = Jason Culina{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/01/22/85/78/fwc_2010_squadlists.pdf |title=FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010: List of Players: Australia |publisher=FIFA |page=3 |date=4 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418010111/https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/01/22/85/78/fwc_2010_squadlists.pdf |archive-date=18 April 2020}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1980|8|5|df=y}}

| birth_place = Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

| height = {{convert|5|ft|9|in|m|2|abbr=on}}

| position = Midfielder

| currentclub =

| youthyears1 = |youthclubs1 = St Albans

| youthyears2 = |youthclubs2 = Melbourne Knights

| youthyears3 = 1994–1996 |youthclubs3 = Sydney United

| years1 = 1996–1998 |clubs1 = Sydney United |caps1 = 32 |goals1 = 1

| years2 = 1998–1999 |clubs2 = Sydney Olympic |caps2 = 21 |goals2 = 1

| years3 = 2000–2004 |clubs3 = Ajax |caps3 = 3 |goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2001 |clubs4 = → Germinal Beerschot (loan) |caps4 = 12 |goals4 = 1

| years5 = 2002–2003 |clubs5 = → De Graafschap (loan) |caps5 = 24 |goals5 = 1

| years6 = 2004–2005 |clubs6 = Twente |caps6 = 38 |goals6 = 12

| years7 = 2005–2009 |clubs7 = PSV |caps7 = 98 |goals7 = 3

| years8 = 2009–2011 |clubs8 = Gold Coast United |caps8 = 44 |goals8 = 8

| years9 = 2011 |clubs9 = Newcastle Jets |caps9 = 0 |goals9 = 0

| years10 = 2012–2013 |clubs10 = Sydney FC |caps10 = 8 |goals10 = 2

| totalcaps = 280 | totalgoals = 29

| nationalyears1 = 1996–1997 |nationalteam1 = Australia U-17 |nationalcaps1 = 5 |nationalgoals1 = 6

| nationalyears2 = 1999 |nationalteam2 = Australia U-20 |nationalcaps2 = 4 |nationalgoals2 = 1

| nationalyears3 = 1998–2000 |nationalteam3 = Australia U-23 |nationalcaps3 = 16 |nationalgoals3 = 1

| nationalyears4 = 2005–2011 |nationalteam4 = Australia |nationalcaps4 = 58 |nationalgoals4 = 1

| manageryears1 = 2017–2018

| managerclubs1 = Sydney United 58

| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's football}}

{{MedalCountry|{{fb|AUS}}}}

}}

Jason Culina (born 5 August 1980) is a former Australian soccer player and coach.

Club career

File:Culina.jpg

Culina began his career with Sydney United under his father, Branko Culina, before moving to Ajax, where he struggled in the reserves. Only after moving to Twente did Culina begin to shine at the top level in club football. This was proved by his moving to another top Dutch club, PSV. While originally an attack-minded midfielder with Twente, at PSV Culina played more in a disciplined defensive role for the club with immediate success. In his final year at PSV, Culina was mainly deployed at right-back with further success, attributing to Culina's versatility and utility value.

On 9 January 2009, Culina announced his intention to return to Australia after turning down a contract extension from PSV as he sought a new challenge and a fresh start in Australia.

"I want to make a fresh start and I am ready for a new challenge. I am the first international who returns to Australia and I am keen to promote the national competition and raise the standard."{{cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,8659,24897120-23215,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120917174145/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,8659,24897120-23215,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 September 2012 |title=Socceroo Jason Culina officially accepts Gold Coast deal |publisher=The Australian |date=17 February 2012 }}

On 14 January 2009, he was signed by Gold Coast United on a three-year contract, becoming the club's first marquee player.{{cite web|url=http://www.goldcoastunited.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=26083 |title=Socceroo Jason Culina signs as Gold Coast United's marquee |publisher=Goldcoastunited.com.au |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110302020748/http://www.goldcoastunited.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=26083 |archive-date= 2 March 2011 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.goldcoastunited.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=26085 |title=Bleiberg: Ambition was the key to Culina signature |publisher=Goldcoastunited.com.au |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110310045041/http://www.goldcoastunited.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=26085 |archive-date=10 March 2011 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.goldcoastunited.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=26086 |title=Right time, right club |publisher=Goldcoastunited.com.au |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110302020632/http://www.goldcoastunited.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=26086 |archive-date= 2 March 2011 }} On 1 July 2009 he made his Gold Coast debut in a friendly in Singapore against a Singapore Olympic Selection, coming on as a substitute for Steve Pantelidis and scoring in the 88th minute from 25 yards out.{{cite web|url=http://www.goldcoastunited.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=27999 |title=Debut goal for Culina in 4–0 win for United |publisher=Goldcoastunited.com.au |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110308123210/http://www.goldcoastunited.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=27999 |archive-date= 8 March 2011 }} On 22 February 2011, it was revealed Culina would join his father Branko Culina at Newcastle Jets.{{cite web |author=James Gardiner |url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/466659/jason-culina-signs-with-newcastle-jets/ |title=Jason Culina signs with Newcastle Jets |publisher=Theherald.com.au |date=22 February 2011 |access-date=22 February 2011 |archive-date=21 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110821154959/http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/jason-culina-signs-with-newcastle-jets/2083922.aspx |url-status=live }} Culina was injured long-term and missed the 2011–12 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/476814/my-call-on-jason-culina-says-ray-baartz/|title=My call on Jason Culina, says Ray Baartz|first=ROBERT|last=DILLON|date=14 September 2011}} His contract was set aside, but he continued his rehab and training with the club.

