Jump to content

User:LRD NO/sandbox: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
←Replaced content with '{{User sandbox}} <!-- EDIT BELOW THIS LINE -->'
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
{{User sandbox}}
{{User sandbox}}
<!-- EDIT BELOW THIS LINE -->
<!-- EDIT BELOW THIS LINE -->

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2013}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Aleksandar Đurić
| image = Aleksduric.jpg
| caption = Đurić playing for the Singapore national team
| fullname =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1970|08|12}} <ref name=profile>{{cite web| url=http://www.sleague.com/clubs-profile/tampines/player-profile?JerseyNo=9| title=Player profile – Aleksandar Duric| publisher=S.League| accessdate=29 March 2014}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Doboj]], [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|SFR Yugoslavia]]
| height = {{convert|1.92|m|abbr=on}} <ref name=profile />
| currentclub = [[Tampines Rovers FC|Tampines Rovers]]
| clubnumber = 9
| position = [[Forward (association football)|Striker]]
| youthyears1 = 1984–1987 | youthclubs1 = [[FK Sloga Doboj|Sloga Doboj]]
| years1 = 1992–1994 | clubs1 = Szeged LC
| caps1 = - | goals1 = -
| years2 = 1994 | clubs2 = [[South Melbourne FC|South Melbourne]]
| caps2 = - | goals2 = -
| years3 = 1995 | clubs3 = [[Port Melbourne Sharks]]<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.weltfussball.com/transfers/aus-a-league-1994-1995/#mannschaft_8| title=South Melbourne Hellas - Transfers 1994/1995| website=weltfussball.com| accessdate=7 April 2014}}</ref>
| caps3 = - | goals3 = -
| years4 = 1995–1996 | clubs4 = [[South Melbourne FC|South Melbourne]]<ref name=aleague9596>{{cite web| url=http://www.weltfussball.com/transfers/aus-a-league-1995-1996/#mannschaft_7| title=South Melbourne Hellas - Transfers 1995/1996| website=weltfussball.com| accessdate=7 April 2014}}</ref>
| caps4 = 5 | goals4 = 0
| years5 = 1996 | clubs5 = [[Port Melbourne Sharks]]<ref name=aleague9596 /><ref>{{cite web| author=Greg Stock| url=http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/1996Goals.html| title=1996 Victorian State League Leading Goalscorers| accessdate=28 March 2014}}</ref>
| caps5 = ? | goals5 = 12
| years6 = 1996-1997 | clubs6 = [[Gippsland Falcons]]<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.weltfussball.com/transfers/aus-a-league-1996-1997/#mannschaft_4| title=Gippsland Falcons - Transfers 1996/1997| website=weltfussball.com| accessdate=7 April 2014}}</ref>
| caps6 = 15 | goals6 = 4
| years7 = 1997 | clubs7 = [[Tianjin Locomotive|Locomotive Shanshan]]
| caps7 = - | goals7 = -
| years8 = 1997–1998 | clubs8 = [[West Adelaide SC|West Adelaide]]
| caps8 = 8 | goals8 = 3
| years9 = 1998 | clubs9 = [[Heidelberg United]]<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.weltfussball.com/transfers/aus-a-league-1997-1998/#mannschaft_12| title=West Adelaide Sharks - Transfers 1997/1998| website=weltfussball.com| accessdate=7 April 2014}}</ref>
| caps9 = 8 | goals9 = 2
| years10 = 1998–1999 | clubs10 = [[West Adelaide SC|West Adelaide]]<ref name=aleague9899>{{cite web| url=http://www.weltfussball.com/transfers/aus-a-league-1998-1999/#mannschaft_1| title=Adelaide Sharks - Transfers 1998/1999| website=weltfussball.com| accessdate=7 April 2014}}</ref>
| caps10 = 27 | goals10 = 5
| years11 = 1999 | clubs11 = [[Tanjong Pagar United]]<ref name=aleague9899 />
| caps11 = 22 | goals11 = 12
| years12 = 1999–2000 | clubs12 = [[Marconi Stallions]]<ref name=marconi>{{cite web| url=http://www.weltfussball.com/transfers/aus-a-league-1999-2000/#mannschaft_6| title=Marconi-Fairfield Stallions - Transfers 1999/2000| website=weltfussball.com| accessdate=7 April 2014}}</ref>
| caps12 = 15 | goals12 = 2
| years13 = 2000 | clubs13 = [[Sydney Olympic]]<ref name=marconi />
| caps13 = 3 | goals13 = 0
| years14 = 2000 | clubs14 = [[Home United FC|Home United]]
| caps14 = 10 | goals14 = 6
| years15 = 2001–2004 | clubs15 = [[Geylang United FC|Geylang United]]
| caps15 = 126 | goals15 = 98
| years16 = 2005–2009 | clubs16 = [[Singapore Armed Forces Football Club|Singapore Armed Forces]]
| caps16 = 148 | goals16 = 129
| years17 = 2010– | clubs17 = [[Tampines Rovers FC|Tampines Rovers]]
| caps17 = 121 | goals17 = 76
| manageryears1 = 2013- | managerclubs1 = [[Tampines Rovers]] (fitness coach)
| nationalyears1 = 2007–2012
| nationalteam1 = [[Singapore national football team|Singapore]]<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/200/875/9/index.html| title=Duric: Lions must learn Asian lessons| publisher=FIFA| accessdate=6 April 2014}}</ref>
| nationalcaps1 = 54
| nationalgoals1 = 27
| pcupdate = 5 April 2014
| ntupdate = 02:33, 23 December 2012 (UTC)
}}

'''Aleksandar Đurić''' ([[Serbian Cyrillic]]: Александар Ђурић; born 12 August 1970) is a [[Singapore]]an professional [[association football|footballer]] of [[Serbia]]n descent.<ref name=scott /> He is a player-[[coach (sport)|coach]] for [[S.League]] club [[Tampines Rovers FC|Tampines Rovers]] and was a member of the [[Singapore national football team|Singapore national team]]. He is noted for being a prolific [[forward (association football)|striker]] with strong physical presence.<ref name=callup /><ref name=fifa /> His professional approach to his fitness and a disciplined lifestyle contributed to extending a career spanning over two decades.<ref name=final />

Đurić was junior kayaking champion of Yugoslavia when he was 15 and was ranked 8th in the world at 17. He represented [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] in the [[Canoeing at the 1992 Summer Olympics – Men's C-1 500 metres|C-1 500m canoeing event]] the [[1992 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.okbih.ba/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=152&Itemid=11&lang=en| title=The biggest accomp.| publisher=Olympic Committee of Bosnia & Herzegovina| accessdate=10 April 2014}}</ref>

After the Olympics, he returned to Hungary to resume his football career. In 1999, he signed for [[Tanjong Pagar United]] in the [[S.League]] where he was converted to a striker for the first time in his career. He won trophies with subsequent clubs [[Home United]], [[Geylang United]], [[Singapore Armed Forces FC|Singapore Armed Forces]] and [[Tampines Rovers]]. He is the most successful player in S.League history, having won eight league titles and three [[Singapore Cup]]s in 16 seasons, amassing three Player of the Year and four top scorer awards on the way to becoming the league's all-time top scorer.

At international level, he debuted for {{nft|Singapore}} at the age of 37 years and 89 days in 2007, winning the [[2012 ASEAN Football Championship]]. He retired from international football in December 2012.

In 2013, he assumed his new duties as full-time fitness coach at his club Tampines Rovers. He will retire from his playing career at the age of 44 after the 2014 season.

== Club career ==
=== Early life ===
Đurić was born in [[Lipac]] in the outskirts of [[Doboj]], [[Bosnia]].<ref name=tipura>{{cite web| url=http://www.tipura.com/nasenovine/clanci/alex_djuric.htm| title=Dobojlija – Najbolji Fudbaler U Singapuru |language=Serbian| website=Tipura.com}}</ref> The childhood supporter of [[Red Star Belgrade]] spent his formative years in the youth teams of his hometown club [[FK Sloga Doboj]] as a [[goalkeeper (association football)|goalkeeper]] and later, as a [[midfield (association football)|midfielder]].<ref name=tipura /><ref name=busmir>{{cite web| author=Rick Olivares| url=http://bleachersbrew.blogspot.sg/2012/07/bleachers-brew-318-changing-tides-of.html| title=The changing tides of Aleksandar Duric| newspaper=Business Mirror| date=9 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title=Content with life| newspaper=Today| p=42| date=16 October 2006}}</ref> He also took up kayaking at the age of 12 at the advice of the doctor treating his growth disorder of the chest.<ref name=scott>{{cite web| author=Scott McIntyre| url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/scott-mcIntyre/blog/1106215/An-amazinf-football-tale| title=An amazing football tale| accessdate=27 March 2014}}</ref><ref name=fifa>{{cite web| url=http://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/128/613/0/index.html| title=Duric: I just love football| publisher=FIFA| accessdate=27 March 2014}}</ref> He became junior kayaking champion of [[Yugoslavia]] when he was 15 and by age 17, he was ranked 8th in the world.<ref name=mh>{{cite web| url=http://www.menshealth.com.sg/guy-wisdom/mh-interview-aleksandar-duric| title=MH Interview: Aleksandar Duric| website=MensHealth.com.sg| accessdate=25 March 2014}}</ref><ref name=red />

