John Kosmina

Kosmina's father was from Poland and came to Australia after World War II. Kosmina's family lived in Port Adelaide, in a heavily Polish community. Kosmina was pushed into football by his father who worked in football.{{Citation| year =2021| title = John Kosmina: Socceroo legend talks about Sydney City, the NSL and more with Sasha Pete | publisher=Sasha Pete| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mbA_vI4B3g| access-date = 13 March 2023}}

Kosmina is of Polish Australian ethnicity. He played for Polonia and then West Adelaide. The move offended some people in the community but Kosmina had wanted to play at a higher level. He then played for the English club, Arsenal in February 1978. However, he only played one first-team league game for the Gunners (as a substitute against Leeds United on 19 August 1978), along with 3 appearances (2 as a substitute) in that season's UEFA cup. He was the first Australian to play for Arsenal. He returned to Australia in May 1979{{citation needed|date=May 2022}} as he said he was feeling homesick and felt like a novelty.{{Citation| year =2022| title = Football Legend: John Kosmina | publisher=Neds Australia| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=al3YGxlesV0| access-date = 13 March 2023}}

On his return, he went on to become one of the National Soccer League's most prolific scorers, with stints at Adelaide City, West Adelaide (for a second time), Sydney City, Sydney Olympic and A.P.I.A. Leichhardt Tigers before retiring in 1989. The most successful of these was with Sydney City, being part of their 1981 and 1982 championship winning teams, as well as being the league's top scorer in 1982.{{citation needed|date=May 2022}}

Kosmina was captain of the Australian national football team, and helped the team win the Merlion Cup twice. He cited Peter Wilson as a player who had influenced his work as a captain.National Soccer Monthly, August 1985, Issue 4, publisher: National Soccer Monthly, published: 1985

During the 1985 season, CR Vasco da Gama toured Australia, playing against various teams in a series of games. Kosmina scored the winning goal in his team's game against Vasco de Gama, which helped Australia win the series and later cited it as one of the best goals he had ever scored.

After retiring, he began coaching the Warringah Dolphins in the New South Wales state leagues, before coaching NSL side Newcastle Breakers, followed by a stint at the Brisbane Strikers. Both stints were largely unsuccessful, his sides reaching the finals only once.

In 2003, he became the inaugural coach of Adelaide United. Kosmina coached United to an impressive 3rd in the final season of the NSL. Maintaining his job for the inaugural season of the A-League, Kosmina led his side to the Minor Premiership but a poor finals series saw them finish 3rd overall. The next season saw mixed results for Kosmina and Adelaide United.

Finishing 2nd on the table behind Melbourne Victory, Adelaide managed to reach the grand final, only to be thrashed 6–0. Kosmina's criticism of the refereeing of that match, coupled with the devastating loss and a touchline ban earlier during the season for a scuffle with Victory captain Kevin Muscat, saw him forced to resign by the Adelaide board.{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21268552-5001023,00.html|title=Kosmina sacked|author=David Davutovic|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=Australia|date=22 February 2007|access-date=31 January 2009}} Kosmina said that he felt that Muscat had thrown an elbow at him and said he had "lost it".

He was then appointed by Socceroos coach Graham Arnold as his assistant for the 2007 Asian Cup.

After the sacking of Branko Culina by the Sydney Football Club Board, Kosmina was confirmed on 24 October 2007 as the new Sydney FC coach.{{cite news |url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22640768-5000940,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121230204328/http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22640768-5000940,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 December 2012 |title=Sydney FC unveil Kosmina |date=24 October 2007 }} Since signing with Sydney FC Kosmina made an immediate impact; winning his first game with Sydney 3–2 against rivals Central Coast Mariners at the Sydney Football Stadium.

