Jason Culina

Jason Culina

Personal information
Full name	Jason Culina
Date of birth	(1980-08-05) 5 August 1980
Place of birth	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Youth career
	St Albans
	Melbourne Knights
1994–1996	Sydney United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1996–1998	Sydney United	32	(1)
1998–1999	Sydney Olympic	21	(1)
2000–2004	Ajax	3	(0)
2001	→ Germinal Beerschot (loan)	12	(1)
2002–2003	→ De Graafschap (loan)	24	(1)
2004–2005	Twente	38	(12)
2005–2009	PSV	98	(3)
2009–2011	Gold Coast United	44	(8)
2011	Newcastle Jets	0	(0)
2012–2013	Sydney FC	8	(2)
Total		280	(29)
International career‡
1996–1997	Australia U-17	5	(6)
1999	Australia U-20	4	(1)
1998–2000	Australia U-23	16	(1)
2005–2011	Australien	58	(1)
Managerial career
2017–2018	Sydney United 58
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18 June 2013 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 18 June 2013

Jason Culina (Croatian: Jason Čulina, pronounced [t͡ʃǔlina]; born 5 August 1980) is an Australian former football (soccer) player and coach.

Club career

Culina at a training session with PSV.

Culina began his career with Sydney United under his father, Branko Culina, before moving to Ajax, where he struggled in the reserves. Only after moving to Twente did Culina begin to shine at the top level in club football. This was proved by his moving to another top Dutch club, PSV. While originally an attack-minded midfielder with Twente, at PSV Culina played more in a disciplined defensive role for the club with immediate success. In his final year at PSV, Culina was mainly deployed at right-back with further success, attributing to Culina's versatility and utility value.

On 9 January 2009, Culina announced his intention to return to Australia after turning down a contract extension from PSV as he sought a new challenge and a fresh start in Australia.

"I want to make a fresh start and I am ready for a new challenge. I am the first international who returns to Australia and I am keen to promote the national competition and raise the standard."

On 14 January 2009, he was signed by Gold Coast United on a three-year contract, becoming the club's first marquee player. On 1 July 2009 he made his Gold Coast debut in a friendly in Singapore against a Singapore Olympic Selection, coming on as a substitute for Steve Pantelidis and scoring in the 88th minute from 25 yards out. On 22 February 2011, it was revealed Culina would join his father Branko Culina at Newcastle Jets. Culina was injured long-term and missed the 2011–12 season. His contract was set aside, but he continued his rehab and training with the club.

On 12 October 2012, Culina signed with A-League club Sydney FC. However, he lasted less than a year with the club, parting ways with the club in February 2013 after a disagreement with manager Frank Farina. Culina announced his retirement on 18 June 2013 at a Football Federation Australia function.

Coaching career

In 2015, Culina joined the King's School football coaching staff, helping with the school's first team. In 2016, Culina moved to St Joseph's College, and was the college's technical director of football and coach of the First XI.

On 16 August 2017, Culina was appointed head coach of Sydney United 58 after Mark Rudan resigned Culina announced his resignation from the role eight games into the season, with four wins and four losses to his side's name.

Culina is now coach of Sydney United 58 FC under 12's.

International career

Culina playing for the Socceroos

Culina made his debut for the Australia national team against South Africa in 2005. He became a regular starter for the Socceroos under head coach Guus Hiddink, who was also his club coach at PSV. His first international goal came in September 2005, against the Solomon Islands in Sydney. Culina played in both legs of the World Cup play-off against Uruguay where Australia qualified for the 2006 World Cup following a dramatic penalty shoot-out. He was selected in the Australian squad for the World Cup, held in Germany, and started all four of Australia's matches.

On 3 March 2010, Culina was named captain of Australia for the first time, in an AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Indonesia, a 1–0 victory. On 18 June 2013, he announced his official international retirement at a function held before Australia's World Cup qualifier against Iraq.

Personal life

Culina is the youngest son of coach and former Sydney FC and Newcastle Jets manager Branko Culina and is of Croatian descent.

On 5 February 2007, Culina and his wife Terri welcomed their first child, a boy named Roman.

Career stats

As of 25 June 2013

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League		Cup		Continental		Total
		Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Sydney United	1996–97	6	0	-		-		6	0
1997–98	26	1	-		-		26	1
Total	32	1	0	0	0	0	32	1
Sydney Olympic	1998–99	20	1	-		-		20	1
	Total	20	1	0	0	0	0	20	1
Ajax	1999–00	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
	2001–02	0	0	4	0	0	0	4	0
	2003–04	3	0	2	0	2	0	7	0
	Total	3	0	6	0	2	0	11	0
Germinal Beerschot (loan)	2000–01	12	1	4	2	-		16	3
	Total	12	1	4	2	0	0	16	3
De Graafschap (loan)	2002–03	24	1	4	2	-		28	3
	Total	24	1	4	2	0	0	28	3
Twente	2004–05	32	11	2	0	-		34	11
	2005–06	6	1	0	0	-		6	1
	Total	38	12	2	0	0	0	40	12
PSV	2005–06	23	0	4	2	2	0	29	2
	2006–07	28	1	5	1	8	0	41	2
	2007–08	18	1	3	0	4	0	25	1
	2008–09	29	1	4	0	6	0	39	1
	Total	98	3	16	3	20	0	134	6
Gold Coast United	2009–10	26	3	-		0	0	26	3
	2010–11	18	5	-		0	0	18	5
	Total	44	8	0	0	0	0	44	8
Newcastle Jets	2011–12	0	0	-		0	0	0	0
	Total	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Sydney FC	2012–13	8	2	-		0	0	8	2
	Total	8	2	0	0	0	0	8	2
Career total		279	29	32	7	22	0	333	36

International goals

Date	Venue	Opponent	Result	Result	Competition	Scored
3 September 2005	Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney	Salomonen	7–0	Won	2006 FIFA World Cup qualification	1 (1)

Honours

Ajax

• KNVB Cup: 2001–02
• Johan Cruyff Shield: 2002
• Eredivisie: 2003–04

PSV

• Eredivisie: 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08
• Russian Railways Cup: 2007
• Johan Cruyff Shield: 2008

Individual

• Gold Coast United Player of the Year: 2009–10

External links

• Official website
• Gold Coast United profile
• Oz Football profile
• Migration Heritage Centre feature on Culina family