Time to spare a thought for Simunic
Roar Pro By Chowder, 2 Jan 2010 Chowder is a Roar Pro
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It’s time to spare a thought for Australian born Croatian international Josip Simunic. Spurned by Australians, perhaps it’s time to reconsider his connection to our football.
Arguably one of the greatest games of the 2006 World Cup was Australia versus Croatia in the group stages, which was pure drama. We all remember a shocker of a game for referee Graham Poll (who gave three yellow cards to Simunic).
It was obvious to the casual observer that tensions were high and heated between the two teams.
Much of this was directed through Simunic, raised Australian but targeted by the Socceroos for having chosen Croatia as his national team of choice.
While definitely not as heated, the Socceroos versus Serbia fixture will still have a little bit of intensity thanks to the origins of our players from the Balkans.
Ironically, Simunic will most likely want to be supporting the Socceroos more than Serbia if international politics is anything to go by.
And of course, he’ll be reminded of the green and gold once more. Personally, I wonder what will be going through his mind as Australia battles away at the World Cup while he is left to play on in Hoffenheim.
Spare another thought for Simunic who was reported to have battled depression while playing for Hamburg, reported in close proximity to the depression related suicide of German goalkeeper Robert Enke.
The news broke in November, but was widely unreported. Was it not newsworthy enough or was it because he’s uninteresting to Australians?
And similarly, is there a connection between this depression and his relationship with the Socceroos and Australian public?
These are open ended questions that we may never have the answer to.
Despite opting to be a Croatian international, Simunic is still a great success story of how the Australian football system can get it right with raising footballers.
He was voted Best Defender of the Year for 2008-09 season in the Bundesliga, showing his immense talent as a defender.
And my personal view is that if the man wants to come back to Australia and live, he can contribute to Australian football again.
His knowledge and experience is vast, and he carries an international flavour which will differ to most of the returning Socceroos.
Simunic may not be over with his contribution to Australian football. So, Roar readers, should we rethink Josip Simunic and his connection to our football?
January 2nd 2010 @ 12:25am
Rob said | January 2nd 2010 @ 12:25am | Report comment
No…in the words of the great philosopher of Australian football John Kosmina. “Its like old girlfriends, you just cant go back” Certainly not after he actually played against Oz in a WC
January 2nd 2010 @ 12:43am
jimbo said | January 2nd 2010 @ 12:43am | Report comment
Suminic and the Croatian team (and Serbia of course) have some very talented players and its a shame in a way that Croatia won’t be there in SA.
Australian football has a rich vein of Croatian and Serbian heritage that has become distinctly Aussie for the majority of them and people choose to play for another national football team for different reasons.
Being regularly overlooked for Socceroos selection by Frank Farina being high on the list.
One of our greatest ever Croatian Aussies Ned Zelic was also let down by Farina and chose to play for no country at all rather than play with Farina.
January 2nd 2010 @ 8:40am
David said | January 2nd 2010 @ 8:40am | Report comment
I have no repect for the man as he was bought up the AIS and turned on his country he they needed him most. Mark Bosnich was the best player Australia had ever produced at the time he could of played for Croatia but he played for Australia, Vidkua too and Skoko list goes on
January 2nd 2010 @ 11:26am
GC_Clint said | January 2nd 2010 @ 11:26am | Report comment
pfft let the Croatians spare a thought for him, he isn’t Australian anymore.
Interestingly I saw quite a few people people wearing Simunic shirts at the GC vs Roar game on boxing day….
January 2nd 2010 @ 11:30am
Aljay said | January 2nd 2010 @ 11:30am | Report comment
Yep, I think it is important to remember that one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga is much more a result of the Australian system than Cahill, Kewell or Neill. Gee he could fill a hole in the Socceroos now….
January 2nd 2010 @ 12:56pm
Al said | January 2nd 2010 @ 12:56pm | Report comment
Simunic is not our problem anymore. All of our AIS funding for him was not good enough for him to stay and represent Australia, therefore he is not good enough for us to worry about him. Let the croatians worry about him.
January 2nd 2010 @ 1:09pm
Savvas Tzionis said | January 2nd 2010 @ 1:09pm | Report comment
Has he ever explained why he did it?
Personally, prior to John Howard’s Cultural Wars, he had no reasonable tright to swap allegiances, especially with the ALP’s pursuance of a Civic Nationalism, but now that us non Aglo-Celt’s have been put in our place, why not choose the country of your ancestry?
Makes sense to me. As long as you pay back any AIS or other related benefit’s.
January 2nd 2010 @ 1:18pm
Al said | January 2nd 2010 @ 1:18pm | Report comment
How have non-Anglo Celts been “put in their place” and how does this relate to association football in this country?
January 2nd 2010 @ 9:46pm
Cpaaa 2018 said | January 2nd 2010 @ 9:46pm | Report comment
How sad some of the reports here against Simunic. Does anyone have any objection to Jelena Dokic once again playing tennis for Australia after turning her back to play for serbia? Would you feel the same if Kostya Tszyu decided to tear up his Australian citizenship?
I see Australia as a “you are always welcome” place. Understanding and forgiveness for our sports stars, no matter what the choices they may make whether they were born here or not we still consider them Australians.
As for the tax payer forking the bill, we are talking about pigeon crumbs. i have more concern about our politicians living a 5 star life style at our expense, but i guess you could argue that they are contributing to the country.
For me Simunic would always be welcome back to Australia, and any other travelled footballer for that matter and someone like Simunic would bring back a wealth of football knowledge. Perhaps even through a coaching role, for his experience overseas would be invaluable to the HAL, AIS and Australia, on or off the pitch, lets hope Simunic one day says ” its my time to come home”
January 2nd 2010 @ 9:59pm
Mr said | January 2nd 2010 @ 9:59pm | Report comment
I’ve not problem with him coming home. We progressed in 2006 – that’s all that mattered.
January 3rd 2010 @ 12:20am
GC_Clint said | January 3rd 2010 @ 12:20am | Report comment
Those pigeon crumbs would have helped develop a young Australian that would have worn the Green and Gold proudly.
Kostya and Jelena both have played for Australia Simunic didn’t. I’m sure everyone here has a problem with politicians expenses but that is for someone else to discuss, we are talking football. As far as football is concerned Simunic is not Australian and I hope he doesn’t come back to inspire other would be Australians to betray their country.
January 3rd 2010 @ 3:52am
jack said | January 3rd 2010 @ 3:52am | Report comment
he chose to play for croatia so get over it everyone.he did it because he wanted to and that’s it.why is this story always brought up time and time again? the man has had a damn good career playing in one of the best leagues in the world, he has also represented croatia at 2 euro cups and 2 world cups so he doesn’t regret his decision one bit. turn the page please.
January 3rd 2010 @ 3:54am
jack said | January 3rd 2010 @ 3:54am | Report comment
oh and he hardly betrayed his country GC_Clint. it’s just football not war you muppet.