Milan Ivanović
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Milan Ivanovic (born 21 December 1960 in Sivac, Serbia) is a former captain of the Australian national football (soccer) team and after a long and storied career (71 caps, 59 "A" Internationals) became of one of its most capped players.
Nicknamed "The Surgeon" for his ability to cut out the opposition's attacks and launch into an incisive midfield run, the classy, composed sweeper started his career with Red Star Belgrade culminating in a European Champions Cup encounter against A.C. Milan.
After stints with OFK Belgrade and Radnicki Nis, he emigrated to Australia and on arrival in 1989 he joined Adelaide City in the National Soccer League where he formed a formidable partnership with Alex Tobin that became the mainstay of the Adelaide City and Socceroo defence that resulted in two national titles in 1991/2 and 1993/4, cementing his legendary status.
But perhaps he will best be remembered for a game he didn't play in, the World Cup qualfying match against Iran in 1997. Having secured a 1-1 draw in the first leg Iran, the Socceroos were leading 2-0 late into the return match when Iran scored 2 goals in quick succession, allowing them to qualify for the World Cup on the away-goals rule.
Many people believe that had Ivanovic been playing, the Socceroos would have qualified instead.
He played his last game for the Socceroos in 1998.
[edit] Honours
- 1990/91 winner of Johnny Warren Medal for NSL Player of the Year
- Inducted to Football Federation Australia's "Hall Of Champions" - 2003
[edit] External links
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