Zoran Rajović Explained

Zoran Rajović
Birth Date:28 October 1979
Birth Place:Vinkovci, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia
Height:1.77 m
Position:Striker
Youthclubs1:Vojvodina
Years1:1997–1999
Clubs1:Vojvodina
Caps1:1
Goals1:0
Years2:1998
Clubs2:Vrbas (loan)
Caps2:15
Goals2:4
Years3:1999
Clubs3:Vrbas (loan)
Caps3:4
Goals3:1
Years4:1999–2000
Clubs4:Beroe Stara Zagora
Caps4:19
Goals4:4
Years5:2001
Clubs5:Dalian Shide
Years6:2002
Clubs6:Vojvodina
Caps6:2
Goals6:0
Years7:2002–2004
Clubs7:Glasinac Sokolac
Caps7:52
Goals7:27
Years8:2004–2005
Clubs8:Zrinjski Mostar
Caps8:30
Goals8:17
Years9:2005
Clubs9:Ashdod
Years10:2005–2006
Clubs10:Hapoel Kfar Saba
Years11:2006
Clubs11:Ethnikos Piraeus
Caps11:8
Goals11:0
Years12:2007–2008
Clubs12:Zrinjski Mostar
Caps12:31
Goals12:13
Years13:2008–2009
Clubs13:Hajduk Kula
Caps13:27
Goals13:6
Years14:2009
Clubs14:Olimpik Sarajevo
Caps14:8
Goals14:2
Years15:2010
Clubs15:Diagoras
Caps15:3
Goals15:0
Years16:2010
Clubs16:Leotar
Caps16:8
Goals16:2
Years17:2011
Clubs17:Rudar Prijedor
Caps17:7
Goals17:0
Years18:2011
Clubs18:BEC Tero Sasana
Years19:2012
Clubs19:Serbian White Eagles
Caps19:22
Goals19:18
Years20:2013
Clubs20:Yadanarbon
Years21:2013–2014
Clubs21:Modriča
Years22:2014–2015
Clubs22:Orašje
Caps22:22
Goals22:8
Years23:2015
Clubs23:Mladost Antin
Caps23:4
Goals23:0
Years24:2016
Clubs24:Orašje
Caps24:7
Goals24:2
Years25:2018–2020
Clubs25:Scarborough SC
Caps25:22
Goals25:8
Years26:2021
Clubs26:Serbian White Eagles
Nationalyears1:1997
Nationalteam1:FR Yugoslavia U18
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Manageryears1:2018–2020
Managerclubs1:Scarborough SC (player-coach)
Manageryears2:2021–2022
Managerclubs2:Serbian White Eagles

Zoran Rajović (Serbian Cyrillic: Зоран Рајовић; born 28 October 1979) is a Serbian football coach and former player.

Club career

Early career

Born in Vinkovci, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia, Rajović moved to Vojvodina at an early age. He was later sent on loan to Vrbas on two separate occasions.[1] In the summer of 1999, Rajović moved to Bulgaria and joined Beroe Stara Zagora. He scored four league goals in 19 appearances, as the club avoided relegation from the top flight.[2] In 2001, he played in Asia with Dalian Shide in the Chinese Super League.[3] After a season in East Asia, he returned to the First League of FR Yugoslavia with Vojvodina.

Bosnia

In 2002, Rajović played in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina with Glasinac Sokolac.[4] [5] After the relegation of Sokolac, he secured a contract with league rivals Zrinjski Mostar.[6] [7] In his debut season with the club, he finished as the Premier League top scorer with 17 goals.[8] He also helped the club secure their first Premier League title.[9]

Middle East

After his championship season, he originally ventured out to the Middle East to play in the Israeli Premier League with Ashdod.[10] Throughout his time with Ashdod, he made his first appearance in a continental tournament by participating in the 2005–06 UEFA Cup.[11] He completed the season with league rivals Hapoel Kfar Saba.[12]

In 2006, he returned to Europe to play in the Beta Ethniki with Ethnikos Piraeus.

Balkans

Following his spells throughout Europe, Rajović returned to his former club Zrinjski Mostar in the winter of 2008.[13] During his second tenure with Zrinjski, he featured in his second continental tournament in matches against Partizan, and FK Rabotnički.[14] He also assisted the club in securing the Bosnian Cup. He spent the next season in the Serbian SuperLiga with Hajduk Kula.[15]

In the summer of 2009, he was originally linked with a move to Borac Banja Luka but he ultimately secured a deal with Bosnian side Olimpik Sarajevo.[16] [17] After a short stint in the country's capital, he departed during the winter transfer market.[18] He returned to Greece to play in the second division with Diagoras.[19] Shortly after his contract was terminated by the club.[20]