Sydney FC beat the LA Galaxy 5–3 at Sydney's Telstra Stadium in a friendly, and also won a thrilling 5–4 victory against the Central Coast Mariners at Bluetongue Stadium. Following Sydney FC's poor run in the 2008/2009 season (missing the finals for the first time), John Kosmina had his contract terminated in late January 2009.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/31/2479144.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131195512/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/31/2479144.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 January 2009|title=Kosmina parts ways with Sydney FC|publisher=ABC Online|date=31 January 2009|access-date=31 January 2009}}

He was announced the manager of the Adelaide Raiders, a semi-professional club playing in the FFSA Super League.{{cite web|url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/soccer/kosmina-aloisi-now-sa-coaches/story-e6frectc-1225878654761|title=Kosmina, Aloisi now SA coaches}} On 1 September 2011, it was announced he had signed as senior coach of FFSA Super League club Croydon Kings after more than 35 years away from the club.{{cite web| url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/soccer/kossies-back-to-where-it-started/story-e6frectc-1226127968772| title=Kossie's back to where it started| first=Val |last=Migliaccio| work=The Advertiser|location=Adelaide}} It was announced on 18 December 2011 that Croydon Kings had agreed to release Kosmina from his coaching contract so he could accept the Adelaide United manager position.{{cite web |url=http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/adelaideunited/news-display/Kosmina-takes-over-as-Reds-Coach/43705 |title=Latest Football Australia News |access-date=2011-12-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108002740/http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/adelaideunited/news-display/Kosmina-takes-over-as-Reds-Coach/43705 |archive-date=8 January 2012 }}

On 18 December 2011 he signed as caretaker coach with Adelaide United for the remainder of the 2011–12 A-League season.{{cite web|url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1086001/Adelaide-replaces-Coolen-with-Kosmina|title=Adelaide replaces Coolen with Kosmina|access-date=18 December 2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716061659/http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1086001/Adelaide-replaces-Coolen-with-Kosmina|archive-date=16 July 2012|url-status=dead}} On 22 March 2012 it was announced he had signed a one-year contract with the club to stay on for the 2012–13 A-League season.{{cite web |url=http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/adelaideunited/news-display/Kosmina-reappointed-as-Coach/46378 |title=Kosmina reappointed as Coach – Adelaide United FC 2011 |access-date=2012-07-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731181030/http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/adelaideunited/news-display/Kosmina-reappointed-as-Coach/46378 |archive-date=31 July 2012 }} On 28 January 2013 he stood down as manager of Adelaide United, citing a lack of trust at the club.{{cite web|url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/football/reports-john-kosmina-walks-out-on-adelaide-united/story-fnddhv0x-1226563323453|title=John Kosmina leaves Adelaide United because of lack of trust with management|work=The Advertiser|location=Adelaide| first=Richard |last=Earle}}

In August 2015, Kosmina was appointed senior coach and football leader at National Premier Leagues Queensland club Brisbane City, signing a three-year contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.brisbanecityfc.com.au/news/coaching-coup-as-brisbane-city-fc-signs-famed-coach-john-kosmina/|title=Coaching Coup as Brisbane City Fc Signs Famed Coach John Kosmina|publisher=Brisbane City FC|date=24 August 2015|access-date=31 January 2016|archive-date=30 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170430154621/https://www.brisbanecityfc.com.au/news/coaching-coup-as-brisbane-city-fc-signs-famed-coach-john-kosmina/|url-status=dead}} In November 2018, it was announced that he would join the coaching staff at St Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace, taking responsibility for the Open First and Second XI teams, as well as the Year 10 and 11 teams, as part of a partnership between the college and Brisbane City.{{Cite web |title=MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT – Brisbane City announce historic partnership with St Joseph's College Gregory Terrace |first=S |last=Smale |publisher=Brisbane City FC |date=10 November 2017 |access-date=31 December 2018 |url=https://www.brisbanecityfc.com.au/news/brisbane-city-announce-historic-partnership-with-st-josephs-college-gregory-terrace/ |archive-date=31 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231200307/https://www.brisbanecityfc.com.au/news/brisbane-city-announce-historic-partnership-with-st-josephs-college-gregory-terrace/ |url-status=dead }}

