Alija Solak Explained

Alija Solak
Birth Place:Bosnia and Herzegovina SFR Yugoslavia
Position:Forward
Years1:1963–1969
Years2:1970–1974
Years3:1975
Caps3:6
Goals3:1

Alija Solak or Aleja Solak (born 1944) is a Bosnian retired footballer who played in the National Soccer League, and the North American Soccer League.

Playing career

Solak began playing football in 1963 with FK Famos Hrasnica in the Yugoslav Second League. In 1969, he arrived to Canada and was recruited by Toronto Croatia to play in the National Soccer League from 1970 till 1974.[1] [2] In his debut season with Toronto he finished as the club's top goal scorer with 23 goals.[3] In 1971, he assisted Croatia in winning the Canadian Open Cup by recording a goal against Vancouver Eintracht.[4] Throughout his tenure with Toronto he won the NSL Championship in 1971, and 1974.[5] [6]

After Croatia joined the North American Soccer League as the Toronto Metros-Croatia in 1975 he appeared in six matches and recorded one goal.[7] [8] He made his debut on May 23, 1975 against Philadelphia Atoms.[9] He also played in the Kitchener and District Soccer League.[10]

International career

Solak was called to the Canada men's national soccer team camp by head coach Frank Pike in 1973.[11] He was selected for the Canadian select team in a match against Arsenal F.C.[12]

Notes and References

  1. News: Gradski vijećnik Toronta: Ova momčad je nešto najbolje što se moglo dogoditi našoj ligi. Svi žele pobijediti Croatiju!. Sopta. Marin. 2017-09-13. hr.
  2. News: Waring. Ed. May 14, 1970. Soccer league seeks to keep games orderly. 41. The Globe and Mail.
  3. News: November 3, 1970. Soccer league has a good year at gate. 14. Toronto Daily Star.
  4. News: Waring. Ed. October 18, 1971. Croatia too good for Eintracht; Toronto team blanks champs, 3-0. S10. The Globe and Mail.
  5. News: Istaknuti nogometaši i treneri hrvatskog iseljeništva - treći dio. Sopta. Marin. 2017-09-19. hr.
  6. News: Koep. Bob. October 12, 1971. Croatia confirms right to crown. 20. Toronto Daily Star.
  7. Web site: NASL-. www.nasljerseys.com. 2017-09-13.
  8. Web site: 2014-01-29. V. Magaš: Hrvatski grb na prsima Crne pantere. 2020-06-05. Portal Hrvatskoga kulturnog vijeća. hr-hr.
  9. News: Kernaghan. Jim. May 1, 1975. Soccer club rises from ashes. C5. Toronto Star.
  10. Web site: Soccer in Waterloo region - scwaterloo.ca. 2020-06-05. www.scwaterloo.ca.
  11. Web site: Canada Soccer. 2020-06-05. canadasoccer.com.
  12. News: May 15, 1973. Team to take on Arsenal includes 12 from NSL. 21. Toronto Star.