Đurić was drafted into the military at the age of 17 where he became an officer during his service. With impending [[Bosnian War|civil war]], his father wanted either him or his brother to leave the country in order to preserve the family line.<ref name=scott /> He was instructed to leave his hometown as he was younger and a sportsman; his brother Milan stayed behind, fighting in the war for close to five years.<ref name=scott /> With just 300 Deutsche Marks on him, he left for Serbia where he played in the second division for one season and then Sweden, where he trained with [[AIK Solna]] and was offered refugee status which he rejected.<ref name=scott /> The [[breakup of Yugoslavia]] left him stranded in Hungary without a recognised passport. He wandered through the cafes and restaurants of Szeged before a family offered him accommodation and a trial at local club Szeged LC in the second tier of the Hungarian football league.<ref name=scott />

=== 1992 Summer Olympics ===
In 1992, Đurić received an invitation from the newly formed Bosnian Olympic Committee to compete for [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] in the [[Canoeing at the 1992 Summer Olympics – Men's C-1 500 metres|C-1 500 m]] canoeing event at the [[1992 Summer Olympics]] in Barcelona.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.klix.ba/sport/nogomet/najbolji-golgeter-na-svijetu-zapravo-je-bosanski-kajakas/120505094| title=Najbolji golgeter na svijetu zapravo je bosanski kajakaš |language=bs| website=Klix}}</ref> Despite having not trained for two years and the ongoing conflict between the Serbs and the Bosnians, he accepted the request as he ultimately decided he was first and foremost a sportsman.<ref name=lenton /> As the Bosnian Olympic Committee could not afford to pay for his travel, he had to hitch-hike his way over 1,500&nbsp;km to Barcelona. With only a letter from the Olympic Committee and no valid passport, he managed to get a truck ride to the Austrian border but was initially refused passage by a disbelieving immigration officer who thought he was a refugee seeking asylum.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/20808271| title=End of a long and winding road for Singapore's Aleksandar Duric| publisher=BBC Sport| accessdate=26 March 2014}}</ref> After convincing them of his credentials with a phone call to the Olympic Committee, the border guards helped him persuade someone to take him half-way to Slovenia, where he managed to get another ride to the airport and flew to Barcelona.<ref name=lenton /> A two-day trek after, he made it to the Summer Olympics where he was one of Bosnia's ten debuting competitors. He had to borrow equipment from the Italian and Spanish teams to complete in the event<ref name=espn>{{cite news| author=Jason Dasey| url=http://espnfc.com/columns/story?id=596651&cc=4716| title=Class is permanent| publisher=ESPN| accessdate=28 March 2014}}</ref> and was eliminated in the [[repechage]]s. After the Olympics, he resumed his football career with Szeged LC.<ref name=fifa />

=== Australia and Singapore ===
An associate of Đurić helped to arrange for a trial in Australia with [[Frank Arok]], a retired Serbian footballer of Hungarian descent and former [[Australia national association football team|Australia]] coach. In 1994, he moved to [[South Melbourne Hellas]] where he played as a [[defender (association football)|defender]].<ref name=scott /><ref name=afc /> He also played for other [[National Soccer League]] clubs such as [[Port Melbourne Sharks]], [[Gippsland Falcons]], [[Heidelberg United]], [[West Adelaide SC|West Adelaide]] and had a brief stint with Chinese side [[Jingtie Locomotive F.C.|Locomotive Shanshan]] in 1997.

In 1999, Đurić’s club [[West Adelaide SC|West Adelaide]] went bankrupt.<ref name=red4>{{cite web| url=http://www.redsports.sg/2008/10/02/aleksandar-duric-football-part-4/| title=Interview with Aleksandar Duric (Part 4)| website=RedSports.sg| accessdate=26 March 2014}}</ref> He received offers from Hong Kong and Singapore but chose to move to the latter where he began his [[S.League]] career with [[Tanjong Pagar United]].<ref name=red4 /> At this stage of his career, he had been playing on the left flank as a [[winger (association football)|winger]] or [[left-back]].<ref name=red4 /> His coach Tohari Paijan converted the 6'4" player into a striker as the club finished third.<ref name=fifa />

Đurić returned to Australia at the end of the season and obtained Australian citizenship in the hope of representing the [[Australia national football team|Socceroos]].<ref name=espn /> He played for Sydney-based [[Marconi Stallions FC|Marconi Stallions]], reverting to his left midfield position.<ref>{{cite news| title=Jaguars lose twin strikers| newspaper=The Straits Times| p=100| date=19 November 1999}}</ref>

In June 2000, Đurić moved permanently to Singapore with [[Home United]], playing as a striker again.<ref>{{cite news| title=Former Jaguar signs for Home| newspaper=The Straits Times| p=98| date=27 May 2000}}</ref> He scored 11 goals in all competitions for his new club as he won the 2000 Singapore Cup in front of a 45,000 crowd at the [[National Stadium, Singapore|National Stadium]] in his only season with the Protectors.<ref>{{cite news| author=Ernest Luis| title=No SAFFC double as Cup goes Home| newspaper=The Straits Times| p=54| date=2 October 2000}}</ref>

=== Geylang United ===
Đurić signed on with [[Geylang United]] in 2001 where he formed a strong understanding with forward [[Mohd Noor Ali]], a partnership they would later replicate at [[Singapore Armed Forces FC|Singapore Armed Forces]] and credit with creating "at least half of all my goals".<ref>{{cite news| author=Shamir Osman| title=Geylang won't do SAFFC any favours| newspaper=Today| p=56| date=9 September 2009}}</ref> Geylang won their first S.League title in five years, with Đurić scoring 37 goals that season. He was rewarded with a 3-year contract extension and go on to score 98 goals in 126 league games over four seasons. In 2003, he joined an exclusive club of S.League players who have scored 100 domestic goals.<ref>{{cite news| title=The fourth Mr 100| newspaper=The Straits Times| p=7| date=10 July 2003}}</ref><ref name=milestone group=nb />

With the success of the [[2002 FIFA World Cup]] in Japan and South Korea, the [[Asian Football Confederation|AFC]] revamped their continental competition by introducing the [[AFC Champions League]] and the [[AFC Cup]]. Geylang as [[2001 S.League]] winners participated in the [[2002–03 AFC Champions League qualification]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://s-leaguefootball.blogspot.sg/2009/10/200203-afc-champions-league.html| title=2002/03 AFC Champions League| website=S-league: Facts & Figures| accessdate=29 March 2014}}</ref> They met [[DPMM FC|DPMM]] in the second round of the Eastern qualifying zone where Đurić scored once in the home leg and twice in the away leg as Geylang progressed 7-0 on aggregate. They met [[Chinese Jia-A League]] club [[Shanghai Shenhua]] in the final qualifying stage, exiting 5-1 on aggregate with Đurić scoring a consolation goal in the second leg.

Geylang entered the [[2004 AFC Cup|inaugural AFC Cup]] as [[2003 S.League]] runners-up. Đurić scored in both legs of the quarter-finals as Geylang United knocked [[Perak FA|Perak]] out of the competition.<ref>{{cite news| author=Alvin Chua| title=High-flying Eagles stun Perak| newspaper=Today| p=34| date=15 September 2004}}</ref> He scored a total of 5 goals in the competition as Geylang made the semi-finals, missing out on the finals with a 1-0 defeat to [[Al-Wahda SC Damascus|Al-Wahda]] in the second leg after a 1-1 draw in the away leg.<ref>{{cite news| author=Marc Lim| title=A match away from $250,000| newspaper=The Straits Times| p=H11| date=26 October 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| author=Marc Lim| title=Historic cup final hopes in tatters after 12 short minutes| newspaper=The Straits Times| p=13| date=27 October 2004}}</ref>

