Jason Culina
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Australian soccer player and coach

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

Club career

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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."[2]

On 14 January 2009, he was signed by Gold Coast United on a three-year contract, becoming the club's first marquee player.[3][4][5] 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.[6] On 22 February 2011, it was revealed Culina would join his father Branko Culina at Newcastle Jets.[7] Culina was injured long-term and missed the 2011–12 season.[8] 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.[9] 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.[10] Culina announced his retirement on 18 June 2013 at a Football Federation Australia function.[11]

Coaching career

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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[12] Culina announced his resignation from the role eight games into the season, with four wins and four losses to his side's name.[13]

Culina is now coach of Sydney United 58 FC under 12's.[14]

On August 10th, 2023, Culina joined Western Sydney Wanderers as their Head of Academy Coaches.[15]

International career

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Culina made his debut for the Australia national team against South Africa in 2005.[16] He became a regular starter for the Socceroos under head coach Guus Hiddink, who was also his club coach at PSV.[17][18] His first international goal came in September 2005, against the Solomon Islands in Sydney.[19] 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.[20]

On 3 March 2010, Culina was named captain of Australia for the first time, in an AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Indonesia,[21] 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

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Culina is the youngest son of former Sydney FC and Newcastle Jets coach Branko Culina. He is of Croatian descent.[22][23]

On 5 February 2007, Culina and his wife Terri welcomed their first child, a boy named Roman.[24] His son Roman, is also a footballer, who currently plays for the Western Sydney Wanderers NPL NSW squad.[25]

Career statistics

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Club

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Appearances and goals by club, season and competition Club Season League Cup Continental Total Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Sydney United 1996–97 6 0 – – 6 0 1997–98 26 1 – – 26 1 Total 32 1 0 0 0 0 32 1 Sydney Olympic 1998–99 20 1 – – 20 1 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 – 16 3 De Graafschap (loan) 2002–03 24 1 4 2 – 28 3 Twente 2004–05 32 11 2 0 – 34 11 2005–06 6 1 0 0 – 6 1 Total 38 12 2 0 0 0 40 12 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 Gold Coast United 2009–10 26 3 – 0 0 26 3 2010–11 18 5 – 0 0 18 5 Total 44 8 0 0 0 0 44 8 Newcastle Jets 2011–12 0 0 – 0 0 0 0 Sydney FC 2012–13 8 2 – 0 0 8 2 Career total 279 29 32 7 22 0 333 36

International

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

International goal scored by Jason Culina No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1 3 September 2005 Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, Australia Solomon Islands 7–0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

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Ajax

KNVB Cup: 2001–02

Eredivisie: 2003–04

PSV

Eredivisie: 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08

Russian Railways Cup: 2007

Johan Cruyff Shield: 2008

Individual

Gold Coast United Player of the Year: 2009–10

References

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