Victor Cristaldo (born 10 May 1967)[1] is an Argentine-born Australian former professional footballer of Paraguayan descent who played as a midfielder and currently works as a coach.[1][2][3]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Victor Cristaldo | ||
| Date of birth | 10 May 1967 | ||
| Place of birth | Argentina | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1984 | Leicester City | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1983–1984 | Keilor | ||
| 1984 | Leicester City | 0 | (0) |
| 1985–1987 | Melbourne Croatia | 24 | (0) |
| 1988–1992 | Thomastown | 139 | (17) |
| 1993–1996 | Presidente Hayes | ||
| 1996 | Western Suburbs | (2) | |
| 1996–1997 | Sport Colombia | ||
| 1998 | Western Suburbs | (1) | |
| 2002–2005 | Melbourne City | ||
| International career | |||
| Australia U20 | |||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15 May 2011 | |||
In 1985 and 1986, Cristaldo played for Melbourne Knights in the National Soccer League.
Cristaldo then passed 5 seasons in the Primera División Paraguaya from 1993 to 1997. In this task, he featured for Club Presidente Hayes and Club Sport Colombia,[1] becoming the first Australian to play in Paraguay and the second player to play in South America after John Crawley (1990 in Chile).
Following his retirement, Cristaldo became a coach.[1]
He is the father of Australian footballer Christopher Cristaldo.[1]
Early life
editCristaldo was born in Argentina to Paraguayan parents and moved to Australia at the age of 9.[2] He attended Flemington High School.[4]
Career
editLeicester City
editIn 1984, Cristaldo played for Leicester City for three months, scoring 12 goals in 15 games for the club's reserve and youth teams.[4]
Melbourne Knights
editCristaldo started his career with Melbourne club Keilor Park and later joined Melbourne Knights in Australia's National Soccer League in 1985,[4] being a member of the squad for the 1985 and 1986 seasons.[5] In 1986, whilst playing for Melbourne Knights, he was called up to the Argentine Air Force.[4]
Thomastown
editIn 1988, Cristaldo played for Thomastown, where he remained until 1992.[3][6]
Presidente Hayes
editIn 1993, Cristaldo joined Primera División Paraguaya club Presidente Hayes in the city of Asunción. Cristaldo told Australian newspaper The Age "It's like a dream come true. But financially, it's just not possible". Cristaldo's wages in Paraguay were more than three times higher than they were in Australia and the cost of living in Paraguay was much lower. He and his wife, Cynthia, bought a house and the club supplied them with a car.[2] At Presidente Hayes, Cristaldo was teammates with national team players Edgar Denis and Justo Jacquet.[1] Cristaldo hoped that during the Paraguayan off-season that an Australian National Soccer League club would, at the very least, give him a guest stint.[2]
Western Suburbs
editCristaldo played for Western Suburbs in the Victorian State League Division 1 in 1996, scoring two goals.[7]
Sport Colombia
editIn 1996, Cristaldo passed to Club Sport Colombia for the 1996 Primera División season, as Sport Colombia finished fourth in the Torneo Clausura. He remained there until 1997, which was when future national team player Nelson Cuevas debuted for the club.[1]
Western Suburbs
editHe returned to Western Suburbs in 1998.[8]
International career
editCristaldo represented the Australia U-20 national team. In 1993, Cristaldo hoped that his success in Paraguay would prompt Australia's national team coach, Eddie Thomson, to consider adding him to the squad.[2]
Management career
editCristaldo moved into coaching after retiring as a player.[9] He has had roles at a number of clubs including Monash City and Sunshine George Cross.[9][10]
Personal life
editCristaldo is the father of Paraguayan-born Australian footballer Christopher who appeared for the Australia U-20 national team, Melbourne Victory in the A-League and Nacional Asunción in the Primera División Paraguaya.[11]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f g Oceanicos que jugaron en Paraguay deportescde.com [dead link]
- ^ a b c d e "The Age from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on September 9, 1993 · Page 28". 9 September 1993.
- ^ a b Laurie Schwab (26 December 1988). "Uncharitable Crino hist four past JUST". The Age.
- ^ a b c d Laurie Schwab (20 February 1986). "Argentine Air Force calls up Melbourne Croatia teenager". The Age.
- ^ "Croatia Squads 1953-2006" (PDF). SESASport.com. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
- ^ Tony Persoglia. "Thomastown 1992". OzFootball. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
- ^ "1996 Victorian State League Division One Results". OzFootball. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
- ^ "1998 Victorian State League Division One Results". OzFootball. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
- ^ a b "Western Suburbs Club History". Western Suburbs SC. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
- ^ "Geelong soccer star trying out in Argentina". Geelong Advertiser. 30 April 2010.
- ^ Steven Chang (11 September 2013). "New beginnings for Victory's youth". MFootball.com.au.