A first move abroad may not have worked out for Central Coast Mariners midfielder Oliver Bozanic, but ahead of his 50th Hyundai A-League appearance, a second undoubtedly will when he chooses to go down that path again.
A first move abroad may not have worked out for Central Coast Mariners midfielder Oliver Bozanic, but ahead of his 50th Hyundai A-League appearance, a second undoubtedly will when he chooses to go down that path again.
The Qantas Olyroos captain enjoyed a spell in England, first with Reading and then on loan stints at lower league clubs Woking, Cheltenham and Aldershot.
But his return to the Hyundai A-League has yielded arguably even more success, quickly becoming one of the star midfielders in the competition.
Bozanic, usually deployed on the left side of Graham Arnold’s midfield diamond, has become Mr. Reliable for the table-topping Mariners.
He marks his 50th appearance with a clash against Gold Coast United on Friday having become a vital cog in a stable side with their sights set on rebounding after a heart-breaking grand final defeat last season.
The 23-year-old’s start to the campaign was so exciting it even had some touting him, and rightly so, as a potential winner of the Johnny Warren Medal.
Blessed with a precise left foot and excellent decision-making skills, Bozanic is one of several reasons the Mariners sit a huge 11 points clear at the top.
The ever-present Bozanic would probably love to add scoring goals to his already superb repertoire, with his only strike this campaign coming in their 1-0 win over Sydney on January 8 – his 23rd birthday.
A goal Bozanic did score and one probably already forgotten is the Mariners’ second in their grand final loss to Brisbane Roar.
Some of his many skills, mainly positioning and workrate, were highlighted in one play.
Bozanic made a gut-busting 50m run after more than 100 minutes of a game of fierce intensity to tap in what appeared to be the sealer.
Technically, Bozanic has always looked more than comfortable in the Hyundai A-League. The son of former Socceroo and National Soccer League defender Vic may attribute some of his technical prowess to his time overseas, but current boss Arnold also deserves praise.
Only recently has Arnold been given the plaudits he warrants, and the work and faith in Bozanic is worthy of just as much.
Bozanic is destined for a Socceroos cap, one that could come as soon as the World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia in Melbourne on February 29.
He may also become a good example for players struggling overseas to come home and all but ‘restart’ their careers, because one feels his time abroad is not over yet.
Adelaide United’s Dario Vidosic, 24, similarly returned home at the start of this season, a move that could lead to further successes overseas.
The move to the UK at a young age may have aided his development, but after making a name for himself back home, another big move surely awaits Bozanic.
