Ivan Vicelich is a former professional footballer from New Zealand, recognized for his defensive skills on the field.
He was honored as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his contributions to football.
Vicelich is New Zealand's second most-capped international player, with 88 caps between 1995 and 2013.
Biography
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Ivan Robert Vicelich is a former professional footballer from New Zealand, known for his versatility as a centre-back and defensive midfielder. He began his football journey with Waitakere City F.C. and Central United F.C. in the Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Premier, where he quickly established himself as a talented player. In 1999, he joined the Football Kingz FC, making a significant impact in the Australian National Soccer League.
Professional Career
Vicelich's professional career took off when he signed with Roda JC Kerkrade in the Netherlands in 2001, where he became a regular starter until 2006. He then moved to RKC Waalwijk before returning to New Zealand to play for Auckland City FC. His time with Auckland was marked by notable achievements, including participation in the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup and winning the adidas Bronze Ball as the tournament's third-best player in 2014. He concluded his playing career with Auckland City in 2015, helping the team secure a championship title.
International Career
On the international stage, Vicelich made his debut for the New Zealand national team in 1995 and went on to earn 88 caps, making him the second most-capped player in Oceania history. He represented New Zealand at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, contributing to the team's historic qualification and performance. His international career included participation in multiple FIFA Confederations Cups and crucial World Cup qualifiers.
Coaching and Broadcasting
After retiring from professional play, Vicelich transitioned into coaching, becoming an assistant coach at Auckland City in 2016. He later took on a role as a football analyst for Sky Sports, providing insights as New Zealand prepared for the 2022 World Cup Qualification. Vicelich's contributions to football, both on and off the pitch, have solidified his legacy in New Zealand's sporting history.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Gallery
Career & Clubs
Vicelich made his full New Zealand debut with a substitute appearance in a 7–0 loss against Uruguay on 25 June 1995. He was included in the New Zealand side for the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup finals in Mexico where he featured in all three group games, and again for the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup finals tournament in France, playing in just two matches. On 16 August 2008, Vicelich announced his retirement from international football, however on 22 May 2009 he answered an SOS by All Whites head coach Ricki Herbert and was recalled to the national team for the 2009 Confederations Cup tournament in South Africa as a replacement for injured captain Ryan Nelsen. Where New Zealand would go on to earn their first ever Senior Men's International point at a FIFA tournament after a 0–0 draw with Iraq. Vicelich continued to make himself available for selection for the crucial 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Bahrain as New Zealand vied for the right to join football's most prestigious tournament for the second time in their history. Vicelich has played 96 times for the All Whites including a record 88 official full internationals in which he scored 7 goals, his appearance in the first leg against Bahrain equalling Vaughan Coveny's then record of 64 official international caps. He went one better in the second leg in Wellington as he helped his country reach the 2010 FIFA World Cup. On 10 May 2010, Vicelich was named in New Zealand's final 23-man squad to compete at the 2010…
From 2021, he became the analyst with fellow former New Zealand goalkeeper, Jacob Spoonley, for Sky Sports as New Zealand build up to 2022 World Cup Qualification.
Vicelich played for Waitakere City and Central United in the Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Premier before establishing himself as one of the best players for the Football Kingz, when the Auckland-based club joined the Australian National Soccer League in 1999. Thanks to the contacts he made through his Football Kingz colleague, John Lammers, he was able to impress Roda JC Kerkrade, with whom he signed in 2001. He was a regular player for the Dutch team until May 2006 when he signed a two-year contract with fellow Eredivisie club side, RKC Waalwijk. He returned to New Zealand and signed with Auckland City in the New Zealand Football Championship before the start of the 2008–09 season and was a key member of the Auckland squad that contested the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in 2009. In July 2010, following the 2010 FIFA World Cup in which Vicelich started every one of New Zealand's three games, he signed a short-term deal to play for Chinese Super League club Shenzhen Ruby for four months. He returned to former club Auckland City in December 2010, following a 30-day stand-down period. Aged 38, he received the adidas Bronze Ball as the third best player at the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco – at which Auckland finished in a surprise third place – bettered only by Real Madrid duo Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos. He played his last game for Auckland City in the 2015 final which they won against Team Wellington on penalty kicks, qualifying for a record…
- Club
- Roda JC Kerkrade (2001–2006)
- Club
- Shenzhen F.C. (2010–2010)
- Club
- Football Kingz FC (1999–2001)
- Club
- Waitakere City F.C. (1993–1995)
- Club
- RKC Waalwijk (2006–2008)
- Club
- Central United F.C. (1996–1999)
- Club
- Auckland City FC (2008–2010)
- Club
- Auckland City FC (2010–)
- Club
- New Zealand national under-17 football team
- Club
- New Zealand national under-20 football team
- Club
- New Zealand Olympic football team
- Club
- New Zealand national under-23 football team
- Club
- Waitakere United (1993–1995)
- Club
- New Zealand Knights FC (1999–2001)
- National team
- New Zealand
- Club
- New Zealand men's national football team (1995–2013)
Trophies & Awards
- Award
- Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit
Clubs
- Auckland City FC2010current
- New Zealand Olympic football teamcurrent
- New Zealand national under-17 football teamcurrent
- New Zealand national under-20 football teamcurrent
- New Zealand national under-23 football teamcurrent
- Waitakere City F.C.1993–1995
- Waitakere United1993–1995
- New Zealand men's national football team1995–2013
- Central United F.C.1996–1999
- Football Kingz FC1999–2001
- New Zealand Knights FC1999–2001
- Roda JC Kerkrade2001–2006
- RKC Waalwijk2006–2008
- Auckland City FC2008–2010
- Shenzhen F.C.2010–2010
Played together with
Aaron MeijersRKC Waalwijk · 2010–2012
Aaron MeijersRKC Waalwijk · 2023- Aaron ScottWaitakere United · 2008–2014
- Abduwali AbletShenzhen F.C. · 2011–2011
- Abel TamataRoda JC Kerkrade · 2012–2013
- Aboubakar OumarouShenzhen F.C. · 2016
- Adam DickinsonAuckland City FC · 2009–2010
- Adam DickinsonAuckland City FC · 2010
- Adam McGeorgeAuckland City FC · 2008–2012
- Adam McGeorgeAuckland City FC · 2015
- Adam McGeorgeCentral United F.C. · 2006–2007
- Adam McGeorgeCentral United F.C. · 2014–2015
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Ivan Robert Vicelich is a New Zealand former professional footballer who played as a centre-back or defensive midfielder. He is his country's second most-capped international and the second most-capped player in Oceania history behind only Chris Wood, having earned 88 caps between 1995 and 2013, and represented his nation at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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