=== Singapore Armed Forces ===
Đurić's goal-scoring exploits did not escape the league's most successful side, [[Singapore Armed Forces FC|Singapore Armed Forces]], which signed him in November 2004.<ref>{{cite news| title=Duric leaves Geylang for SAFFC| newspaper=The Straits Times| p=14| date=3 November 2004}}</ref> He hit the form of his career, scoring 129 goals in just 148 league appearances as he guided the club to their most successful era. The Warriors won the league four times, achieving the S.League and Singapore Cup double in 2007 and 2008 as he finished league top-scorer three times in 2007<ref name=awards07 />, 2008<ref name=awards08 /> and 2009. Đurić's prolific form was recognised with the S.League Player of the Year award in 2007<ref name=awards07>{{cite web| url=http://www.sleague.com/news-features/news/archive/-duric-bags-four-trophies-at-ntuc-income-yeo's-awards-night| title=Duric bags four trophies at NTUC Income-Yeo's awards night| publisher=sleague.com| accessdate=12 April 2014}}</ref> and 2008<ref name=awards08>{{cite web| url=http://www.sleague.com/news-features/news/archive/-duric-wins-player-of-the-year| title=Duric wins player of the year| publisher=sleague.com| accessdate=12 April 2014}}</ref>. He scored his 200th domestic goal with a 5-minute hat-trick over [[Liaoning Guangyuan]] on 9 July 2007<ref>{{cite news| author=Darren Lai| title=Hat-trick hero Duric joins the 200-goal club| newspaper=Today| p=42| date=10 July 2007}}</ref><ref name=milestone group=nb /> and broke former Warriors striker [[Mirko Grabovac]]'s record of 244 goals in local competitions with a brace in a 2-2 draw with ex-club Geylang United on his 38th brithday.<ref>{{cite news| author=Shamir Osman| title=A bittersweet birthday for Duric| newspaper=Today| p=43| date=13 August 2008}}</ref>

Singapore Armed Forces were drawn against [[Kashima Antlers]], [[Suwon Samsung Bluewings]] and [[Shanghai Shenghua]] for the group stage of the [[2009 AFC Champions League]]. He scored his first goal in the [[AFC Champions League]] group stage against Suwon Bluewings on 19 May 2009. The Warriors failed to make it to the next round, ending bottom of the group with 5 losses and a draw.

In September 2009, Đuric initially agreed to join [[Sriwijaya FC|Sriwijaya]] of the [[Indonesian Super League]] for a reported US$110,000 a season contract.<ref name=stduric>{{cite news| author=Aleksandar Duric| url=http://www.straitstimes.com/the-big-story/epl-20132014/story/heat-managers-when-transfers-go-awry-20130827| title=Heat on managers when transfers go awry| newspaper=The Straits Times| date=27 August 2013}}</ref> However, a month later, he told the press that he declined the offer in the end because Sriwijaya tried to change the terms of the contract which was mutually agreed upon.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.redsports.sg/2009/10/26/aleksandar-duric-srijwijaya-football/| title=Aleksandar Duric not going to Indonesia Super League| website=RedSports.sg| accessdate=29 March 2014}}</ref> Had he signed for Sriwijaya, he would have joined fellow national team players [[Precious Emuejeraye]], [[Baihakki Khaizan]], [[Mustafić Fahrudin]], [[Noh Alam Shah]] and [[Muhammad Ridhuan]] in an exodus from the S.League to the Indonesian leagues.

=== Tampines Rovers ===
Đuric's relationship with Singapore Armed Forces had been damaged with his attempted transfer to Sriwijaya.<ref name=stduric /> Following their decision not to offer him a new contract, the evergreen striker signed for [[Tampines Rovers]] in 2010.<ref>{{cite news| author=Joyce Lim| url=http://news.asiaone.com/News/The+New+Paper/Story/A1Story20091110-178899.html| title=Top scorer, thrice in a row| newspaper=The New Paper| date=10 November 2009}}</ref> He scored 20 league goals in his first season there as the club finished in second place. He returned to winning ways after the first season, clinching three consecutive S.League titles with Tampines Rovers from 2011 to 2013. He became the first player to reach a milestone 300th goal on 1 September 2010 with a brace against [[Beijing Guoan Talent FC|Beijing Guoan Talent]].<ref name=milestone group=nb>Prior to the 2011 season, milestone goals include both [[S.League]] and [[Singapore Cup]] goals. The FAS amended it to include only league goals in 2011. [http://news.asiaone.com/news/sports/could-indra-sahdan-win-same-award-twice]</ref> With 328 goals in 444 top division club appearances, Đuric was ranked by the [[International Federation of Football History and Statistics]] (IFFHS) as the world top scorer in July 2011.<ref name=aljaz>{{cite web| author=Jason Dasey| url=http://www.aljazeera.com/sport/football/2011/08/201187813449970.html| title=Striker's hard road to the top| website=Al Jazeera| date=7 August 2011}}</ref> He picked up his third Player of the Year award in 2012<ref>{{cite news| author=Fabius Chen| url=http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/sports/story/duric-s-league-player-the-year-20121111| title=Duric named S-League Player of the Year for third time| newspaper=The Straits Times| date=11 November 2012}}</ref> and finished joint league top-scorer with [[Moon Soon-Ho]] in 2013.

Đurić announced his decision to quit professional football at the end of the [[2014 S.League|2014 season]], having been convinced by the club management to postpone his initial plans to retire at the end of 2012.<ref name=busmir /><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.goal.com/en-sg/news/5098/sleague/2013/11/03/4378908/duric-confirms-retirement-at-end-of-next-season| title=Duric confirms retirement at end of next season| website=Goal.com| accessdate=25 March 2014}}</ref> The veteran player relinquished his captaincy to teammate [[Mustafić Fahrudin]], coincidentally another naturalised Singaporean footballer of Serbian descent, in 2013.

Đurić started his final season having scored a record 378 domestic goals.<ref name=final>{{cite news| author=Wang Meng Meng| url=http://news.asiaone.com/news/sports/durics-last-hurrah-put-pride-back-s-league?page=0%2C0| title=Duric's last hurrah: 'Put pride back in S-League'| newspaper=The Sunday Times| date=25 February 2014}}</ref> Đurić's and Tampines' ambitions of reaching the [[2014 AFC Champions League]] proper ended at the [[2014 AFC Champions League qualifying play-off|first qualifying round]] to [[South China AA]]. Tampines dropped into the [[2014 AFC Cup]] accordingly.

== International career ==
It took Đurić three personal attempts before he received his Singaporean citizenship in 27 September 2007<ref>{{cite news| author=Wang Meng Meng| title=New Singaporean Duric could line up for Lions| newspaper=The Straits Times| p=60| date=28 September 2007}}</ref> as he was not on the [[Football Association of Singapore]]'s [[Foreign Sports Talent Scheme]].<ref name=red>{{cite web| url=http://www.redsports.sg/2008/09/19/aleksandar-duric-football/| title=Interview with Aleksandar Duric| website=RedSports.sg| accessdate=26 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title=Aleksandar the Great| newspaper=The Straits Times| p=46| date=1 October 2007}}</ref> Despite obtaining his Singapore passport for non-footballing reasons, coach [[Radojko Avramović]] called him up to the [[Singapore national football team|Singapore national team]] on 1 November 2007.<ref name=callup>{{cite news| author=Wang Meng Meng| title=Striker Duric gets call-up| newspaper=The Straits Times| p=58| date=2 November 2007}}</ref><ref name=afc>{{cite web| url=http://www.wsgworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/AFC-Quarterly-Issue-2-Apr-2013.pdf| title=End in sight for Tampines' Rover| publisher=AFC Quarterly (issue 2)| page=18| date=April 2013}}</ref> He made his international debut at the age of 37 years and 89 days against [[Tajikistan national football team|Tajikistan]] in the first leg of the second round of the [[Asian Football Confederation|AFC]] [[2010 World Cup]] qualifiers on 9 November, contributing with an immediate impact by scoring both goals in a 2–0 victory.<ref name=tjk>{{cite web| url=http://www.fas.org.sg/news/road-south-africa-duric-bags-brace-give-lions-advantage| title=Road to South Africa: Duric bags brace to give Lions advantage| publisher=FAS| accessdate=6 April 2014}}</ref> The plan had been to start Đurić on the bench but following a late thigh injury to attacking midfielder [[Shi Jiayi]], he was pushed into the starting eleven.<ref name=lenton>{{cite web| author=Richard Lenton| url=http://www.richardlenton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/EX-ProfileDuric.FebApr13.RL_.pdf| title=Aleksandar Duric| accessdate=27 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.fas.org.sg/news/road-south-africa-debutant-duric-just-two-good| title=Road to South Africa: Debutant Duric just two good| publisher=FAS| accessdate=25 March 2014}}</ref> The result coupled with a 1-1 draw in the second leg meant that Singapore progressed to the third round of the Asian Qualifying Tournament for the first time, where they were drawn against [[Saudi Arabia national football team|Saudi Arabia]], [[Lebanon national football team|Lebanon]] and [[Uzbekistan national football team|Uzbekistan]]. He continued his fine form on the international stage, bagging goals against Lebanon<ref name=leb>{{cite web| url=http://www.fas.org.sg/news/first-half-goals-put-lions-back-track| title=First-Half goals put Lions back on track| publisher=FAS| accessdate=6 April 2014}}</ref> and Uzbekistan<ref name=uzb /> as Singapore finished third in Group 4.

