Introduction
Ante Covic (Croatian: Ante Čović; [ˈaːntɛ ˈtʃɔːʋitɕ]; born 13 June 1975) is an Australian football (soccer) goalkeeper who currently plays for the Rockdale City Suns in the National Premier Leagues NSW. Covic was a member of the Australian national team at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.
Personal life
Ante Covic is of Croatian heritage.
Club career
He formerly played for Hammarby IF in Sweden, as well as Marconi Stallions and Sydney Olympic in Australia's National Soccer League, PAOK Salonika and AO Kavala in Greece and Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia.
Newcastle Jets
Covic made his A-League debut in a 3–2 loss to Adelaide United in December 2006 at Hindmarsh Stadium. Čović was the starting goalkeeper for Newcastle Jets in the 2007 season which he won the A-League championship. On 17 March 2009, it was announced that Covic was leaving the Jets for a three-year deal with Swedish club IF Elfsborg.
Melbourne Victory
On 4 October 2011, Covic signed a one-year deal with Melbourne Victory as an injury replacement for Tando Velaphi who was ruled out for 12 weeks. Čović debuted in the opening game for the A-League season against Sydney FC at Etihad Stadium in front of 40,000 in attendance. Covic achieved instant hero status with the home fans when he thwarted Emerton from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute, he was named man of the match in the 0–0 draw. He was again named man of the match after the Melbourne Derby two weeks later.
In the A-League round 5 match between Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory in 2011, Covic, along with fellow Victory defender Matthew Foschini, were controversially sent off by referee Ben Williams for challenges against Roar defenders, reducing the Victory to playing with nine men throughout the match.
On 1 May 2012, it was announced new Melbourne Victory coach Ange Postecoglou would not resign the veteran goalkeeper, opting to stay with younger goalkeepers Lawrence Thomas and Tando Velaphi. The shock decision came after Covic was awarded the Player's Player of the Year award at the Melbourne Victory Awards Dinner.
Western Sydney Wanderers
On 2 July 2012, Covic joined A-League expansion club Western Sydney Wanderers on a free transfer. The Wanderers performed above expectations and won the Premier's Plate in their maiden season, with Čović being named in the inaugural A-League All-Star team. He helped his side to win 2014 AFC Champions League, with keeping 8 clean sheets in 12 matches. At the end of the final which they defeated Al-Hilal, he was named as MVP of the tournament.
Perth Glory
On 8 July 2015, Covic joined Perth Glory.
In June 2016, at the end of his contract, Covic decided to leave Perth Glory to return east to be closer to his family.
International career
He was part of the Australian squad for the 2006 World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and was Australia's third choice goalkeeper behind Mark Schwarzer and Željko Kalac for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.
He made his debut for Australia against Bahrain on 22 February 2006 in an Asian Cup qualifier. On 22 March 2008 he earned his second cap against Singapore in an international friendly and was captain for part of the second half after Harry Kewell and Jade North left the field. As of 2016, Čović has two international caps with Australia.
Career statistics
- As of 15 May 2015
CS = Clean Sheets
| Club | Season | Division | League1 | Cup | International2 | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | CS | Apps | CS | Apps | CS | Apps | CS | |||
| Marconi Stallions | 1997–98 | National Soccer League | 25 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 14 |
| 1998–99 | 21 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 7 | ||
| Total | 46 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 21 | ||
| PAOK | 1999–2000 | Alpha Ethniki | 4 | ? | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 1 |
| 2000–01 | 4 | ? | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Total | 8 | ? | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 1 | ||
| AO Kavala (loan) | 2000–01 | Beta Ethniki | 15 | ? | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| Total | 15 | ? | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | ||
| Dinamo Zagreb | 2001–02 | Prva HNL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Hammarby IF | 2002 | Allsvenskan | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 22 | 0 |
| 2003 | 26 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 12 | ||
| 2004 | 26 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 30 | 10 | ||
| 2005 | 26 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 8 | ||
| 2006 | 23 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 9 | ||
| Total | 121 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 127 | 39 | ||
| Newcastle Jets | 2006–07 | A-League | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 |
| 2007–08 | 25 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 10 | ||
| 2008–09 | 21 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 26 | 5 | ||
| Total | 54 | 14 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 64 | 18 | ||
| IF Elfsborg | 2009 | Allsvenskan | 29 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 37 | 14 |
| 2010 | 17 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 21 | 7 | ||
| 2011 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 18 | 8 | ||
| Total | 59 | 21 | 4 | 1 | 13 | 7 | 76 | 29 | ||
| Melbourne Victory | 2011–12 | A-League | 24 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 3 |
| Total | 24 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 3 | ||
| Western Sydney Wanderers | 2012–13 | A-League | 29 | 11 | – | – | – | – | 29 | 11 |
| 2013–14 | 28 | 10 | – | – | 12 | 8 | 40 | 18 | ||
| 2014–15 | 21 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 28 | 5 | ||
| Total | 78 | 24 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 10 | 97 | 34 | ||
| Career Total | 405 | 121 | 13 | 4 | 42 | 21 | 460 | 145 | ||
1 – includes A-League final series statistics
2 – includes continental tournaments and FIFA Club World Cup; AFC Champions League statistics are included in season ending during group stages (i.e. ACL 2014 and A-League season 2013–14 etc.)
National team statistics
- As of 23 January 2014
CS = Clean Sheets
Honours
Club
- PAOK
- Greek Football Cup: 2000–01
- Newcastle Jets
- A-League Championship: 2007–08
- Western Sydney Wanderers
- A-League Premiership: 2012–13
- AFC Champions League: 2014
Individual
- Melbourne Victory Victory Medal: 2011–12
- Melbourne Victory Players' Player of the Year: 2011-12
- A-League Goalkeeper of the Year: 2012–13
- PFA A-League Team of the Season: 2012–13
- AFC Champions League Most Valuable Player: 2014
Records
- Oldest Western Sydney Wanderers player: 39 years, 326 days
- Oldest Perth Glory player: 40 years, 309 days