After a brief stint in Greece, he returned to the Bosnian premier league in the summer of 2010 to sign with Leotar.[21] His tenure with Leotar was short-lived as his contract was mutually terminated in the winter of 2011.[22] League rivals Rudar Prijedor acquired Rajović for the remainder of the season.[23] [24] He left Rudar after the conclusion of the season.[25]

Stints abroad

In 2011, Rajović returned to Asia to play with BEC Tero Sasana in the Thai Premier League.[26]

In 2012, he played in the Canadian Soccer League with the Serbian White Eagles.[27] In his debut season in the inter-provincial league, he finished the campaign as the club's top goal scorer with 18 goals from 22 appearances.[28] On the club side, he helped the team secure a playoff berth by finishing sixth in the league's first division.[29] In the opening round of the postseason, the western Toronto side defeated SC Toronto.[30] Ultimately, the Serbs were eliminated from the competition in the semifinal round by rivals Toronto Croatia.[31]

Later career

In early 2013, Rajović returned to the Indochina region, where he played in the Myanmar National League with Yadanarbon.[32] For the remainder of the 2013–14 season, he returned to the Bosnian second-tier to sign with Modriča.[33] Following a season with Modriča, he was transferred to Orašje.[34] He had a brief stint in the regional Croatian circuit with Mladost Antin for the first portion of the 2015–16 season.[35] Rajović returned for the remainder of the campaign to his former club Orašje.[36]

In 2018, he returned to the Canadian circuit to become a player-coach for Scarborough SC.[37] Where he won the league championship in 2019.

International career

At the international level, Rajović was capped for FR Yugoslavia at under-18 level.[38] He also featured in two unofficial matches for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Managerial career

In 2018, he was appointed as a player-coach for Scarborough SC in the Canadian Soccer League.[39] In his debut season as a manager, he led the Toronto side to a playoff berth by finishing fourth in the first division. They would defeat Hamilton City in the opening round of the postseason.[40] In the next round, Scarborough successfully defeated FC Ukraine United to qualify for the CSL Championship final.[41] Scarborough would face Vorkuta in the championship finals, where they were defeated in a penalty shootout.[42]

The following season the club finished as runners-up in the division and secured a postseason berth.[43] In the playoffs, Rajović led the eastern Toronto team to the championship finals for the second consecutive season where they defeated Ukraine United.[44] [45] In 2020, he secured the club's first divisional title.[46] For the third consecutive time, he led the club to the championship finals where they were defeated by Vorkuta.[47] [48]

In 2021, Rajović became the assistant coach for the Serbian White Eagles, and shortly after was promoted to head coach.[49] He helped the team clinch a playoff berth and was eliminated in the first round by his former club Scarborough. He held this position until April 2022.[50]

Personal life

He holds Serbian, Croatian, and Bosnian-Herzegovinian passports. His father is former Dinamo Vinkovci player Milorad Rajović. Rajović was the agent of footballer Stefan Mitrović.[51] [52]