With the absence of regular captain [[Indra Sahdan]] and vice-captain [[Lionel Lewis]] for the friendly against [[Bahrain national football team|Bahrain]] on 28 May 2008, Đurić skippered Singapore for the first time, becoming the first ever foreign-born player to start a game as captain.<ref name=aljaz />

Đurić made his first [[ASEAN Football Championship]] in 2008 but was ruled out for the rest of the tournament after suffering a fibula injury in the opening match against [[Cambodia national football team|Cambodia]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.redsports.sg/2008/12/12/aleksandar-duric-surgery/| title=Surgery for footballer Aleksandar Duric goes smoothly| website=RedSports.sg| accessdate=8 April 2014}}</ref> He was in the Singapore squad for the 2010 edition but the team suffered an early exit at the group stage.

Đurić began the [[2012 ASEAN Football Championship|2012 tournament]] as second-choice forward but following an injury to midfielder [[Hariss Harun]], he was recalled into the first eleven at left midfield. With his last international goal coming against defending champions and arch-rivals [[Malaysia national football team|Malaysia]], he became the oldest goalscorer in the history of the competition.<ref name=afc /><ref name=affmas /> He retired from international football with a record of 27 goals in 54 international appearances in five years as Singapore won their fourth ASEAN title and Đurić his first international honours.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.tnp.sg/content/duric-its-bye-good| title=Duric: It's bye for good| newspaper=The New Paper| date=26 January 2013}}</ref>

== Coaching career ==
Đurić stated his intention to remain involved in Singapore football in a coaching capacity as he nears completing his 'A' coaching licence by the end of his playing career.<ref name=final /><ref name=busmir /> He has been Tampines Rovers' fitness coach since 2013, a job he has held full-time as he prepares to make the shift to backroom staff.<ref name=lenton />

== Personal life ==
Đurić's father worked for the railways in between playing semi-professional football. His mother was killed during an artillery attack on 9 August 1993, three days before his birthday. His father died of cancer at the age of 62 on 19 August 2000.<ref name=red /> Đurić only managed to see his father in almost 10 years, days before his death. He has an older brother, Milan.

Đurić met his wife Natasha in Melbourne in 1998. They married in January 2000.<ref name=red /> Their 3 children – eldest daughter Isabella Nina (born 2006) and sons Alessandro Hugo (born 2004) and Massimo Luca Monty (born 2010) – were all born in Singapore.<ref name=scott /><ref name=charity>{{cite news| author=Wang Meng Meng| url=http://news.asiaone.com/news/sports/family-and-charity-work-keep-duric-busy| title=Family and charity work keep Duric busy| newspaper=The Sunday Times| date=25 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| author=Mateusz Wozniak| url=http://www.balkan-football.com/artykuly/20-inne/182-biografia-aleksandar-duric.html| title=Aleksandar Durić - bohater Singapuru| website=BalkanFootball.com| language=Polish| accessdate=7 April 2014}}</ref>

Đurić lives in [[East Ledang]], [[Johor]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.tnp.sg/content/duric-set-partner-zerka-dream-attack| title=Duric set to partner Zerka in dream attack| newspaper=The New Paper| date=28 September 2013}}</ref> As part of his rigorous fitness regime, he runs 15&nbsp;km around his [[Johor Bahru]] neighbourhood every morning.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.tnp.sg/content/cant-stop-wont-stop| title=Can't stop, won't stop| newspaper=The New Paper| date=12 September 2013}}</ref> He does not drink, smoke or do late nights.<ref name=red /> He avoids chilli and greasy food like [[roti prata|prata]] and [[Hainanese chicken rice|chicken rice]], and keeps up with his grueling fitness regime even in the off-season.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://tampinesroversfc.com/aleksandar-duric-what-comes-next/| title=Aleksandar Duric- What comes next?| publisher=Tampines Rovers| accessdate=27 March 2014}}</ref>

Outside of football, Đurić has been strongly involved in charity work.<ref name=charity /> He has been volunteering at a children's home for a decade. His youngest son, Massimo Luca Monty was adopted from the children's home when he was 7 days old. In 2011, he ran the half-marathon race at the [[Singapore Marathon|Standard Chartered Marathon]] alongside radio deejay Rod Monteiro and kinesiologist Dr Tan Swee Kheng to help raise S$12,000 for Sanctuary House, which provides foster care for children.<ref>{{cite news| author=Lim Say Heng| url=http://www.tnp.sg/content/gutsy-trio-raise-12000-charity-marathon| title=Gutsy trio raise $12,000 for charity at marathon| newspaper=The New Paper| date=4 December 2011}}</ref> In 2012, Đurić drove a taxi for 12 days to raise S$2,657 for [[The Straits Times#The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund|The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund]].<ref>{{cite news| author=Fabius Chen| url=http://www.stschoolpocketmoneyfund.org.sg/web/media-coverage-article54.php| title=Duric targets another charity drive| newspaper=The Straits Times| p=B20| date=6 November 2012}}</ref> He and his three kids also painted plastic doves that were sold in aid of the Dover Park Hospice in September 2013.<ref>{{cite news| author=Wang Meng Meng| url=http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/duric-3-kids-send-message-love-and-care-elders| title=Duric, 3 kids send message of love and care for elders| newspaper=The Straits Times| date=28 September 2013}}</ref> He believes it is part of his "obligation to give something back to Singapore".<ref name=charity />

== Career statistics ==
=== Club ===
{{updated|match played 05 April 2014}} <ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/24097/Aleksandar_Duric.html| title=Aleksandar Đurić – club statistics| website=National Football Teams| accessdate=27 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://s-leaguefootball.blogspot.sg/2010/09/aleksandar-duric-300-goals-tally.html| website=S-league: Facts & Figures| title=Aleksandar Duric 300 goals tally| accessdate=27 March 2014}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="2"|[[S.League]]
!colspan="2"|[[Singapore Cup]]
!colspan="2"|[[Singapore League Cup|League Cup]]
!colspan="2"|[[AFC Champions League|ACL]]
!colspan="2"|[[AFC Cup]]
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[Tanjong Pagar United FC|Tanjong Pagar United]]
|[[1999 S.League|1999]]
|22||12||-||-||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||22||12
|-
!Total
!22!!12!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!22!!12
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[Home United FC|Home United]]
|[[2000 S.League|2000]]
|10||6||6||5||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||16||11
|-
!Total
!10!!6!!6!!5!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!16!!11
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[Geylang United]]
|[[2001 S.League|2001]]
|33||32||5||2||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||38||34
|-
|[[2002 S.League|2002]]
|33||26||5||6||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||38||32
|-
|[[2003 S.League|2003]]
|33||27||5||5||colspan=2|—||4||4||colspan=2|—||42||36
|-
|[[2004 S.League|2004]]
|27||13||4||2||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||-||-||31||15
|-
!Total
!126!!98!!19!!15!!0!!0!!4!!4!!0!!0!!149!!117
|-
|rowspan="6"|[[Singapore Armed Forces FC|Singapore<br />Armed Forces]]
|[[2005 S.League|2005]]
|27||17||5||3||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||32||20
|-
|[[2006 S.League|2006]]
|28||19||3||5||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||31||24
|-
|[[2007 S.League|2007]]
|31||37||6||7||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||8||8||45||52
|-
|[[2008 S.League|2008]]
|32||28||6||4||0||0||colspan=2|—||8||5||46||37
|-
|[[2009 S.League|2009]]
|30||28||1||0||5||2||8||1||colspan=2|—||44||31
|-
!Total
!148!!129!!21!!19!!5!!2!!8!!1!!16!!13!!198!!164
|-
|rowspan="6"|[[Tampines Rovers FC|Tampines Rovers]]
|[[2010 S.League|2010]]
|33||20||6||4||-||-||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||39||24
|-
|[[2011 S.League|2011]]
|33||26||3||4||-||-||colspan=2|—||7||6||42||36
|-
|[[2012 S.League|2012]]
|24||12||6||5||4||2||colspan=2|—||6||2||40||21
|-
|[[2013 S.League|2013]]
|25||15||1||1||3||3||colspan=2|—||6||3||35||22
|-
|[[2014 S.League|2014]]
|6||3||0||0||0||0||1||0||4||3||11||6
|-
!Total
!121!!76!!16!!14!!7!!5!!1!!0!!23!!14!!168!!109
|-
!colspan="2"|Career Total
!427!!321!!62!!53!!12!!7!!13!!5!!39!!27!!553!!413
|-
|}
* <small>The inaugural [[Singapore League Cup]] was held in 2007.</small>
* <small>[[Singapore Armed Forces FC|Singapore Armed Forces]] withdrew from the [[2007 Singapore League Cup]] due to prior pre-season commitments.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://footballdynamicsasia.blogspot.sg/2007/02/new-singapore-pre-season-cup-for.html| title=New Singapore pre-season cup for S.League clubs| website=Asian Football Business Review| accessdate=9 April 2014}}</ref></small>
* <small>The inaugural [[AFC Cup]] was held in 2004.</small>
* <small>The [[Football Association of Singapore|FAS]] withdrew their one allocated qualifying spot for the [[2011 AFC Champions League|2011]] and [[2012 AFC Champions League|2012]] AFC Champions League.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/clubs/afc-champions-league/658-tournaments/afc-champions-league/champions-league-2006/11002-singapore-seek-to-pull-out-of-acl.html| title=Singapore seek to pull out of ACL| publisher=AFC| accessdate=9 April 2014}}</ref> [[Tampines Rovers]] entered the [[2011 AFC Cup|2011]] and [[2012 AFC Cup|2012]] AFC Cup instead.</small>

