Eugene Galekovic's FIFA World Cup story
socceroos.com.au 1527483227
We're getting closer and closer to the start of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and as part of our countdown to the tournament, socceroos.com.au are profiling every Australian player who has been to a FIFA World Cup as we feature our Melbourne City stars.
READ: FIFA World Cup: Countdown for the Caltex Socceroos
Cap number: 520
World Cups played at: 2010, 2014
Age at World Cup: 28, 32 (now aged 36)
Clubs played for: Melbourne Knights, Eastern Pride, South Melbourne, Beira-Mar, Melbourne Victory, Adelaide United, Melbourne City
Best World Cup moment:
Galekovic's outstanding consistency between the sticks for Adelaide United saw the shot-stopper travel to World Cups in South Africa in 2010 and Brazil in 2014.
On both occasions he was an unused substitute for all six fixtures, however he offered competition for No.1s Mark Schwarzer and Mathew Ryan.
Career highlight:
A four-time recipient of the Hyundai A-League goalkeeper of the year award demonstrates the massive presence of Galekovic in over 250 appearances.
Galekovic had previously won the Hyundai A-League Championship with Melbourne Victory in 2006/2007 and claimed his second Grand Final win with Adelaide United in 2015/2016 to cement his status in their club's folklore.
The 36-year-old was selected in the PFA A-League Team of the Decade in April 2015 – a year that also saw Galekovic claim the Asian Cup with the Caltex Socceroos.
Post-playing career:
Galekovic has just completing the recent Hyundai A-League season with Melbourne City.
Galekovic was signed by Portuguese outfit Beira-Mar in 2004 from South Melbourne but left the club after struggling for game time.