On 12 October 2012, Culina signed with A-League club Sydney FC.{{cite web |url=http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/Jason-Culina-signs-with-Sydney-FC/50081 |title=Jason Culina signs with Sydney FC - Football Australia 2011 |access-date=2012-10-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013191536/http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/jason-culina-signs-with-sydney-fc/50081 |archive-date=13 October 2012}} However, he lasted less than a year with the club, parting ways with the club in February 2013 after a disagreement with manager Frank Farina.{{cite web|url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1140460/Sydney-FC-parts-ways-with-Culina|title=Sydney FC parts ways with Culina}} Culina announced his retirement on 18 June 2013 at a Football Federation Australia function.{{cite web|url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1156521/Injury-plagued-Culina-calls-it-quits/|title=Injury-plagued Culina calls it quits}}

Coaching career

In 2015, Culina joined the King's School football coaching staff, helping with the school's first team. In 2016, Culina moved to St Joseph's College, and was the college's technical director of football and coach of the First XI.

On 16 August 2017, Culina was appointed head coach of Sydney United 58 after Mark Rudan resigned{{cite news|url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com.au/news/jason-culina-named-sydney-united-coach-471003|title=Jason Culina named Sydney United Coach|newspaper=FourFourTwo|date=16 August 2017}} Culina announced his resignation from the role eight games into the season, with four wins and four losses to his side's name.{{cite web | url=https://nplnsw.com.au/2018/04/30/jason-culina-resigns-sydney-united-58-head-coach/ | title=Jason Culina resigns as Sydney United 58 head coach | date=30 April 2018 }}

Culina is now coach of Sydney United 58 FC under 12's.{{Cite web |title=Jason Culina named Sydney United coach |url=https://www.ftbl.com.au/news/jason-culina-named-sydney-united-coach-471003 |access-date=2024-02-05 |website=FTBL}}

On 10 August 2023 Culina joined Western Sydney Wanderers as their Head of Academy Coaches.{{cite news|url=https://keepup.com.au/news/womens-world-cup-news-england-lionesses-a-league-central-coast-mariners-western-sydney-wanderers-jason-culina/|title=The Wanderers land a Socceroo legend|newspaper=KEEPUP|date=10 August 2023}}

International career

File:Jason Culina.jpg

Culina made his debut for the Australia national team against South Africa in 2005.{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/Soccer/Culina-poised-for-Socceroo-callup/2005/01/27/1106415730748.html |title=Culina poised for Socceroo call-up |work=The Age|date=28 January 2005 }} He became a regular starter for the Socceroos under head coach Guus Hiddink, who was also his club coach at PSV.{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/football/hiddink-keeps-culina-out-of-firing-line/2005/10/31/1130720482640.html |title=Hiddink keeps Culina out of firing line |work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=November 2005 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/soccerfeatures/young-socceroo-takes-slow-boat-to-success/2005/11/12/1131578275408.html |title=Young Socceroo takes slow boat to success |work=The Age|date=13 November 2005 }} His first international goal came in September 2005, against the Solomon Islands in Sydney.{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/football/hiddink-era-starts-in-style-for-socceroos/2005/09/03/1125302782074.html |title=Hiddink era starts in style for Socceroos |work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=3 September 2005 }} Culina played in both legs of the World Cup play-off against Uruguay where Australia qualified for the 2006 World Cup following a dramatic penalty shoot-out. He was selected in the Australian squad for the World Cup, held in Germany, and started all four of Australia's matches.{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/world-cup-2006/from-reserve-football-to-a-dutch-title-and-the-world-cup-and-itsall-thanks-to-guus/2006/05/11/1146940675223.html |title=From reserve football to Dutch title and World Cup |work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}

On 3 March 2010, Culina was named captain of Australia for the first time, in an AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Indonesia,{{cite web|url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/socceroos/news/972652/Culina-honoured-by-captaincy-nod |title=Culina honoured by captaincy nod |publisher=Theworldgame.sbs.com.au |date=3 March 2010 }} a 1–0 victory. On 18 June 2013, he announced his official international retirement at a function held before Australia's World Cup qualifier against Iraq.