Honours

Player

Zrinjski Mostar

2004–05

2007–08

Individual

2004–05

Manager

Scarborough SC

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Statistika odigranih prvenstvenih utakmica i datih golova za FK Vrbas 1969-2007 . Statistics of championship games played and goals scored for FC Vrbas 1969-2007 . 22 April 2017 . fkvrbas.weebly.com . sr.
  2. Web site: 20 May 2016 . "Берое в елита": 1999-2000 г. – Завръщането . "Beroe in the elite": 2000-2001 - Barrage . 22 April 2017 . beroe.bg . bg.
  3. Web site: Zoran Rajović. https://archive.today/20130222193456/http://por.worldfootball.net/spieler_profil/zoran-rajovic/%23redirect. dead. 22 February 2013. 22 February 2013. archive.li. 14 December 2018.
  4. Web site: Karać . Goran . 21 September 2009 . Šipovac novi direktor FK Boraca . Šipovac is the new director of FC Boraca . 16 February 2024 . Nezavisne novine . sr.
  5. Web site: FK Glasinac 2003-04 . 14 December 2018 . en.eufo.de.
  6. Web site: Škorić . E. . 21 May 2018 . Pamtite li sve topnike Premijer lige? . Do you remember all the Premier League Gunners? . 16 February 2024 . sportsport.ba . bs.
  7. Web site: Zrinjski Mostar 2004-05 . 14 December 2018 . en.eufo.de.
  8. Web site: 27 February 2016 . Zoran Rajović: Živjet će u nama dok Neretva teče . Zoran Rajović: He will live in us while the Neretva flows . 22 April 2017 . hercegovina.info . hr.
  9. Web site: Krvavac . Fuad . 8 May 2005 . Zrinjski make Mostar proud Inside UEFA . 16 February 2024 . UEFA.com . en.
  10. Web site: 13 January 2014 . Zoran Rajović: Prvu sezonu u Zrinjskom i danas smatram najboljom . Zoran Rajović: I still consider the first season in Zrinjski the best . 16 February 2024 . www.hercegovina.info . hr.
  11. Web site: UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup 2005/06 Details . 16 February 2024 . www.rsssf.org.
  12. Web site: Hapoel Kfar Saba 2005-06 . 14 December 2018 . en.eufo.de.
  13. Web site: 8 June 2008 . Jović okuplja ekipu 22. juna . Jović gathers the team on June 22 . 16 February 2024 . sportsport.ba . bs.
  14. Web site: UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup 2007/08 Details. RSSSF. 14 December 2018.
  15. Web site: Hajduk Kula 2008-09 . 14 December 2018 . en.eufo.de.
  16. Web site: Beganović . A. . 22 September 2009 . Zoran Rajović na korak do Borca . Zoran Rajović is one step closer to Borec . 15 February 2024 . sportsport.ba . bs.
  17. Web site: Beganović . A. . 23 September 2009 . Zoran Rajović potpisao za Olimpik . Zoran Rajović signed for Olimpik . 15 February 2024 . sportsport.ba . bs.
  18. Web site: Beganović . A. . 31 January 2010 . Rajović između Slobode i Sarajeva . Rajović between Sloboda and Sarajevo . 15 February 2024 . sportsport.ba . bs.
  19. Web site: 20 January 2010 . Τριπλή μεταγραφική ενίσχυση για Διαγόρα . Triple transfer support for Diagoras . 16 February 2024 . www.contra.gr . el.
  20. Web site: 25 January 2010 . Παρελθόν και τυπικά Κορακάκης, Ράγιοβιτς . Past and typical Korakakis, Rajovic . 16 February 2024 . www.sport24.gr . el.
  21. Web site: Banović . D. . 9 May 2010 . Zoran Rajović stigao u Leotar . Zoran Rajović arrived in Leotar . 14 December 2018 . SportSport.ba . bs.
  22. Web site: Banović . D. . 19 January 2011 . Rajović napustio Leotar . Rajović left Leotar . 15 February 2024 . sportsport.ba . bs.
  23. Web site: Basara . Slavko . 27 March 2011 . Zoran Rajović: Nisam pogrešio u izboru kluba . Zoran Rajović: I did not make a mistake in choosing the club . 14 December 2018 . Glas Srpske . bs.
  24. Web site: Banović . D. . 28 February 2011 . Zoran Rajović u Rudaru! . Zoran Rajović in Rudar! . 15 February 2024 . sportsport.ba . bs.
  25. Web site: Beganović . A. . 4 June 2011 . Jevtić napustio Rudar . Jevtić left Rudar . 15 February 2024 . sportsport.ba . bs.
  26. Web site: Škorić . E. . 13 July 2011 . Rajović karijeru nastavlja na Tajlandu . Rajović continues his career in Thailand . 15 February 2024 . sportsport.ba . Croatian.
  27. Web site: 20 July 2012 . Sve što ste hteli da znate... o kanadskoj CLS ligi . Everything you wanted to know... about the Canadian CLS League . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20190307155431/http://www.mozzartsport.com/news/228384/sport:nekategorizovano/title:sve-sto-ste-hteli-da-znate-o-kanadskoj-cls-ligi . 7 March 2019 . 11 November 2022 . Mozzart Sport . sr.
  28. Web site: Adamson . Stan . 12 November 2016 . Procession of incoming Talent Key to Success of 2016 Champions….never ending arrivals keep Serbian White Eagles on top . 22 April 2017 . canadiansoccerleague.ca .
  29. News: 3 October 2012 . Playoff spot in the balance for Brampton City . Brampton Guardian.
  30. News: Hayakawa . Michael . 15 October 2012 . York Shooters in CSL semifinals . Vaughan Citizen.
