Ben Kantarovski
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Benjamin Kantarovski | ||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder / Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Newcastle Jets | ||
| Number | 6 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Broadmeadow Magic | |||
| 2006–2007 | NSWIS | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2008– | Newcastle Jets | 36 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2007–2008 | Australia U-17 | 12 | (3) |
| 2008– | Australia U-20 | 21 | (2) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:47, 29 December 2009 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 17:30, 29 December 2009 (UTC) | |||
Ben Kantarovski (Macedonian: Бен Кантаровски) (born 20 January 1992 in Newcastle, Australia) is an Australian football (soccer) player currently playing for the Newcastle Jets.
Club career
Newcastle Jets
Kantarovski was signed to a four year contract by the Newcastle Jets in January 2008 while attending Lambton High School at only 15 years of age, making him the youngest player in A-League history to sign a full-time A-League contract, and one of the youngest players in world football to do so.[1] He made his A-League debut in Round 1 of the 2008-09 season against the Central Coast Mariners playing as a defender. He was only 16 years and 208 days old making him at the time, the youngest player in A-League history. Kantarovski has since played in many different positions for the Newcastle Jets, including right-back, centre-back, left-back, holding midfielder and attacking midfielder.[2] Kantarovski was named the Newcastle Jets Player of the Season in his debut year, despite only playing a handful of games.[3]
Kantarovski has already attracted the interest of one of the powerhouses of German, European and world football, Bayern Munich. Kantarovksi spent a week trialling with the Bundesliga giants in April, 2009. At the conclusion of this trial, it appeared Bayern's interest in Kantarovski only grew, making it increasingly likely that Kantarovksi would depart the A-League for Bayern once he reached the age of 18, FIFA's minimum age for a football player to play for a foreign club.[4] After turning 18, Kantarovski opted to turn down an offer to join Bayern Munich's youth system. He did so after receiving the Kimon Taliadoros scholarship for his educational achievements.
International career
Kantarovski has represented Australia's U-17 team on 12 occasions, scoring 3 times.[5] He recently represented the U-20 team at the U-20's World Cup, starting in all of their group games, playing as a midfielder in the first game, before being shifted in to the heart of defence. Despite suffering from a knee injury, Kantarovski played for Young Socceroos throughout their World Cup campaign.
Kantarovski was called up by Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek into the Socceroos squad to play Kuwait in the AFC Asian Cup qualifying game against Kuwait, as well as inviting Ben to a training camp with the Socceroos squad.
Kantarovksi has been selected by Young Socceroos coach Jan Verslejen to captain the Young Socceroos despite being one of the youngest players in the squad. Verslejen cited Kantarovski's Hyundai A-League and AFC Champions League experience, as well as being a member of the Young Socceroos U/20 World Cup campaign as three big reasons for his appointment as captain.
Kantarovksi recently captained the Young Socceroos to victory in the 2010 Asean Football Federation Under-19 Championship, after their 1-0 win in the final against Thailand.
Career Statistics
| Club | Season | League1 | Cup | International2 | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Newcastle United Jets | 2008–09 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| 2009–10 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 20 | 0 | |
| 2010–11 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
| Total | 35 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 42 | 0 | |
1 - includes A-League final series statistics
2 - includes FIFA Club World Cup statistics; AFC Champions League
Honours
With Australia:
Personal Honours:
- Newcastle Jets Player of the Year: 2008-2009
- Newcastle Jets Rising Star: 2008-2009
References
- ^ Gardiner, James (2008-01-14). "Kantarovski grounded as record-breaking early take-off with Jets looms after four-year deal". The Herald. Retrieved 2008-01-17.
- ^ Dillon, Robert (2008-08-16). "Joel to rescue: Griffiths snatches a point with late penalty for Jets". The Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 2008-08-16.
- ^ http://www.tribalfootball.com/newcastle-starlet-kantarovski-trial-bayern-munich-233378
- ^ http://www.tribalfootball.com/newcastle-starlet-kantarovski-trial-bayern-munich-233378
- ^ Joeys Squad Named