Homecoming ... Eddy Bosnar's free-kicks are renowned. Source:FOX SPORTS
You probably should know a lot more about Eddy Bosnar.
He should have played for Australia by now.
He could have played in the A-League by now.
He would have played in the overseas league that hogs our eyeballs – the Premier League – but for injury.
On Wednesday night, a unique experience – he gets to play at home here in Australia, a foreign land football-wise, with his foreign club, Suwon Bluewings in the AFC Champions League opener against Central Coast.
The Mariners, marshalled by Graham Arnold – Eddy’s second coach as a professional – with Northern Spirit back in 1997.
It’s the latest little story in a career of twists, turns, disappointment, and satisfaction.
He left Australia as a 20 year-old for Dinamo Zagreb and grew up quick.
"A hard place to do well in, learn a lot for football there, learn a lot from life there," Eddy tells foxsports.com.au.
"Make it there, make it anywhere."
From Croatia, to Austria’s Sturm Graz, European football and the eyes of scouts in England.
He joined Everton at the same time Tim Cahill did. One became an Everton legend. The other never played a game for them.
"I had a pevis injury, had an ankle injury, blood infection after groin surgery – out for nine months," says Eddy, without blinking but making eyes water.
"I went back to Croatia to get fit again but that’s just the way it happens – I don’t regret anything that I’ve done. I’ve tried everything possible in my career to play at the highest level, and have done a decent job, anyway."
From re-building himself in Croatia, he went to Holland then to Japan and now his second season in Korea.
Season 1 wasn’t bad... like the day he could have decapitated a goalkeeper, had he got in the way.
Check it out in the video at the top of the page!
Only one thing is missing. It’s obvious. He brings it up.
"I tell you one sore point, mate – that’s the national team. I’ve got nothing against anybody, but if you’ve played where I’ve played, you get a chance," he points out; a point hard to argue with.
The resume doesn’t lie, but situation after situation has conspired to make a mockery of what should be fact.
"It’s not meant to happen mate, it’s not meant to happen!" he says with a laugh.
"When they needed someone, maybe I wasn’t playing well. When I was playing well, somebody was playing better.
"It’s a little bit sad."
But what can you do? Farina and Verbeek were in touch and interested, but both times it fell apart.
Holger Osieck has been in touch, but even then, fate is doing its best to derail good intentions. They met up in Korea before the Socceroos' friendly in November. Holger said he’d watch Eddy play. Eddy got sick for three days and didn’t play.
What. Can. You. Do?
He loves what he does, and speaks as enthusiastically as any player at any level – champions League to chumps in the park – about a new season, which starts against Central Coast.
Eddy hasn’t had word, but you’d think with the Oman World Cup qualifier a month away, someone involved with the Socceroos will be watching.
Especially with Lucas Neill suspended, Matthew Spiranovic currently injured, Rhys Williams out of form and Sasa Ognenovski (for some reason) out of favour.
Socceroos, aside, Australia still appeals to the 32 year-old.
"My dream is to play in the A-League one day. You want that feeling, being at home, get mum and dad to watch my games," he says.
The option is still there, but football clubs are like bridal parties – you don’t ask to be in them.
He’d take a call if one came – from an A-League club or the Socceroos – but he’s not hanging by the phone.
The fairytale finish, in the main, doesn’t exist and it won’t define Eddy Bosnar the footballer.
He’s quite happy with what he’s become. Isn’t that all you can ask?
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