Joey Didulica

Joseph Anthony " Joey " Didulica [ dʒozɛf didulitsa ] (born 14 October 1977 in Geelong, Australia ) is a former Australian- Croatian football player. The goalkeeper has the son of Croatian immigrants dual citizenship of Croatia and Australia.

Life

Didulica began in his native Australia at the North Geelong Warriors with the football game. In 1996 he moved into the National Soccer League with the Melbourne Knights. In 1999, the transfer to Europe, where he played until 2003 for Ajax Amsterdam. By 2006 Didulica was as a goalkeeper for FK Austria Wien in the Austrian Bundesliga in use. In the season 2005/2006 he was voted the best goalkeeper of the Austrian Bundesliga, and celebrated with the Viennese, the second championship of his career.

Didulica was above average popular with fans of the Austria Vienna because of its loyalty and its use will. However, quite different with the fans of local rivals SK Rapid Wien. Since a crunching tackle the Derby in May 2005 Rapid striker Axel Lawarée the goalkeeper has become a bogeyman for the Rapid fans. He has been locked because this Fouls for 8 games. Because of this, a criminal conviction for negligent injury against Didulica was pending. In the first instance Didulica was found guilty and sentenced to a fine of € 60,000 (of which € 30,000 related) condemned. Didulica appealed against the judgment of a full appeal and was acquitted in June 2007, in the second instance. The civil proceedings against Axel Lawarée was ended by a settlement in which Didulica committed itself to a monetary donation to the Children's dialysis station of the Vienna General Hospital and Axel Lawarée renounced any claims.

In 2006 Didulica joined the Dutch Eredivisie for AZ Alkmaar. There he was hit during a game against PSV Eindhoven on 22 October 2006 by his compatriot Jason Culina on the head and was only able to complete another competitive match in January 2009. After another head injury in 2009 Didulica declared in October 2011 after a total of just 29 appearances for AZ Alkmaar his retirement from professional football.

National

Joey Didulica played a total of four times in the Croatian national team. He made his debut in April 2004 against Macedonia. He was in the Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup in the Croatian squad, but did not at both tournaments are used. In 2000 he was appointed to the Australian Olympic selection for the Olympic football tournament, but had to cancel his participation due to injury. For the Australian U -23 he came, however, from 1998 to 2000 in twelve official and an unofficial game used.

Achievements

• Dutch Supercup winner (AZ 2008/ 09)
• Dutch champion (Ajax 2001/ 02, AZ 2008/ 09)
• Austrian Champion (Austria Wien 2005/ 06)
• Austrian Cup winner (Austria Wien 2004/ 05, 2005/ 06)

Others

Didulica has two children, a daughter and a son with his wife Kate.

His older brother John was also active as a football player, brought it but only a few professional inserts and is now engaged as a director of sport at the new Australian franchise Melbourne Heart. Previously, he worked as a lawyer.