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Alija Solak

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Alija Solak
Personal information
Date of birth 1944 (age 79–80)
Place of birth Bosnia and Herzegovina SFR Yugoslavia
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Position(s) Forward
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1963–1969 Famos Hrasnica
1970–1974 Toronto Croatia
1975 Toronto Metros-Croatia 6 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Alija Solak or Aleja Solak (born 1944) is a Bosnian retired footballer who played in the National Soccer League, and the North American Soccer League.

Playing career

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Solak began playing football in 1963 with FK Famos Hrasnica in the Yugoslav Second League. In 1969, he arrived to Canada and was recruited by Toronto Croatia to play in the National Soccer League from 1970 till 1974.[1][2] In his debut season with Toronto he finished as the club's top goal scorer with 23 goals.[3] In 1971, he assisted Croatia in winning the Canadian Open Cup by recording a goal against Vancouver Eintracht.[4] Throughout his tenure with Toronto he won the NSL Championship in 1971, and 1974.[5][6]

After Croatia joined the North American Soccer League as the Toronto Metros-Croatia in 1975 he appeared in six matches and recorded one goal.[7][8] He made his debut on May 23, 1975 against Philadelphia Atoms.[9] He also played in the Kitchener and District Soccer League.[10]

International career

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Solak was called to the Canada men's national soccer team camp by head coach Frank Pike in 1973.[11] He was selected for the Canadian select team in a match against Arsenal F.C.[12]

References

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  1. ^ Sopta, Marin. "Gradski vijećnik Toronta: Ova momčad je nešto najbolje što se moglo dogoditi našoj ligi. Svi žele pobijediti Croatiju!" (in Croatian). Retrieved 2017-09-13.
  2. ^ Waring, Ed (May 14, 1970). "Soccer league seeks to keep games orderly". The Globe and Mail. p. 41.
  3. ^ "Soccer league has a good year at gate". Toronto Daily Star. November 3, 1970. p. 14.
  4. ^ Waring, Ed (October 18, 1971). "Croatia too good for Eintracht; Toronto team blanks champs, 3-0". The Globe and Mail. p. S10.
  5. ^ Sopta, Marin. "Istaknuti nogometaši i treneri hrvatskog iseljeništva - treći dio" (in Croatian). Retrieved 2017-09-19.
  6. ^ Koep, Bob (October 12, 1971). "Croatia confirms right to crown". Toronto Daily Star. p. 20.
  7. ^ "NASL-". www.nasljerseys.com. Retrieved 2017-09-13.
  8. ^ "V. Magaš: Hrvatski grb na prsima Crne pantere". Portal Hrvatskoga kulturnog vijeća (in Croatian). 2014-01-29. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
  9. ^ Kernaghan, Jim (May 1, 1975). "Soccer club rises from ashes". Toronto Star. p. C5.
  10. ^ "Soccer in Waterloo region - scwaterloo.ca". www.scwaterloo.ca. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
  11. ^ "Canada Soccer". canadasoccer.com. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
  12. ^ "Team to take on Arsenal includes 12 from NSL". Toronto Star. May 15, 1973. p. 21.
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