=== International ===
'''International goals'''
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="font-size:90%"
! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition
|-
| align=center|1<ref name=tjk /> || 9 November 2007 || [[Kallang]], Singapore || {{fb|TJK}} || align=center|'''1'''–0 || align=center|2–0 || [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)|2010 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
| align=center|2<ref name=tjk /> || 9 November 2007 || Kallang, Singapore || {{flagicon|TJK}} Tajikistan || align=center|'''2'''–0 || align=center|2–0 || 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| align=center|3<ref name=rsssf2008>{{cite web| url=http://www.rsssf.com/tablesf/friend-intres2008.html| title=International Friendly Matches 2008| website=RSSSF| accessdate=6 April 2014}}</ref> || 24 January 2008 || [[Muscat, Oman]] || {{fb|KUW}} || align=center|0-'''2''' || align=center|0-2 || [[Exhibition game|Friendly]]
|-
| align=center|4<ref name=leb /> || 26 March 2008 || Kallang, Singapore || {{fb|LIB}} || align=center|'''1'''–0 || align=center|2–0 || 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| align=center|5<ref name=uzb>{{cite web| url=http://www.fas.org.sg/news/road-south-africalions-lose-despite-scoring-three| title=Road to South Africa:Lions lose despite scoring three| publisher=FAS| accessdate=6 April 2014}}</ref> || 2 June 2008 || Kallang, Singapore || {{fb|UZB}} || align=center|'''1'''–1 || align=center|3–7 || 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| align=center|6<ref name=rsssf2008 /> || 29 November 2008 || [[Petaling Jaya]], [[Malaysia]] || {{fb|MAS}} || align=center|0-'''1''' || align=center|2–2 || Friendly
|-
| align=center|7<ref name=rsssf2008 /> || 29 November 2008 || Petaling Jaya, Malaysia || {{fb|MAS}} || align=center|1–'''1''' || align=center|2–2 || Friendly
|-
| align=center|8<ref name=tkm>{{cite web| url=http://www.fas.org.sg/news/singapore-beat-turkmenistan-4-2-make-it-two-wins-out-two| title=Singapore beat Turkmenistan 4-2 to make it two wins out of two| publisher=FAS| accessdate=6 April 2014}}</ref> || 22 October 2009 || [[Ho Chi Minh City]], [[Vietnam]] || {{fb|TKM}} || align=center|'''1'''–0 || align=center|4–2 || 2009 Ho Chi Minh City Int'l Football Cup
|-
| align=center|9<ref name=tkm /> || 22 October 2009 || Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam || {{fb|TKM}} || align=center|'''2'''–1 || align=center|4–2 || 2009 Ho Chi Minh City Int'l Football Cup
|-
| align=center|10<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.fas.org.sg/news/singapore-wins-ho-chi-minh-international-tournament| title=Singapore wins Ho Chi Minh International Tournament| publisher=FAS| accessdate=6 April 2014}}</ref> || 24 October 2009 || Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam || {{fb|VIE}} || align=center|1–'''1''' || align=center|2–2 || 2009 Ho Chi Minh City Int'l Football Cup
|-
| align=center|11<ref name=idn>{{cite web| url=http://www.fas.org.sg/news/set-plays-do-trick-lions-win| title=Set plays do the trick as Lions win| publisher=FAS| accessdate=6 April 2014}}</ref> || 4 November 2009 || Kallang, Singapore || {{fb|IDN}} || align=center|'''1'''–0 || align=center|3–1 || Friendly
|-
| align=center|12<ref name= idn /> || 4 November 2009 || Kallang, Singapore || {{fb|IDN}} || align=center|'''3'''–1 || align=center|3–1 || Friendly
|-
| align=center|13<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Sports/Story/A1Story20091119-180823.html| title=Thailand crash to S'pore 0-1| publisher=AFP| date=19 November 2009}}</ref> || 18 November 2009 || [[Bangkok]], [[Thailand]] || {{fb|THA}} || align=center|'''1'''–0 || align=center|1–0 || [[2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification]]
|-
| align=center|14<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.redsports.sg/2010/11/02/singapore-north-korea-football/| title=Football: Singapore fall to last-gasp winner by North Korea in VFF Cup| website=RedSports.sg| accessdate=6 April 2014}}</ref> || 2 November 2010 || [[Hanoi]], Vietnam || {{fb|PRK}} || align=center|'''1'''–0 || align=center|1–2 || [[VFF Cup]]
|-
| align=center|15<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.affsuzukicup.com/news/singapore-1-1-philippines-late-greatwich-strike-shocks-singapore| title=Singapore 1 - 1 Philippines: Late Greatwich strike shocks Singapore| accessdate=6 April 2014}}</ref> || 2 December 2010 || Hanoi, Vietnam || {{fb|PHI}} || align=center|'''1'''–0 || align=center|1–1 || [[2010 AFF Suzuki Cup]]
|-
| align=center|16<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.affsuzukicup.com/news/singapore-2-myanmar-1-duric-casmir-rescue-singapore| title=Singapore 2 Myanmar 1 - Duric, Casmir rescue Singapore| accessdate=6 April 2014}}</ref> || 5 December 2010 || Hanoi, Vietnam || {{fb|MYA}} || align=center|'''1'''–1 || align=center|2–1 || 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup
|-
| align=center|17<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.fas.org.sg/news/new-look-lions-bring-joy-fans| title=New-look Lions bring joy to the fans| accessdate=6 April 2014}}</ref> || 7 June 2011 || [[Jalan Besar]], Singapore || {{fb|MDV}} || align=center|'''4'''–0 || align=center|4–0 || Friendly
|-
| align=center|18<ref name=ctp>{{cite web| url=http://www.fas.org.sg/news/singapore-beat-chinese-taipei-3-2-international-friendly-jalan-besar-stadium| title=Singapore beat Chinese-Taipei 3-2 in an International Friendly At Jalan Besar Stadium| accessdate=6 April 2014}}</ref> || 18 July 2011 || Jalan Besar, Singapore || {{fb|TPE}} || align=center|'''1'''–0 || align=center|3–2 || Friendly
|-
| align=center|19<ref name=ctp /> || 18 July 2011 || Jalan Besar, Singapore || {{fb|TPE}} || align=center|'''2'''–1 || align=center|3–2 || Friendly
|-
| align=center|20<ref name=wc14mas>{{cite web| url=http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/asia/matches/round=257787/match=300159182/index.html| title=FIFA World Cup 2014 qualifiers -Singapore 5:3 Malaysia| publisher=FIFA| accessdate=6 April 2014}}</ref> || 23 July 2011 || Jalan Besar, Singapore || {{fb|MAS}} || align=center|'''1'''–1 || align=center|5–3 || [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)|2014 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
| align=center|21<ref name=wc14mas /> || 23 July 2011 || Jalan Besar, Singapore || {{fb|MAS}} || align=center|'''5'''–3 || align=center|5–3 || 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| align=center|22<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/asia/matches/round=257791/match=300172559/index.html| title=FIFA World Cup 2014 qualifiers - China PR 2:1 Singapore| publisher=FIFA| accessdate=6 April 2014}}</ref> || 2 September 2011 || [[Kunming]], China || {{fb|CHN}} || align=center|0-'''1''' || align=center|2-1 || 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| align=center|23<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.fas.org.sg/news/lions-erase-2010-memories-2-0-win-over-philippines| title=Lions erase 2010 memories with 2-0 win over Philippines| publisher=FAS| accessdate=6 April 2014}}</ref> || 7 October 2011 || Jalan Besar, Singapore || {{fb|PHI}} || align=center|'''2'''–0 || align=center|2–0 || Friendly
|-
| align=center|24<ref name=hk>{{cite web| url=http://www.fas.org.sg/news/singapore-kicked-suzuki-cup-preparations-2-0-win-over-hong-kong| title=Singapore kicked-off Suzuki Cup preparations with 2-0 win over Hong Kong| publisher=FAS| accessdate=6 April 2014}}</ref> || 15 August 2012 || Jalan Besar, Singapore || {{fb|HKG}} || align=center|'''1'''–0 || align=center|2–0 || Friendly
|-
| align=center|25<ref name=hk /> || 15 August 2012 || Jalan Besar, Singapore || {{fb|HKG}} || align=center|'''2'''–0 || align=center|2–0 || Friendly
|-
| align=center|26<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.fas.org.sg/news/singapore-wrap-aff-suzuki-cup-preparations-4-0-win-over-pakistan| title=Singapore wrap up AFF Suzuki Cup preparations with a 4-0 win over Pakistan| publisher=FAS| accessdate=6 April 2014}}</ref> || 19 November 2012 || Jurong West, Singapore || {{fb|PAK}} || align=center|'''4'''–0 || align=center|4–0 || Friendly
|-
| align=center|27<ref name=affmas>{{cite web| url=http://www.affsuzukicup.com/news/malaysia-0-singapore-3| title=Malaysia 0 Singapore 3| accessdate=6 April 2014}}</ref> || 25 November 2012 || [[Kuala Lumpur]], Malaysia || {{fb|MAS}} || align=center|0-'''3''' || align=center|0-3 || [[2012 AFF Suzuki Cup]]
|}

