Dandenong City Hajduk win successful 45th Australian Croatian Soccer Tournament

(Photo: 45th CSAA Soccer Tournament)

MELBOURNE, 7 October, 2019 – Dandenong City Hajduk has won the 45th Australian Croatian Soccer Tournament which ended in Melbourne on Sunday. 

The tournament, which was hosted by the Dandenong City Soccer Club and is one of the main events on the calendar for Croatians down under, drew big crowds again this year and was a massive success. 

56 men and women teams from clubs in Australia and New Zealand battled it out for the title of the best Croatian soccer team down under in five competitions – Men’s Division 1, Women’s Division, Men’s Division 2, Masters and Veterans Division. 

The hosts Dandenong City Hajduk won the Division 1 Grand Final, beating Gold Coast Croatia 1-0. 

Dandenong City Hajduk (Photo: 45th CSAA Soccer Tournament)

(Photo: 45th CSAA Soccer Tournament)

In the Women’s Grand Final, Canberra Croatia were too strong for Auckland Croatia from New Zealand, winning 2-0.

Canberra Croatia (Photo: 45th CSAA Soccer Tournament)

(Photo: 45th CSAA Soccer Tournament)

In the Division 2 Grand Final, Edensor Park took the title with a 3-0 over Auckland Croatia.

Edensor Park (Photo: 45th CSAA Soccer Tournament)

(Photo: 45th CSAA Soccer Tournament)

Dandy City Hajduk won the Masters Grand Final 2-0 against Gospić Bears. 

Dandy City Hajduk (Photo: 45th CSAA Soccer Tournament)

(Photo: 45th CSAA Soccer Tournament)

The Veterans Grand Final was won by Gold Coast Croatia 2-1 over Hurstville Zagreb thanks to a last minute winner. 

Gold Coast Croatia (Photo: 45th CSAA Soccer Tournament)

(Photo: 45th CSAA Soccer Tournament)

As well as the football on the pitch, the tournament provided plenty of opportunities to create new friendships and party. 

(Photo: 45th CSAA Soccer Tournament)

The inspiration for the tournament came from the successful Croatian-North American Soccer Tournament founded in 1964. The first tournament was played in Sydney in 1974, followed by a six-club tournament soccer at Melbourne Croatia’s ground Montgomery Park in Essendon in 1975. 

(Photo: 45th CSAA Soccer Tournament)

(Photo: 45th CSAA Soccer Tournament)

Sydney United have the most number of titles to their name (10 titles), followed by Melbourne Knights (7 titles), St Albans Saints (9 titles), Canberra FC (6 titles), Adelaide Raiders (5 titles), and North Geelong Warriors, Whyalla Croatia, Western Knights, Ljubuski FC, Hajduk Sydney, O’Connor Knights, Auckland Croatia, and Brisbane Knights with 1 title. 

(Photo: 45th CSAA Soccer Tournament)

A special mention goes out to all the organisers and volunteers who helped make the tournament such a big success, as well as everyone who turned out to support what has become a true highlight of the year. North Geelong Warriors Football Club will host the 46th Australian Croatian Soccer Tournament in October 2020.