  31. Web site: 21 October 2012 . Montreal Academy, Toronto Croatia in Championship Final......SC Toronto Reserves and Brampton City Utd Reserves in Second Division final . 15 February 2024 . canadiansoccerleague.com.
  32. Web site: 22 January 2013 . Zoran Rajović: Igranje za Zrinjski mi je najdraže u karijeri . Zoran Rajović: Playing for Zrinjski is my favorite in my career . 22 April 2017 . hercegovina.info . hr.
  33. Web site: Jeremic . Sladjan . 24 February 2014 . RS-Sport: Stvara se tim za velika dijela . A team is created for large parts . 15 February 2024 . RS-Sport.
  34. Web site: 23 May 2015 . Zoran Rajović svrgnuo lidera, Branitelj uzeo bod u Jablanici . Zoran Rajović overthrew the leader, Branitelj took a point in Jablanica . 15 February 2024 . Bljesak.info . en.
  35. Web site: Rajović u Orašju - Posavina Sport . Rajović in Orašje . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20181214032758/http://www.posavinasport.com/zanimljivosti/igraci/item/3485-rajovi%C4%87-u-ora%C5%A1ju.html . 14 December 2018 . 14 December 2018 . www.posavinasport.com . hr-hr.
  36. Web site: 3 November 2016 . Zoran Rajović: Igrao sam u mnogim klubovima ali Zrinjski ostaje najbolji dio moje karijere . Zoran Rajović: I played in many clubs, but Zrinjski remains the best part of my career . 15 February 2024 . www.hercegovina.info . hr.
  37. Web site: Sokolović . A. . 5 December 2018 . Zoran Rajović za Radiosarajevo.ba: Moje prijateljstvo s Lukom Modrićem . Zoran Rajović for Radiosarajevo.ba: My friendship with Luka Modrić . 3 December 2019 . Radio Sarajevo.
  38. https://www.11v11.com/players/zoran-rajovic-192064/ Zoran Rajovic
  39. Web site: Stanchev . Stancho . 18 June 2018 . Футболен мениджър от Брежани се прицели в титлата в Канадската първа лига . A football manager from Brezani has set his sights on the Canadian First League title . 14 December 2018 . Вестник СТРУМА . bg-BG.
  40. Web site: Adamson . Stan . 30 September 2018 . Waterloo and Scarborough Advance in CSL Championship Playoffs . 14 February 2024 . Canadian Soccer League . en-US.
  41. Web site: Adamson . Stan . 8 October 2018 . Stokiljkovic Winner Puts Scarborough in CSL Championship Final . 14 February 2024 . Canadian Soccer League . en-US.
  42. Web site: Stanchev . Stancho . 18 October 2018 . Прокобата на дузпите отново провали К. Димитров в Канада . The penalty shootout again failed K. Dimitrov in Canada . 14 December 2018 . Вестник СТРУМА . bg-BG.
  43. Web site: Adamson . Stan . 29 September 2019 . Vorkuta Completes Regular Season Unbeaten . 14 February 2024 . Canadian Soccer League . en-US.
  44. Web site: SCARBOROUGH ON TOP…..Vorkuta B wins Second Division Championship – Canadian Soccer League. Adamson. Stan. 26 October 2019. en-US. 3 December 2019.
  45. Web site: Stanchev . Stancho . 28 October 2019 . От Третия Огит! Брежанецът К. Димитров триумфира с шампионската титла в Канада . FROM THE THIRD EXPERIENCE! Brezhanets K. Dimitrov triumphed with the championship title in Canada . 5 January 2020 . Вестник Струма . bg-BG.
  46. Web site: Stanchev . Stancho . 14 October 2020 . К. Димитров-Брежанеца отново спечели редовния сезон на канадската лига . K. Dimitrov-Brezhanetsa again won the regular season of the Canadian league . 26 November 2020 . Вестник СТРУМА . bg-BG.
  47. Web site: Adamson . Stan . 18 October 2020 . Vorkuta Rally for CSL Championship Victory . 23 October 2020 . Canadian Soccer League . en-US.
  48. Web site: Stanchev . Stancho . 30 October 2020 . Брежанецът К. Димитров и подопечните му сдадоха титлата в Канада, привикаха на пожар ексорлето Кр. Бибишков, но не го пуснаха на терена . Brezhanets K. Dimitrov and his wards handed over the title in Canada, summoned the exorcist Kr. Bibishkov, but they did not let him on the field . 26 November 2020 . Вестник СТРУМА . bg-BG.
  49. Web site: Stanchev . Stancho . 4 November 2021 . Бивши играчи на "Беласица" и "Литекс" сътвориха голово зрелище в Канада . Former Belasitsa and Litex players created goal spectacle in Canada . 5 November 2021 . Вестник СТРУМА . bg-BG.
  50. Web site: Re-Cap of 2022 Signings . Vujcic . Djuradj . serbianwhiteeagles.ca . 15 February 2024 . 16 November 2022 . en . https://web.archive.org/web/20240204235923/https://serbianwhiteeagles.ca/en/2022/11/re-cap-of-2022-signings/ . 4 February 2024 . dead.
  51. News: Ninković . Dušan . 24 December 2021 . Crvena zvezda i Partizan žele Stefana Mitrovića . Zvezda sent an offer, and Partizan is interested. . 8 August 2022 . sr . Mondo .
  52. Web site: 8 July 2023 . Nekada najbolji strijelac Premijer lige otkrio nogometaša kojeg želi pola Evrope . Once the top scorer of the Premier League discovered the footballer that half of Europe wants . 15 February 2024 . Sportske.ba . bs-BA.