== Honours ==
=== Club ===
;Home United
* [[Singapore Cup]]: 2000

;Geylang United
* [[S.League]]: 2001

;Singapore Armed Forces
* [[S.League]]: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
* [[Singapore Cup]]: 2007, 2008
* [[Singapore Charity Shield|Charity Shield]]: 2008

;Tampines Rovers
* [[S.League]]: 2011, 2012, 2013
* [[Singapore Charity Shield|Charity Shield]]: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

=== International ===
'''Singapore'''
* [[ASEAN Football Championship]]: 2012

=== Individual ===
;S.League
* People's Choice Award: 2007
* Player of the Year: 2007, 2008, 2012
* Top Scorer: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013

== Notes ==
<references group=nb />

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
* {{cite web| url=http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=289127/| title=Player statistics – Aleksandar DURIC| publisher=FIFA.com}}
* {{cite web| url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZ7h7_3GAW0| title=Duric inspiration Singapore| publisher=Nike Be The Next}}

{{Navboxes colour
| title = Singapore squads
| bg = #E51937
| fg = #FFF
| bordercolor =
| list1 =
{{Singapore squad 2008 ASEAN Football Championship}}{{Singapore squad 2010 ASEAN Football Championship}}{{Singapore squad 2012 ASEAN Football Championship}}
}}
{{Tampines Rovers FC squad}}

Revision as of 11:38, 12 April 2014

Aleksandar Đurić
Đurić playing for the Singapore national team
Personal information
Date of birth (1970-08-12) 12 August 1970 (age 54) [1]
Place of birth Doboj, SFR Yugoslavia
Height 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) [1]
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
 Tampines Rovers
Number 9
Youth career
1984–1987 Sloga Doboj
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1992–1994 Szeged LC - (-)
1994 South Melbourne - (-)
1995 Port Melbourne Sharks[3] - (-)
1995–1996 South Melbourne[4] 5 (0)
1996 Port Melbourne Sharks[4][5] ? (12)
1996-1997 Gippsland Falcons[6] 15 (4)
1997 Locomotive Shanshan - (-)
1997–1998 West Adelaide 8 (3)
1998 Heidelberg United[7] 8 (2)
1998–1999 West Adelaide[8] 27 (5)
1999 Tanjong Pagar United[8] 22 (12)
1999–2000 Marconi Stallions[9] 15 (2)
2000 Sydney Olympic[9] 3 (0)
2000 Home United 10 (6)
2001–2004 Geylang United 126 (98)
2005–2009 Singapore Armed Forces 148 (129)
2010– Tampines Rovers 121 (76)
International career‡
2007–2012 Singapore[2] 54 (27)
Managerial career
2013- Tampines Rovers (fitness coach)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 5 April 2014
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 02:33, 23 December 2012 (UTC)

Aleksandar Đurić (Serbian Cyrillic: Александар Ђурић; born 12 August 1970) is a Singaporean professional footballer of Serbian descent.[10] He is a player-coach for S.League club Tampines Rovers and was a member of the Singapore national team. He is noted for being a prolific striker with strong physical presence.[11][12] His professional approach to his fitness and a disciplined lifestyle contributed to extending a career spanning over two decades.[13]

Đurić was junior kayaking champion of Yugoslavia when he was 15 and was ranked 8th in the world at 17. He represented Bosnia and Herzegovina in the C-1 500m canoeing event the 1992 Summer Olympics.[14]

After the Olympics, he returned to Hungary to resume his football career. In 1999, he signed for Tanjong Pagar United in the S.League where he was converted to a striker for the first time in his career. He won trophies with subsequent clubs Home United, Geylang United, Singapore Armed Forces and Tampines Rovers. He is the most successful player in S.League history, having won eight league titles and three Singapore Cups in 16 seasons, amassing three Player of the Year and four top scorer awards on the way to becoming the league's all-time top scorer.

At international level, he debuted for Singapore at the age of 37 years and 89 days in 2007, winning the 2012 ASEAN Football Championship. He retired from international football in December 2012.

In 2013, he assumed his new duties as full-time fitness coach at his club Tampines Rovers. He will retire from his playing career at the age of 44 after the 2014 season.

Club career

Early life

Đurić was born in Lipac in the outskirts of Doboj, Bosnia.[15] The childhood supporter of Red Star Belgrade spent his formative years in the youth teams of his hometown club FK Sloga Doboj as a goalkeeper and later, as a midfielder.[15][16][17] He also took up kayaking at the age of 12 at the advice of the doctor treating his growth disorder of the chest.[10][12] He became junior kayaking champion of Yugoslavia when he was 15 and by age 17, he was ranked 8th in the world.[18][19]

Đurić was drafted into the military at the age of 17 where he became an officer during his service. With impending civil war, his father wanted either him or his brother to leave the country in order to preserve the family line.[10] He was instructed to leave his hometown as he was younger and a sportsman; his brother Milan stayed behind, fighting in the war for close to five years.[10] With just 300 Deutsche Marks on him, he left for Serbia where he played in the second division for one season and then Sweden, where he trained with AIK Solna and was offered refugee status which he rejected.[10] The breakup of Yugoslavia left him stranded in Hungary without a recognised passport. He wandered through the cafes and restaurants of Szeged before a family offered him accommodation and a trial at local club Szeged LC in the second tier of the Hungarian football league.[10]

1992 Summer Olympics

In 1992, Đurić received an invitation from the newly formed Bosnian Olympic Committee to compete for Bosnia and Herzegovina in the C-1 500 m canoeing event at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.[20] Despite having not trained for two years and the ongoing conflict between the Serbs and the Bosnians, he accepted the request as he ultimately decided he was first and foremost a sportsman.[21] As the Bosnian Olympic Committee could not afford to pay for his travel, he had to hitch-hike his way over 1,500 km to Barcelona. With only a letter from the Olympic Committee and no valid passport, he managed to get a truck ride to the Austrian border but was initially refused passage by a disbelieving immigration officer who thought he was a refugee seeking asylum.[22] After convincing them of his credentials with a phone call to the Olympic Committee, the border guards helped him persuade someone to take him half-way to Slovenia, where he managed to get another ride to the airport and flew to Barcelona.[21] A two-day trek after, he made it to the Summer Olympics where he was one of Bosnia's ten debuting competitors. He had to borrow equipment from the Italian and Spanish teams to complete in the event[23] and was eliminated in the repechages. After the Olympics, he resumed his football career with Szeged LC.[12]

Australia and Singapore

An associate of Đurić helped to arrange for a trial in Australia with Frank Arok, a retired Serbian footballer of Hungarian descent and former Australia coach. In 1994, he moved to South Melbourne Hellas where he played as a defender.[10][24] He also played for other National Soccer League clubs such as Port Melbourne Sharks, Gippsland Falcons, Heidelberg United, West Adelaide and had a brief stint with Chinese side Locomotive Shanshan in 1997.

In 1999, Đurić’s club West Adelaide went bankrupt.[25] He received offers from Hong Kong and Singapore but chose to move to the latter where he began his S.League career with Tanjong Pagar United.[25] At this stage of his career, he had been playing on the left flank as a winger or left-back.[25] His coach Tohari Paijan converted the 6'4" player into a striker as the club finished third.[12]

Đurić returned to Australia at the end of the season and obtained Australian citizenship in the hope of representing the Socceroos.[23] He played for Sydney-based Marconi Stallions, reverting to his left midfield position.[26]

In June 2000, Đurić moved permanently to Singapore with Home United, playing as a striker again.[27] He scored 11 goals in all competitions for his new club as he won the 2000 Singapore Cup in front of a 45,000 crowd at the National Stadium in his only season with the Protectors.[28]

Geylang United

Đurić signed on with Geylang United in 2001 where he formed a strong understanding with forward Mohd Noor Ali, a partnership they would later replicate at Singapore Armed Forces and credit with creating "at least half of all my goals".[29] Geylang won their first S.League title in five years, with Đurić scoring 37 goals that season. He was rewarded with a 3-year contract extension and go on to score 98 goals in 126 league games over four seasons. In 2003, he joined an exclusive club of S.League players who have scored 100 domestic goals.[30][nb 1]

With the success of the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and South Korea, the AFC revamped their continental competition by introducing the AFC Champions League and the AFC Cup. Geylang as 2001 S.League winners participated in the 2002–03 AFC Champions League qualification.[31] They met DPMM in the second round of the Eastern qualifying zone where Đurić scored once in the home leg and twice in the away leg as Geylang progressed 7-0 on aggregate. They met Chinese Jia-A League club Shanghai Shenhua in the final qualifying stage, exiting 5-1 on aggregate with Đurić scoring a consolation goal in the second leg.