Personal life

Culina is the youngest son of former Sydney FC and Newcastle Jets coach Branko Culina. He is of Croatian descent.{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/football/family-matters/2008/07/05/1214951114399.html |title=Family Matters |work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=6 July 2008 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/aussie-update/a-game-to-embrace-not-divide-our-loyalties/2006/06/21/1150845246001.html |title=A game to embrace, not divide, our loyalties |work=The Age|date=22 June 2006 }}

On 5 February 2007, Culina and his wife Terri welcomed their first child, a boy named Roman.{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/football/culina-at-home-with-pressure/2007/05/17/1178995320827.html |title=Culina at home with the pressure |work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=18 May 2007 }} His son Roman, is also a footballer, who currently plays for the Western Sydney Wanderers NPL NSW squad.{{cite web |last1=Wanderers |first1=Western Sydney |title=Youth |url=https://wswanderersfc.com.au/teams/first-grade/ |website=Western Sydney Wanderers Official Website |publisher=Western Sydney Wanderers |access-date=12 April 2024}}

Career statistics

=Club=

Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="2"\|League !colspan="2"\|Cup !colspan="2"\|Continental !colspan="3"\|Total
rowspan="3"\|Sydney United \|1996–97 \|6	0	colspan="2"\|–	colspan="2"\|–	6	0
1997–98 \|26	1	colspan="2"\|–	colspan="2"\|–	26	1
Total !32	1	0	0	0	0	32	1
Sydney Olympic \|1998–99 \|20	1	colspan="2"\|–	colspan="2"\|–	20	1
rowspan="4"\|Ajax \|1999–00 \|0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
2001–02 \|0	0	4	0	0	0	4	0
2003–04 \|3	0	2	0	2	0	7	0
Total !3	0	6	0	2	0	11	0
Germinal Beerschot (loan) \|2000–01 \|12	1	4	2	colspan="2"\|–	16	3
De Graafschap (loan) \|2002–03 \|24	1	4	2	colspan="2"\|–	28	3
rowspan="3"\|Twente \|2004–05 \|32	11	2	0	colspan="2"\|–	34	11
2005–06 \|6	1	0	0	colspan="2"\|–	6	1
Total !38	12	2	0	0	0	40	12
rowspan="5"\|PSV \|2005–06 \|23	0	4	2	2	0	29	2
2006–07 \|28	1	5	1	8	0	41	2
2007–08 \|18	1	3	0	4	0	25	1
2008–09 \|29	1	4	0	6	0	39	1
Total !98	3	16	3	20	0	134	6
rowspan="3"\|Gold Coast United \|2009–10 \|26	3	colspan="2"\|–	0	0	26	3
2010–11 \|18	5	colspan="2"\|–	0	0	18	5
Total !44	8	0	0	0	0	44	8
Newcastle Jets \|2011–12 \|0	0	colspan="2"\|–	0	0	0	0
Sydney FC \|2012–13 \|8	2	colspan="2"\|–	0	0	8	2
colspan="2"\|Career total !279	29	32	7	22	0	333	36

=International=

:Score and result list Australia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after Culina goal.

class="wikitable sortable" \|+ International goal scored by Jason Culina
scope="col"\|No. !scope="col"\|Date !scope="col"\|Venue !scope="col"\|Opponent !scope="col"\|Score !scope="col"\|Result !scope="col"\|Competition
style="text-align:center"\|1	3 September 2005	Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, Australia	{{fb\|Solomon Islands}}	style="text-align:center"\|7–0	2006 FIFA World Cup qualification

class="wikitable sortable"

|+ International goal scored by Jason Culina

scope="col"|No.

!scope="col"|Date

!scope="col"|Venue

!scope="col"|Opponent

!scope="col"|Score

!scope="col"|Result

!scope="col"|Competition

style="text-align:center"|1

3 September 2005

Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, Australia

style="text-align:center"|7–0

2006 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Ajax

PSV

Australia

AFC Asian Cup: runner-up 2011{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/team/squad/_/id/628/league/AFC.ASIAN.CUP/season/2011|title=AFC Asian Cup 2011, Australian Squad|access-date=October 14, 2024}}

Individual

Gold Coast United Player of the Year: 2009–10

References

External links

{{Official website|http://www.jasonculina.com}}
[https://web.archive.org/web/20110220062830/http://www.goldcoastunited.com.au/default.aspx?s=aleague_profile&pid=90&tid=282 Gold Coast United profile]
[http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Players/C/CU.html Oz Football profile]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20060822025220/http://migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/worldcup/family-culina.shtml Migration Heritage Centre feature on Culina family]

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Category:1980 births

Category:Living people

Category:Australian people of Croatian descent

Category:Soccer players from Melbourne

Category:Australian expatriate sportspeople in Belgium