HNK Orijent is a football club from Sušak, the eastern part of the city of Rijeka,
Croatia
, image_flag = Flag of Croatia.svg
, image_coat = Coat of arms of Croatia.svg
, anthem = "Lijepa naša domovino"("Our Beautiful Homeland")
, image_map =
, map_caption =
, capit ...
. The club was established under the name ''Orient'' in 1919. They compete in the
Croatian Second Football League
The Druga nogometna liga ( eng, Second football league), commonly Druga NL or 2. NL) is the third tier of the football league system. The league was established in 1991 following the dissolution of the Yugoslav League. It is operated by the Cro ...
. It is a phoenix club of NK Orijent which ceased activities in 2014 due to financial difficulties. The club is resurrected the same year under the new name, HNK Orijent 1919, but in September 2022 club assembly decided to bring back an old name, HNK Orijent.
History
''Orient''
The club was founded in 1919 in Sušak, eastern part of the present day city of Rijeka, under the name ''Jugoslavenski Športski Klub Orient''.At the time, Sušak was predominantly Croatian, while
Fiume
Rijeka ( , , ; also known as Fiume hu, Fiume, it, Fiume ; local Chakavian: ''Reka''; german: Sankt Veit am Flaum; sl, Reka) is the principal seaport and the third-largest city in Croatia (after Zagreb and Split). It is located in Primor ...
, the western part of the city, was predominantly
Italian
Italian(s) may refer to:
* Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries
** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom
** Italian language, a Romance language
*** Regional Ita ...
. According to the legend, during his time on journey to the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
, one of the club's founders saw a ship named ''Orient'' in the New York Harbor. After he came back, he suggested the new club to be named ''Orient'', a suggestion which was later accepted. Although Orijent spent most of its history in lower tiers of Yugoslav and Croatian football, it was and still is popular among Sušak's population.
The club's greatest success came in 1969 when they were the champions of
Yugoslav Second League
Yugoslav or Yugoslavian may refer to:
* Yugoslavia, or any of the three historic states carrying that name:
** Kingdom of Yugoslavia, a European monarchy which existed 1918–1945 (officially called "Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes" 1918–1 ...
's Division West but were unable to win promotion through playoff. Orijent and city rivals Rijeka contested numerous derbies during the early 1970s. Other notable successes were quarter-finals of
Yugoslav Cup
The Yugoslav Cup ( hr, Pokal Jugoslavije; sr, Куп Југославије; sl, Pokal Jugoslavije, mk, Куп на Југославија), officially known between 1923 and 1940 as the King Alexander Cup ( sh-Latn-Cyrl, Kup kralja Aleksandra, ...
in 1980–81 and 1982–83. Orijent played top tier football only once, during the season 1996–97 when they finished 14th and were relegated.
In June 2014, the club was liquidated due to its inability to service mounting debts. Shortly thereafter, the club was re-established and admitted to the fifth tier of the
Croatian football league system
The Croatian football league system is a series of connected leagues for club football in Croatia. This system has hierarchical format with promotion and relegation between leagues at different levels. Last revision of league system was made in ...
for the start of the 2014–15 campaign. Over the following five seasons, they gained promotion on three occasions, reaching the
Croatian Second Football League
The Druga nogometna liga ( eng, Second football league), commonly Druga NL or 2. NL) is the third tier of the football league system. The league was established in 1991 following the dissolution of the Yugoslav League. It is operated by the Cro ...
As regimes changed, Orijent was often forced to change its name. At various stages of its history the club was known as ''Jedinstvo'', ''Primorac'', ''Primorje'' and ''Budućnost''. Finally, from 1953 onwards, the club carries the original name, ''Orijent'' in various forms (NK Orijent, HNK Orijent 1919, HNK Orijent).
In June 2014, the club was liquidated and shortly thereafter re-established under the new name, HNK Orijent 1919. In September 2022 club assembly decided to rename the club by leaving out 1919 as a year of its original formation, while the club emblem was decided to remain the same. The new name entered official HNS register on 6 October 2022.
Honours
*
Yugoslav Second League
Yugoslav or Yugoslavian may refer to:
* Yugoslavia, or any of the three historic states carrying that name:
** Kingdom of Yugoslavia, a European monarchy which existed 1918–1945 (officially called "Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes" 1918–1 ...
Winner (1):
**1968–69 (West)
*
Croatian Republic Football League
Croatian Republic Football League ( hr, Hrvatska republička nogometna liga) was the highest football league in Croatia within the Yugoslav football system. During the time of SFR Yugoslavia, it was third level league for most of the time and t ...
Yugoslav Cup
The Yugoslav Cup ( hr, Pokal Jugoslavije; sr, Куп Југославије; sl, Pokal Jugoslavije, mk, Куп на Југославија), officially known between 1923 and 1940 as the King Alexander Cup ( sh-Latn-Cyrl, Kup kralja Aleksandra, ...
Josip Skoblar
Josip Skoblar (born 12 March 1941) is a Croatian former professional football player and manager. He was primarily a forward, and also capable of playing on both wings.
He played for Zadar, OFK Belgrade, Hannover 96, Marseille and NK Rijeka. Wh ...
Ilija Lončarević
Ilija Lončarević (born 8 October 1944) is a Croatian professional football manager and former player who was most recently the manager of Croatian Second Football League club Kustošija.
Managerial career
Lončarević led Inker Zaprešić to t ...
(March 1997 – June 97)
*
Rodion Gačanin
Rodion Gačanin is a Croatian association football coach.
Managerial statistics
Honours
;Bahrain Riffa Club
*Bahraini Premier League: 2002-03 2004-05
*Bahraini FA Cup: 2004
*Bahraini Crown Prince Cup: 2002, 2003, 2004
;Al Kuwait Kaifan
*K ...