Geylang entered the inaugural AFC Cup as 2003 S.League runners-up. Đurić scored in both legs of the quarter-finals as Geylang United knocked Perak out of the competition.[32] He scored a total of 5 goals in the competition as Geylang made the semi-finals, missing out on the finals with a 1-0 defeat to Al-Wahda in the second leg after a 1-1 draw in the away leg.[33][34]

Singapore Armed Forces

Đurić's goal-scoring exploits did not escape the league's most successful side, Singapore Armed Forces, which signed him in November 2004.[35] He hit the form of his career, scoring 129 goals in just 148 league appearances as he guided the club to their most successful era. The Warriors won the league four times, achieving the S.League and Singapore Cup double in 2007 and 2008 as he finished league top-scorer three times in 2007[36], 2008[37] and 2009. Đurić's prolific form was recognised with the S.League Player of the Year award in 2007[36] and 2008[37]. He scored his 200th domestic goal with a 5-minute hat-trick over Liaoning Guangyuan on 9 July 2007[38][nb 1] and broke former Warriors striker Mirko Grabovac's record of 244 goals in local competitions with a brace in a 2-2 draw with ex-club Geylang United on his 38th brithday.[39]

Singapore Armed Forces were drawn against Kashima Antlers, Suwon Samsung Bluewings and Shanghai Shenghua for the group stage of the 2009 AFC Champions League. He scored his first goal in the AFC Champions League group stage against Suwon Bluewings on 19 May 2009. The Warriors failed to make it to the next round, ending bottom of the group with 5 losses and a draw.

In September 2009, Đuric initially agreed to join Sriwijaya of the Indonesian Super League for a reported US$110,000 a season contract.[40] However, a month later, he told the press that he declined the offer in the end because Sriwijaya tried to change the terms of the contract which was mutually agreed upon.[41] Had he signed for Sriwijaya, he would have joined fellow national team players Precious Emuejeraye, Baihakki Khaizan, Mustafić Fahrudin, Noh Alam Shah and Muhammad Ridhuan in an exodus from the S.League to the Indonesian leagues.

Tampines Rovers

Đuric's relationship with Singapore Armed Forces had been damaged with his attempted transfer to Sriwijaya.[40] Following their decision not to offer him a new contract, the evergreen striker signed for Tampines Rovers in 2010.[42] He scored 20 league goals in his first season there as the club finished in second place. He returned to winning ways after the first season, clinching three consecutive S.League titles with Tampines Rovers from 2011 to 2013. He became the first player to reach a milestone 300th goal on 1 September 2010 with a brace against Beijing Guoan Talent.[nb 1] With 328 goals in 444 top division club appearances, Đuric was ranked by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) as the world top scorer in July 2011.[43] He picked up his third Player of the Year award in 2012[44] and finished joint league top-scorer with Moon Soon-Ho in 2013.

Đurić announced his decision to quit professional football at the end of the 2014 season, having been convinced by the club management to postpone his initial plans to retire at the end of 2012.[16][45] The veteran player relinquished his captaincy to teammate Mustafić Fahrudin, coincidentally another naturalised Singaporean footballer of Serbian descent, in 2013.

Đurić started his final season having scored a record 378 domestic goals.[13] Đurić's and Tampines' ambitions of reaching the 2014 AFC Champions League proper ended at the first qualifying round to South China AA. Tampines dropped into the 2014 AFC Cup accordingly.

International career

It took Đurić three personal attempts before he received his Singaporean citizenship in 27 September 2007[46] as he was not on the Football Association of Singapore's Foreign Sports Talent Scheme.[19][47] Despite obtaining his Singapore passport for non-footballing reasons, coach Radojko Avramović called him up to the Singapore national team on 1 November 2007.[11][24] He made his international debut at the age of 37 years and 89 days against Tajikistan in the first leg of the second round of the AFC 2010 World Cup qualifiers on 9 November, contributing with an immediate impact by scoring both goals in a 2–0 victory.[48] The plan had been to start Đurić on the bench but following a late thigh injury to attacking midfielder Shi Jiayi, he was pushed into the starting eleven.[21][49] The result coupled with a 1-1 draw in the second leg meant that Singapore progressed to the third round of the Asian Qualifying Tournament for the first time, where they were drawn against Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Uzbekistan. He continued his fine form on the international stage, bagging goals against Lebanon[50] and Uzbekistan[51] as Singapore finished third in Group 4.

With the absence of regular captain Indra Sahdan and vice-captain Lionel Lewis for the friendly against Bahrain on 28 May 2008, Đurić skippered Singapore for the first time, becoming the first ever foreign-born player to start a game as captain.[43]

Đurić made his first ASEAN Football Championship in 2008 but was ruled out for the rest of the tournament after suffering a fibula injury in the opening match against Cambodia.[52] He was in the Singapore squad for the 2010 edition but the team suffered an early exit at the group stage.

Đurić began the 2012 tournament as second-choice forward but following an injury to midfielder Hariss Harun, he was recalled into the first eleven at left midfield. With his last international goal coming against defending champions and arch-rivals Malaysia, he became the oldest goalscorer in the history of the competition.[24][53] He retired from international football with a record of 27 goals in 54 international appearances in five years as Singapore won their fourth ASEAN title and Đurić his first international honours.[54]

Coaching career

Đurić stated his intention to remain involved in Singapore football in a coaching capacity as he nears completing his 'A' coaching licence by the end of his playing career.[13][16] He has been Tampines Rovers' fitness coach since 2013, a job he has held full-time as he prepares to make the shift to backroom staff.[21]

Personal life

Đurić's father worked for the railways in between playing semi-professional football. His mother was killed during an artillery attack on 9 August 1993, three days before his birthday. His father died of cancer at the age of 62 on 19 August 2000.[19] Đurić only managed to see his father in almost 10 years, days before his death. He has an older brother, Milan.

Đurić met his wife Natasha in Melbourne in 1998. They married in January 2000.[19] Their 3 children – eldest daughter Isabella Nina (born 2006) and sons Alessandro Hugo (born 2004) and Massimo Luca Monty (born 2010) – were all born in Singapore.[10][55][56]

Đurić lives in East Ledang, Johor.[57] As part of his rigorous fitness regime, he runs 15 km around his Johor Bahru neighbourhood every morning.[58] He does not drink, smoke or do late nights.[19] He avoids chilli and greasy food like prata and chicken rice, and keeps up with his grueling fitness regime even in the off-season.[59]

Outside of football, Đurić has been strongly involved in charity work.[55] He has been volunteering at a children's home for a decade. His youngest son, Massimo Luca Monty was adopted from the children's home when he was 7 days old. In 2011, he ran the half-marathon race at the Standard Chartered Marathon alongside radio deejay Rod Monteiro and kinesiologist Dr Tan Swee Kheng to help raise S$12,000 for Sanctuary House, which provides foster care for children.[60] In 2012, Đurić drove a taxi for 12 days to raise S$2,657 for The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.[61] He and his three kids also painted plastic doves that were sold in aid of the Dover Park Hospice in September 2013.[62] He believes it is part of his "obligation to give something back to Singapore".[55]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 05 April 2014 [63][64]
Club Season S.League Singapore Cup League Cup ACL AFC Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Tanjong Pagar United 1999 22 12 - - — — — 22 12
Total 22 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 22 12
Home United 2000 10 6 6 5 — — — 16 11
Total 10 6 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 11
Geylang United 2001 33 32 5 2 — — — 38 34
2002 33 26 5 6 — — — 38 32
2003 33 27 5 5 — 4 4 — 42 36
2004 27 13 4 2 — — - - 31 15
Total 126 98 19 15 0 0 4 4 0 0 149 117
Singapore
Armed Forces 		2005 27 17 5 3 — — — 32 20
2006 28 19 3 5 — — — 31 24
2007 31 37 6 7 — — 8 8 45 52
2008 32 28 6 4 0 0 — 8 5 46 37
2009 30 28 1 0 5 2 8 1 — 44 31
Total 148 129 21 19 5 2 8 1 16 13 198 164
Tampines Rovers 2010 33 20 6 4 - - — — 39 24
2011 33 26 3 4 - - — 7 6 42 36
2012 24 12 6 5 4 2 — 6 2 40 21
2013 25 15 1 1 3 3 — 6 3 35 22
2014 6 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 4 3 11 6
Total 121 76 16 14 7 5 1 0 23 14 168 109
Career Total 427 321 62 53 12 7 13 5 39 27 553 413

