Not to be confused with Chris Zorich.
Chris Zoricich
FullnameChristopher Vincent Zoricich
Birth date3 May 1969 (age 57)
Birth placeAuckland, New Zealand
Height1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
CurrentclubNewcastle Jets Youth (head coach)
PositionDefender
Years 11988
Years 21989–1994
Years 31994
Years 41994–1996
Years 51996
Years 61996–1997
Years 71997–1999
Years 81999–2000
Years 92000–2003
Years 102003–2004
Years 112004–2005
Years 122005
Years 132005
Years 142005
Years 152005–2006
Years 162010
Clubs 1Papatoetoe
Clubs 2Leyton Orient
Clubs 3Central United
Clubs 4Brisbane Strikers
Clubs 5Welling United
Clubs 6Chelsea
Clubs 7Brisbane Strikers
Clubs 8Sydney Olympic
Clubs 9Newcastle United Jets
Clubs 10Margate
Clubs 11St Albans City
Clubs 12Harlow Town
Clubs 13Boreham Wood
Clubs 14Heybridge Swifts
Clubs 15Wealdstone
Clubs 16Central United
Caps 10
Caps 262
Caps 451
Caps 51
Caps 60
Caps 742
Caps 825
Caps 950
Caps 1011
Caps 1139
Goals 10
Goals 21
Goals 46
Goals 50
Goals 60
Goals 72
Goals 80
Goals 90
Goals 100
Goals 112
Nationalyears 11988–2003
Nationalteam 1New Zealand
Nationalcaps 157
Nationalgoals 11
Manageryears 12018–2022
Managerclubs 1Western Springs
Manageryears 22023–2025
Managerclubs 2Cooks Hill United
Manageryears 32026–
Managerclubs 3Newcastle Jets Youth

Chris "Zorro" Zoricich (Croatian: Zoričić, zor̩itʃitɕ; born 3 May 1969) is a New Zealand association football player who represented the New Zealand national football team in the 1980s and 1990s. Born to Croat parents, he began playing football in his native Auckland for Blockhouse Bay Under-7's and went on to play over 50 times for his country.

Club career

Zoricich, nicknamed "Zorro",[1] began his senior career with Papatoetoe in Auckland before moving to Leyton Orient in England between 1990 and 1993. He made 59 first team appearances there, and 12 as a substitute during his time at the club, before work permit restrictions forced him to return home. A group of Orient fans protested outside the Home Office to try to keep him in the country.[citation needed]

In 1994, Zoricich returned to New Zealand to play for Central United, a Croatian-influenced team. His brother, Michael (who played Davis Cup tennis for New Zealand), and his father, Ivan, also turned out for Central at various points. However it was not long before Zoricich was on the move again, this time to Brisbane Strikers in the Australian National Soccer League. He spent two seasons in Australia before heading to England to try his luck again. He made one appearance for Welling United in the Vauxhall Conference and also had a trial spell with Chelsea, at that time managed by Ruud Gullit. During his time at Stamford Bridge, Zoricich never made the first team but was a regular in the reserve side's defence.

Zoricich returned to Australia to re-sign for the Brisbane Strikers in 1997, after the club had won the NSL championship on their home ground. He then ended his NSL career by playing for Newcastle Breakers and Newcastle United, before returning to England as his English wife was homesick. After trialling with League Two side, Mansfield Town, he signed for Margate in the Nationwide Conference[2] and then moved on to St Albans City in the Conference South Division.[3] This was followed by short spells at Harlow Town, Boreham Wood, Heybridge Swifts and Wealdstone.

International career

Zoricich made his international debut against Israel on 27 March 1988.[4] He went on to win 57 caps in full 'A' internationals,[5] including captaining the All Whites at the 1999 Confederations Cup in Mexico and the 2003 Confederations Cup in France.[6] His only international goal was in a 1–2 loss to USA in June 1999 at the Confederations Cup.[7]

International goals

Scores and results list New Zealand's goal tally first.[8]
NoDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.24 July 1999Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara, MexicoUnited States1–21–21999 FIFA Confederations Cup

After International football

Zoricich as of 2014 is the premier football coach a Saint Kentigern College in Auckland.

From 2022 to 2025, Zoricich has been Head Coach of Cooks Hill United FC[9]

From late 2025, Zoricich appointed as the Head Coaches of the Newcastle Jets Youth Men’s Team.[10]

Honours

New Zeland

References

  1. ^ Michael Brown (31 July 2010). "Soccer: Coaching next for Zoricich". The New Zealand Herald
  2. ^ "Margate sign International Skipper". BBC. 2 September 2003. Retrieved 2008-07-25.
  3. ^ "Kinnear in the Dark". BBC. 15 January 2004. Retrieved 2008-07-25.
  4. ^ "A-International Lineups". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. Retrieved 12 February 2009.
  5. ^ "A-International Appearances - Overall". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. Archived from the original on 1 May 2009. Retrieved 12 February 2009.
  6. ^ "France thrash Kiwis". BBC. 23 June 2003. Retrieved 2008-07-25.
  7. ^ "A-International Scorers - Overall". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. Archived from the original on 16 June 2009. Retrieved 12 February 2009.
  8. ^ "Zoricich, Chris". National Football Teams. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  9. ^ friendsoffootballnz_irqgpj (2022-11-23). "Chris Zoricich moves to Australia for coaching role at National Premier League club" (in en-NZ). Friends of Football. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
  10. ^ Wood, Reagan (2025-11-07). "Chris Zoricich and Greg Hartge announced as Academy Head Coaches". Newcastle Jets. Retrieved 2025-11-07.
  11. ^ "Oceania Nations Cup 1998". Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  12. ^ "Oceania Nations Cup 2002". Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  13. ^ "Oceania Nations Cup 2000". Retrieved May 3, 2026.