Chris Zoricich ”Zorro” returns to Central!

 

All Whites great Chris Zoricich has returned home to New Zealand after living in England for the past seven years and will assist Peter Martin with the coaching duties at Central United FC for the 2010 NRFL Premier Division season.

"Zorro" is one of the finest defenders New Zealand has ever produced.

He was a professional footballer for 17 years, travelling to four different countries to pursue his footballing career.
Chris left New Zealand at 18 years of age and secured his first contract with Leyton Orient FC in the UK. He spent 4 years with Orient making 86 appearances in the Football League.

He has also played for clubs in Malaysia, Singapore and Australia.
Chris briefly returned to New Zealand in 1994 and played for Central United in the now-defunct Winfield Superclub competition. During that season Chris helped Central qualify for the national round of this competition for the first time in the clubs history.

He then moved onto Australia and the Brisbane Strikers. Australia is where he played most of his professional career making over 200 appearances in the old NSL, the competition which preceded the current A-League.

He returned to the UK for a brief time in 1996/97 and had an extended trial spell with Chelsea who were at that time managed by Ruud Gullit. Whilst never making a first team appearance he was a regular in the reserve sides defence.

Chris returned to Australia to re-sign for the Brisbane Strikers in 1997 after the club had just won the NSL championship. He later represented Sydney Olympic, Newcastle Breakers and Newcastle United, before returning to England and winding down his professional playing days with a number of Conference sides.

He captained New Zealand at two FIFA Confederation Cup tournaments, Mexico in 1999 and France in 2003. His stunning long range free kick, scored from 24 yards against the USA at the 1999 tournament, will always be fondly remembered by New Zealand football followers.

As will his 58th minute winner for the All Whites as they defeated Scottish giants Celtic 1-0 in a friendly match on the 1992 UK tour.
Other memorable international appearances included two 1-0 victories (1998 & 2002) over Australia, while they were still part of the Oceania Football Confederation. These wins clinched qualification for the Confederations Cup in 1999 & 2003.

He also appeared for the All Whites in highly credible draws against top South American sides Uruguay (1995) and Chile (1998).
He was captain of the All Whites when they attained their highest ever FIFA world ranking of 47 in August 2002 and also led the team in draws against top opponents, Poland (1999), Egypt (1999) and Scotland (2003).

  • Date of Birth: 3 May 1969;
  • Position: Defender;
  • NZ All Whites - 77 appearances, 3 goals (including 57 "A" international caps, 1 goal);
  • NZ International Debut - 27 March 1988, vs Israel, World Cup qualifier, aged 18;
  • Final Match for NZ - 22 June 2003, vs France, Confederations Cup, aged 34;
  • NZ All Whites Captain, 1999 - 2003;
  • Confederations Cup Mexico 1999, vs Germany, Brazil & USA;
  • Confederations Cup France 2003, vs France, Columbia & Japan;
  • NZU19 Representative;

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    Pic 1: Chris Zoricich tracks Frenchman Thierry Henry during the 2003 Confederations Cup;
    Pic 2:  French captain Marcel Desailly exchanges pennants with New Zealand Captain Chris Zoricich at the 2003 Confederations Cup;

    Central United Team Management 2010:

    Head Coach: Peter Martin
    Assistant Coach: Chris Zoricich
    Team Manager: Phil Graham
    Phsiotherapist: Katherine Ludbrook