International

International goals

Honours

Club

Home United
Geylang United
Singapore Armed Forces
Tampines Rovers

International

Singapore

Individual

S.League
  • People's Choice Award: 2007
  • Player of the Year: 2007, 2008, 2012
  • Top Scorer: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013

Notes

  1. ^ a b c Prior to the 2011 season, milestone goals include both S.League and Singapore Cup goals. The FAS amended it to include only league goals in 2011. [1]

References

  1. ^ a b "Player profile – Aleksandar Duric". S.League. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
  2. ^ "Duric: Lions must learn Asian lessons". FIFA. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  3. ^ "South Melbourne Hellas - Transfers 1994/1995". weltfussball.com. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  4. ^ a b "South Melbourne Hellas - Transfers 1995/1996". weltfussball.com. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  5. ^ Greg Stock. "1996 Victorian State League Leading Goalscorers". Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  6. ^ "Gippsland Falcons - Transfers 1996/1997". weltfussball.com. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  7. ^ "West Adelaide Sharks - Transfers 1997/1998". weltfussball.com. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  8. ^ a b "Adelaide Sharks - Transfers 1998/1999". weltfussball.com. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  9. ^ a b "Marconi-Fairfield Stallions - Transfers 1999/2000". weltfussball.com. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h Scott McIntyre. "An amazing football tale". Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  11. ^ a b Wang Meng Meng (2 November 2007). "Striker Duric gets call-up". The Straits Times. p. 58.
  12. ^ a b c d "Duric: I just love football". FIFA. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  13. ^ a b c Wang Meng Meng (25 February 2014). "Duric's last hurrah: 'Put pride back in S-League'". The Sunday Times.
  14. ^ "The biggest accomp". Olympic Committee of Bosnia & Herzegovina. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  15. ^ a b "Dobojlija – Najbolji Fudbaler U Singapuru". Tipura.com (in Serbian).
  16. ^ a b c Rick Olivares (9 July 2012). "The changing tides of Aleksandar Duric". Business Mirror.
  17. ^ "Content with life". Today. 16 October 2006. p. 42.
  18. ^ "MH Interview: Aleksandar Duric". MensHealth.com.sg. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  19. ^ a b c d e "Interview with Aleksandar Duric". RedSports.sg. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  20. ^ "Najbolji golgeter na svijetu zapravo je bosanski kajakaš". Klix (in Bosnian).
  21. ^ a b c d Richard Lenton. "Aleksandar Duric" (PDF). Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  22. ^ "End of a long and winding road for Singapore's Aleksandar Duric". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  23. ^ a b Jason Dasey. "Class is permanent". ESPN. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  24. ^ a b c "End in sight for Tampines' Rover" (PDF). AFC Quarterly (issue 2). April 2013. p. 18.
  25. ^ a b c "Interview with Aleksandar Duric (Part 4)". RedSports.sg. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  26. ^ "Jaguars lose twin strikers". The Straits Times. 19 November 1999. p. 100.
  27. ^ "Former Jaguar signs for Home". The Straits Times. 27 May 2000. p. 98.
  28. ^ Ernest Luis (2 October 2000). "No SAFFC double as Cup goes Home". The Straits Times. p. 54.
  29. ^ Shamir Osman (9 September 2009). "Geylang won't do SAFFC any favours". Today. p. 56.
  30. ^ "The fourth Mr 100". The Straits Times. 10 July 2003. p. 7.
  31. ^ "2002/03 AFC Champions League". S-league: Facts & Figures. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
  32. ^ Alvin Chua (15 September 2004). "High-flying Eagles stun Perak". Today. p. 34.
  33. ^ Marc Lim (26 October 2004). "A match away from $250,000". The Straits Times. p. H11.
  34. ^ Marc Lim (27 October 2004). "Historic cup final hopes in tatters after 12 short minutes". The Straits Times. p. 13.
  35. ^ "Duric leaves Geylang for SAFFC". The Straits Times. 3 November 2004. p. 14.
  36. ^ a b "Duric bags four trophies at NTUC Income-Yeo's awards night". sleague.com. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  37. ^ a b "Duric wins player of the year". sleague.com. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  38. ^ Darren Lai (10 July 2007). "Hat-trick hero Duric joins the 200-goal club". Today. p. 42.
  39. ^ Shamir Osman (13 August 2008). "A bittersweet birthday for Duric". Today. p. 43.
  40. ^ a b Aleksandar Duric (27 August 2013). "Heat on managers when transfers go awry". The Straits Times.
  41. ^ "Aleksandar Duric not going to Indonesia Super League". RedSports.sg. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
  42. ^ Joyce Lim (10 November 2009). "Top scorer, thrice in a row". The New Paper.
  43. ^ a b Jason Dasey (7 August 2011). "Striker's hard road to the top". Al Jazeera.
  44. ^ Fabius Chen (11 November 2012). "Duric named S-League Player of the Year for third time". The Straits Times.
  45. ^ "Duric confirms retirement at end of next season". Goal.com. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  46. ^ Wang Meng Meng (28 September 2007). "New Singaporean Duric could line up for Lions". The Straits Times. p. 60.
  47. ^ "Aleksandar the Great". The Straits Times. 1 October 2007. p. 46.
  48. ^ a b c "Road to South Africa: Duric bags brace to give Lions advantage". FAS. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  49. ^ "Road to South Africa: Debutant Duric just two good". FAS. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  50. ^ a b "First-Half goals put Lions back on track". FAS. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  51. ^ a b "Road to South Africa:Lions lose despite scoring three". FAS. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  52. ^ "Surgery for footballer Aleksandar Duric goes smoothly". RedSports.sg. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  53. ^ a b "Malaysia 0 Singapore 3". Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  54. ^ "Duric: It's bye for good". The New Paper. 26 January 2013.
  55. ^ a b c Wang Meng Meng (25 February 2014). "Family and charity work keep Duric busy". The Sunday Times.
  56. ^ Mateusz Wozniak. "Aleksandar Durić - bohater Singapuru". BalkanFootball.com (in Polish). Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  57. ^ "Duric set to partner Zerka in dream attack". The New Paper. 28 September 2013.
  58. ^ "Can't stop, won't stop". The New Paper. 12 September 2013.
  59. ^ "Aleksandar Duric- What comes next?". Tampines Rovers. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  60. ^ Lim Say Heng (4 December 2011). "Gutsy trio raise $12,000 for charity at marathon". The New Paper.
  61. ^ Fabius Chen (6 November 2012). "Duric targets another charity drive". The Straits Times. p. B20.
  62. ^ Wang Meng Meng (28 September 2013). "Duric, 3 kids send message of love and care for elders". The Straits Times.
  63. ^ "Aleksandar Đurić – club statistics". National Football Teams. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  64. ^ "Aleksandar Duric 300 goals tally". S-league: Facts & Figures. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  65. ^ "New Singapore pre-season cup for S.League clubs". Asian Football Business Review. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  66. ^ "Singapore seek to pull out of ACL". AFC. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  67. ^ a b c "International Friendly Matches 2008". RSSSF. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  68. ^ a b "Singapore beat Turkmenistan 4-2 to make it two wins out of two". FAS. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  69. ^ "Singapore wins Ho Chi Minh International Tournament". FAS. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  70. ^ a b "Set plays do the trick as Lions win". FAS. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  71. ^ "Thailand crash to S'pore 0-1". AFP. 19 November 2009.
  72. ^ "Football: Singapore fall to last-gasp winner by North Korea in VFF Cup". RedSports.sg. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  73. ^ "Singapore 1 - 1 Philippines: Late Greatwich strike shocks Singapore". Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  74. ^ "Singapore 2 Myanmar 1 - Duric, Casmir rescue Singapore". Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  75. ^ "New-look Lions bring joy to the fans". Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  76. ^ a b "Singapore beat Chinese-Taipei 3-2 in an International Friendly At Jalan Besar Stadium". Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  77. ^ a b "FIFA World Cup 2014 qualifiers -Singapore 5:3 Malaysia". FIFA. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  78. ^ "FIFA World Cup 2014 qualifiers - China PR 2:1 Singapore". FIFA. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  79. ^ "Lions erase 2010 memories with 2-0 win over Philippines". FAS. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  80. ^ a b "Singapore kicked-off Suzuki Cup preparations with 2-0 win over Hong Kong". FAS. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  81. ^ "Singapore wrap up AFF Suzuki Cup preparations with a 4-0 win over Pakistan". FAS. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:LRD_NO/sandbox&oldid=603864521"