In November 2020, Brisbane Strikers announced that Kosmina would return to the club as senior coach,{{Cite web|last=FC|first=Brisbane Strikers|title=John Kosmina named Brisbane Strikers FC Senior Academy Head Coach|url=https://brisbanestrikersfc.com/home/f/john-kosmina-named-brisbane-strikers-fc-senior-academy-head-coach|access-date=2020-11-16|website=Brisbane Strikers FC|language=en-AU|archive-date=20 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420213545/https://brisbanestrikersfc.com/home/f/john-kosmina-named-brisbane-strikers-fc-senior-academy-head-coach|url-status=dead}} 17 years after he last coached the side. After a string of shocking results Kosmina was sacked by the club on Monday 24 May

On 24 May 2021, it was announced via a club statement on the club website that the Brisbane Strikers and Kosmina would be parting ways.{{Cite web|last=FC|first=Brisbane Strikers|title=Club Statement: Changes to Senior Coaching Structure|url=https://brisbanestrikersfc.com/home/f/club-statement-changes-to-senior-coaching-structure|access-date=2021-05-24|website=Brisbane Strikers FC|language=en-AU}} This decision came after a poor run of form which saw the Strikers not take a single point from their first ten games in the 2021 NPL Queensland Season.{{Cite web|title=Ladder for NPL Men's 2021|url=https://websites.sportstg.com/comp_info.cgi?c=0-9385-0-582640-0&a=LADDER|access-date=2021-05-24|website=GameDay|language=en}}

He occasionally appears on Fox Sports as a commentator and football analyst. Kosmina co-hosts a weekly Internet television show about football on Australia Live TV with Ross Aloisi, Two Up Front{{cite news|url=http://www.australialivetv.com/|title=Two Up Front|publisher=AustraliaLiveTV.com|access-date=25 November 2009|archive-date=31 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531044854/http://www.australialivetv.com/|url-status=dead}} and the episodes are on [http://www.AustraliaLiveTV.com AustraliaLiveTV.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531044854/http://www.australialivetv.com/ |date=31 May 2019 }}.

:Scores and results list goal tally first.

;Sydney City

• NSL Championship: 1981, 1982{{cite web|url=https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/teams-decade-mens-1981-1989|title=Teams of the Decade: 1981–1989|website=Socceroos.com.au|date=20 December 2013 }}
• NSL Cup: 1986

• FFA Hall of Fame: 1999{{cite web|url=http://wsportsandmedia.com.au/kossie-in-the-media/|title=KOSSIE IN THE MEDIA|website=W Sports and Media.com.au|access-date=11 February 2018|archive-date=11 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511192136/https://wsportsandmedia.com.au/kossie-in-the-media/|url-status=dead}}
• NSL Top Scorer: 1982{{cite web|url=https://www.arsenal.com/historic/players/john-kosmina|title=John Kosmina|website=Arsenal.com|date=20 July 2023 }}
• NSL Under 21 Player of the Year: 1977{{cite web|url=https://footballnsw.com.au/2013/10/11/npl-title-goes-on-the-line/|title=NPL TITLE GOES ON THE LINE|website=Football NSW.com.au|date=10 October 2013 }}

;Adelaide United

• A-League Premiership: 2005–2006

Kosmina Street in the Sydney suburb of Glenwood is named for him,{{cite news | first = Christine | last = O'Maley | title = Park is a goner | date = 20 January 2010 | publisher = Cumberland Newspapers | work = Blacktown Advocate | pages = 14 | quote = ...streets are named after well known football identities...}} along with Kosmina Crescent in the northern Adelaide suburb of Hillbank.

The award given to the player of the match in the National Premier Leagues Grand Final each year is named in his honour.

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/InsideFFA/default.aspx?s=insideffa_hof_champions_profile&id=656 FFA – Hall of Fame profile]{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110718121845/http://www.sydneyfc.com/default.aspx?s=sydfc_coachingstaff&pid=703 Sydney FC profile]
• [http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Players/K/KO.html Oz Football profile]
• [http://www.australialivetv.com/ Two Up Front] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531044854/http://www.australialivetv.com/ |date=31 May 2019 }}

{{NSL awards}}

{{Football Federation Australia Hall of Fame}}

{{Australia Squad 1988 Summer Olympics}}

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