Sky is the limit for Subara
Former Bonnyrigg White Eagles star Goran Subara isn’t a household name by a long stretch, but he did take on the mighty Chelsea in a pre-season friendly last Wednesday night.
After plying his trade in the NSW Super League with the White Eagles, Subara left Sydney in 2009 to test himself abroad. Since his move away from home, Subara has played in three different South East Asian countries starting in Singapore, then Indonesia and now in Thailand.
FNSW caught up with the modest former Bonnyrigg White Eagles junior after his match on Wednesday night with Chelsea.
“Playing against Chelsea was an unbelievable experience! Having the opportunity to play against big players such as Ivanovic, Essien, Hazard…. comes only once in a lifetime for some players. I am very thankful to have had the chance to do so”.
“I was lucky enough to spend some time in their change room and speak to Ivanovic and Mourinho. I can personally say that they are very humble and easy going. Not one bit arrogant as the media makes them look”.
Subara currently plays for Bangkok Glass in the Thai Premier League and after a slow start to the season they have picked up their form and currently occupy 6th spot on the league table.
“We had a very slow start to the season, picking up only 2 draws from our first 8 games. I only played in 2 games as I had a few niggling injuries. During that time, two coaches were replaced which didn’t help. Finally the club signed the former coach of Buriram FC and we haven’t looked back since. He has brought in stability and organization, and the players have responded marvelously to his tactics. Which is why we have improved and still improving as the season is going.”
Subara got his opportunity to play against Chelsea after being selected in the Singha Thai All-Stars team. Good performances and form in the league of late were his ticket into the team.
“I have had some good performances of late but the team has also been playing well and when confidence is high within the camp everybody lifts their game.”
The atmosphere at matches is hostile and intriguing.
“The atmosphere here in Thailand is tremendous! Our stadium can hold around 13-14 thousand fans. It is sold out for all the big games. For the other games we get about 10 thousand people. The fans are very passionate and vocal, similar to the fans of Western Sydney. They don’t stop chanting for their team the whole night.”
Before getting here, Subara first played for Gombak United FC in Singapore under the guidance of Australian coach Darren Stewart.
“Former Socceroo Milan Blagojevic and Darren Stewart helped me get my first taste of foreign football as Daren was in search of a centre back and Milan recommended me. At that time my contract with Bonnyrigg had finished and I was training in Melbourne with the Altona Magic. As soon as I got the call I made the decision to go over to Singapore and trial. After one training session with Gombak I was offered a contract”.
The change of culture and living alone wasn’t easy for him at the start.
“It took a few days to kick in because I felt as though I was on a holiday at first.”
“Being in a different country, culture, with no family and friends is daunting. I was put in a mansion with three other foreigners who I knew nothing about. Luckily for me they were good guys and helped me acclimatise to my new surroundings.”
“Another advantage I had of moving to Singapore is that they predominantly speak the English language”.
He then moved to Indonesia for a short spell in 2010 and then back again to Singapore where he played for two different clubs and re-united with Stewart before moving to the Thai Premier League.
“After almost two seasons with Gombak I received an off from the Indonesian PSM Makassar. Fellow Australian Robbie Gaspar recommended me to the coaching staff of PSM and the next day a deal was struck”.
“In my first game for PSM we played in front of 30,000 very passionate and fanatical fans”.
“After issues with the Indonesian league and rebel leagues being formed, i decided to leave Indonesia. I had a dilemma to either come back to Australia and play state league football or go on a holiday when I received a phone call from the boss of the Singapore Armed Forces FC. I decided to go back to Singapore and after finishing 3rd in the league the next season I got a phone call from former coach Darren Stewart. Stewart had just got the job at Balestier Khalsa FC and I quickly re-joined him there.”
“After playing a few years in the S-League I felt it was the right time for a change and former Adelaide United coach Phil Stubbins invited me to come for a trial with his club Bangkok Glass FC after consulting Robbie Gaspar who once again recommended me.”
“I was blessed to receive a contract offer after a 10-day trial and sign for my new club”
The Western Sydney boy from Fairfield keeps a close eye on the A-league and in particular the Western Sydney Wanderers.
“I follow the A League regularly from here. It has improved a lot over the years.”
“Western Sydney has been the best thing since the league has started. Everyone knows that Western Sydney is the heartland of Football in Australia, its unthinkable for the A-League to be without them now. We have seen just how successful they have been after only one season in the league. They have the best fans in the country and great coaching staff. The club will only get better. I am looking forward to watching them play in the ACL, and I’m sure they will be successful.”
At 26 years of age, Subara would love to play back home in the A-league and test himself with the best the country has to offer.
“I have always wanted to play in the A League. When I was playing in the state league it was a bit more difficult to get picked up in the league as they were after experienced players or young Socceroos. It’s good to see the younger players getting more opportunities now, as well as players from the state league.”
“I have been away from Australian football for more than 5 years now, and have made a name for myself here in Asia. So for the time being, I am only concentrating on doing the job for my club Bangkok Glass FC in the Thai Premier League. What the future holds, nobody knows. I take every day as it comes, and by God’s grace, everything will fall into place”.
-By Nikola Pozder
