Goalkeeper Daniel Vukovic has announced his retirement from international football.
The 37-year-old represented Australia at Under 20 and Under 23 level, plus with the Senior National Team, making four appearances for the Socceroos and was a member of the history-making squad at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.
Vukovic, whose junior football club was St Clair United FC in Sydney’s western Suburbs, first made his mark with Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC where he was scouted and signed his first professional contract in 2002 with Parramatta Power FC in the former National Soccer League.
Vukovic, Australian men’s national football team cap #595, has made the decision to retire from international football following the Subway Socceroos most successful FIFA World Cup™ campaign ever.
“There will never be a greater honour in Australian men’s football than pulling on the Socceroos’ jersey and representing your country on the international stage,” said Vukovic.
“I’ll forever be grateful to the coaches who have entrusted me to represented Australia at both youth and senior level, and my teammates along the journey.
“I know the time is right for me to step away from the international scene and present an opportunity to the next generation of talented Australian ‘keepers.
“I would like to thank Football Australia, and particularly Arnie (Graham Arnold) and JC (John Crawley), for their support of my international career and wish everyone associated with the team a hugely successful 2023 and beyond,” concluded Vukovic.
Football Australia CEO James Johnson thanked Vukovic for his contribution to Australian men’s national teams over an extended period of time.
“On behalf of Football Australia and Australian football, I would like to congratulate Danny on a wonderful international career,” said Johnson.
“To date, only 628 footballers have represented the Socceroos over the past centenary, putting Danny in exclusive company.
“We wish Danny and his family all the very best for the future, including on the pitch with the Central Coast Mariners,” concluded Johnson.
Subway Socceroos’ Head Coach Graham Arnold has nothing but praise for Vukovic, who made his first appearance for Australia in 2005 with the Young Socceroos.
“I’ve had the pleasure of coaching Danny at both a domestic and international level for many years and he is the ultimate team player and has been a highly valued member of the Socceroos since he was first selected in the senior national team back in 2018,” said Arnold.
“It’s never an easy decision to retire from playing for your country but Danny does so on his own terms and will forever be a member of the Socceroos Family,” explained Arnold.
Vukovic retires from international football effective immediately and will not feature for the Subway Socceroos during the “Welcome Home” Series this month.
“Subject to availability, the aim is to select the same squad from the World Cup in Qatar for this upcoming series against Ecuador but unselfishly, Danny made the decision to decline the invitation and instead open up the chance for another goalkeeper to be part of the camp and impress for future honours,” concluded Arnold.
The Subway Socceroos will return home to Australia for the first time since their feats at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, when they host Ecuador at CommBank Stadium in Sydney on Friday, 24 March (8.00pm AEDT kick-off) and Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on Tuesday, 28 March (7.30pm AEDT kick-off) as part of a two-match “Welcome Home” Series.
Tickets will go on sale to Football Account holders at 9.00am AEDT Friday, 3 March 2023, and to the General Public from 9.00am AEDT on Monday, 6 March 2023. Tickets will start at $10 for Juniors and $20 for Adults with Concessions starting at $15.
Subway Socceroos’ Welcome Home Series – Match Schedule
Match Day One
Date: Friday, 24 March 2023
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Time: 8.00pm AEDT
Tickets: https://premier.ticketek.com.au
Broadcast: Live on 10 in Sydney and Melbourne, 10 Bold in Adelaide, Brisbane, and Perth, and on 10 Play and Paramount+.
Match Day Two
Date: Tuesday, 28 March 2023
Venue: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Time: 7:30pm AEDT
Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com.au/
Broadcast: Live on 10 Bold, 10 Play and Paramount+