Jason Culina (born 5 August 1980) is a former Australian Association football, soccer player and coach.

Club career

Culina began his career with Sydney United 58 FC, Sydney United under his father, Branko Culina, before moving to AFC Ajax, Ajax, where he struggled in the reserves. Only after moving to FC Twente, 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 Eindhoven, 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 FC, 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 FC, 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, Parramatta, King's School football coaching staff, helping with the school's first team. In 2016, Culina moved to St. Joseph's College, Hunters Hill, 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 made his debut for the Australia national soccer team, Australia national team against South Africa national football team, 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 national football team, Solomon Islands in Sydney. Culina played in both legs of the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL–OFC play-off), World Cup play-off against Uruguay national football team, Uruguay where Australia qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, 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 national football team, 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 national football team, Iraq.

Personal life

Culina is the youngest son of former Sydney FC and Newcastle Jets coach Branko Culina. He is of Croatian descent. On 5 February 2007, Culina and his wife Terri welcomed their first child, a boy named Roman.

Career statistics

Club

International

:''Score and result list Australia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after Culina goal.''

Honours

Ajax * KNVB Cup: 2001–02 KNVB Cup, 2001–02 * Johan Cruyff Shield: 2002 Johan Cruyff Shield, 2002 * Eredivisie: 2003–04 Eredivisie, 2003–04 PSV * Eredivisie: 2005–06 Eredivisie, 2005–06, 2006–07 Eredivisie, 2006–07, 2007–08 Eredivisie, 2007–08 * Russian Railways Cup: 2007 * Johan Cruyff Shield: 2008 Johan Cruyff Shield, 2008 Individual * Gold Coast United FC, Gold Coast United Player of the Year: 2009–10 Gold Coast United season, 2009–10

References

External links

*
Gold Coast United profile

Migration Heritage Centre feature on Culina family
{{DEFAULTSORT:Culina, Jason 1980 births Living people Australian people of Croatian descent Soccer players from Melbourne Australian expatriate sportspeople in Belgium Australian expatriate soccer players Australia international soccer players 2006 FIFA World Cup players Olympic soccer players of Australia Footballers at the 2000 Summer Olympics 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup players Expatriate footballers in Belgium Australian expatriate sportspeople in the Netherlands Expatriate footballers in the Netherlands National Soccer League (Australia) players Belgian Pro League players Eredivisie players AFC Ajax players De Graafschap players FC Twente players PSV Eindhoven players Beerschot A.C. players Gold Coast United FC players Melbourne Knights FC players Sydney Olympic FC players Sydney United 58 FC players A-League Men players 2007 AFC Asian Cup players 2010 FIFA World Cup players 2011 AFC Asian Cup players Sydney FC players Association football midfielders Sydney United 58 FC managers Marquee players (A-League Men) Australian soccer coaches Australian soccer players