Wednesday, 23 October 2002 12:00 AM
Mehmet Durakovic, one of the National Soccer League’s toughest players, is about to embark on a milestone that only five other players have achieved at the Club.
The Socceroo defender will play his 200th match for the Blue and Whites this weekend and join Paul Trimboli, Steve Blair, Steve Panopoulos, Peter Laumets and Paul Wade as the only players to have done so.
The sturdy defender won a Championship with South Melbourne in 1991. Last season he along with 15 other members was inducted into South Melbourne’s Team of the Century and is also part of South Melbourne Hall of Champions.
He is an incredibly strong and courage’s defender, who has the ability to carry on even when injured. His legs never look like tiring and at the age of 37 maintains his position at the back.
In the mid 90’s, Durakovic joined Malaysian Club Selengar for four years and captained the side to a championship. In 1993 he was an integral part of Australia’s World Cup Qualifying campaign and scored the crucial goal against Canada at Sydney Football Stadium. He also played in two legs against Argentina and world famous player, Diego Maradona.
Durakovic is the oldest player to have ever played for South Melbourne in the National Soccer League at 37 years and 7 days (Vs Perth Glory 20.10.2002) and the oldest player who has scored for South Melbourne in the National Soccer League at 36 years and 146 days. (Vs Adelaide City 08.03.2002)
Early in his career Durakovic won a NSL championship with Brunswick, represented Footscray Just and after returning from Malaysia, spent a season with Olympic Sharks before returning home to South Melbourne.