Matt McKay

For the Canadian Member of Parliament, see Matthew McKay. For the English footballer, see Matt McKay (English footballer).
Matt McKay

McKay with Australia in 2012
Personal information
Full nameMatthew Graham McKay[1]
Date of birth11 January 1983
Place of birthBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
Height1.71 m (5 ft 7 1⁄2 in)
Playing positionCentral midfielder, left midfielder, left back
Club information
Current team
Brisbane Roar
Number17
Youth career
1999–2000QAS
2001AIS
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2001–2004Brisbane Strikers51(2)
2004Eastern Suburbs12(1)
2005–2011Brisbane Roar131(18)
2009→ Changchun Yatai (loan)15(0)
2011–2012Rangers3(0)
2012–2013Busan IPark27(1)
2013Changchun Yatai16(0)
2013–Brisbane Roar41(3)
National team‡
2003Australia U-204(0)
2004Australia U-231(0)
2006–Australia55(2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 16 April 2015.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 5 April 2015

Matthew Graham "Matt" McKay (born 11 January 1983) is an Australian football (soccer) player who plays for Brisbane Roar in the A-League. He also plays for the Australia national team. McKay played for Brisbane Roar since their first season in the A-League, and was their club captain. His most successful season, on both the club scale and at international level, came in the 2010–11 season, in which he led Brisbane to their first ever A-League championship and premiership, and also played an integral role in Australia's second placing in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. He was also part of the Australian squad at the 2014 World Cup and 2015 AFC Asian Cup.

Club career

McKay attended Brisbane Grammar School and played for the School's First XI. After graduating from Brisbane Grammar, McKay spent his formative youth years at both the QAS and AIS. McKay's first club signing was in 1991 for the Sunnybank Saints Soccer Club, competing under the Queensland Christian Soccer Association.[2] [3] McKay was signed by NSL team the Brisbane Strikers in 2001, where he stayed until the conclusion of the 2003–04 National Soccer League season. McKay's last game for the Strikers was a 4–1 Victory over Adelaide United in the Elimination Final #1 as the Strikers could only level the tie 4–4 and bow out of the finals on away goals.[4]

Brisbane Roar

McKay signed on as an inaugural member of the, then, Queensland Roar prior to the 2005–06 season – the first in the history of the A-League. McKay was given the number 15 shirt, which he has retained throughout his career at the Roar. Initialliy signed as a squad player behind the more established South Korean duo Hyuk-Su Seo and Tae-Yong Shin, McKay quickly got his opportunity due to a career-ending injury suffered by Shin in the clubs' first ever A-League fixture, against the now defunct, New Zealand Knights. Following the departure of club captain, Craig Moore midway through the 2009–10 season, McKay was named as club captain. He has played the second highest number of games for the Roar on 130 (Massimo Murdocca currently holds that record – 146), scoring 18 goals.

McKay led Brisbane to their first A-League premiership and championship in 2011. The Roar topped the table, and continued their record-breaking 28-game (run finished at 36) unbeaten run[5] with a miraculous 4–2 (2–2 aet) penalty shoot-out win over the Central Coast Mariners in the 2011 A-League Grand Final.[6] It was reported after the match that a stirring speech by McKay at half-time in extra time boosted the Roar's morale sufficiently to unbelievably overcome a 2–0 deficit.[7]

During his time at Brisbane Roar, McKay had a loan spell in 2009 during the A-League off season.. He joined Changchun Yatai F.C.[8] in the Chinese Super League where he made 15 appearances.

Rangers

On 16 August 2011 Rangers confirmed the signing of McKay awaiting a work-permit,[9] which was granted three days later, with a UK work visa granted a week later.[10] McKay made his Rangers debut against Dundee United on 10 September 2011, coming on as a late substitute.[11]

On 10 January 2012, McKay played and scored in a 4-1 friendly win over Scottish Premier League team Kilmarnock F.C.. On 12 January 2012, it was reported that he had rejected the chance to go on loan to Al Ittihad who reportedly made an offer to Rangers of a loan-to-buy deal.[12]

Busan IPark

Rangers began to have financial problems and on 14 February 2012 a dispute with HMRC came to a head when the business was placed into administration. Rangers were deducted 10 points as per SPL rules, which left them 14 points behind leaders Celtic.[13]

On 22 February 2012, Rangers confirmed that they had agreed a fee with South Korean club Busan IPark for midfielder Matt McKay.[14]

Changchun Yatai

In January 2013, McKay signed a two-year deal with Chinese Super League side Changchun Yatai.[15] In July 2013, McKay mutually terminated his contract by the club.[16]

Brisbane Roar

On 11 August 2013, McKay was announced as Brisbane Roar Australian Marquee for the next 2 seasons [17]

International career

McKay represented Australia at U-20 level in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship.

On 16 August 2006, McKay came on as a substitute for Australia in the 90th minute of the 2007 Asian Cup qualifying match against Kuwait at Aussie Stadium for his first Socceroo cap.[18]

McKay would have to wait until 28 January 2009 for his second cap, starting in Australia's 2011 Asian Cup qualifying match against Indonesia in Jakarta. He would also feature in two more qualification games for the 2011 Asian Cup, starting against Kuwait on 5 March 2009 at Canberra Stadium and playing the second half of the return tie against Indonesia on 3 March 2010 at Suncorp Stadium.

McKay missed out on Pim Verbeek's 2010 FIFA World Cup squad, however he returned to the Socceroos under new manager Holger Osieck and featured in three of Australia's friendlies in the leadup to the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. He came off the bench in the match against Paraguay on 9 October 2010 at the Sydney Football Stadium as well as coming off the bench against Egypt in Cairo on 17 November 2010.

McKay was selected for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup squad by Holger Osieck,[19] and started in the team's pre-tournament friendly against the United Arab Emirates on 5 January 2011 in Al Ain.[20] McKay went on to play a part in every game Australia played at the tournament, initially coming off the bench in the first two games against India and South Korea. He was named in the starting 11 for both the final group stage match against Bahrain and the subsequent quarter-final match against Iraq, and played a vital role in the latter, leading Australia to a 1–0 extra time victory, executing an inch-perfect cross for striker Harry Kewell to head into the goal for the match winner.[21] McKay retained his starting position for the semi-final against Uzbekistan, and was again a key player for Australia in the team's 6–0 win, setting up three goals and being awarded man of the match.[22] Due to McKay's excellent form, he was retained in the starting XI by Osieck for the Asian Cup Final, playing the full 120 minutes as the Socceroos lost by one–nil to Japan.

McKay captained Australia for the first time on 7 December 2012 against Guam in the 2013 EAFF East Asian Cup qualifiers. Australia won the match 9-0.

McKay also represented Australia at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, playing in his preferred midfield position.

McKay was named as part of Australia's 2015 AFC Asian Cup squad. He made his first appearance of the tournament as a starter in Australia's 2nd group game against Oman, scoring Australia's first goal of the game off a Trent Sainsbury header, in an eventual 4-0 win.

Career statistics

Club

As of 16 March 2014
Club Season Division League1 Cup International2 Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Brisbane Strikers 2001–02 NSL 150----150
2002–03 NSL 211----211
2003–04 NSL 151----151
Total 512---- 512
Eastern Suburbs 2004 Brisbane Premier League 121----121
Total 121---- 121
Brisbane Roar 2005–06 A-League 1824000222
2006–07 A-League 2033200235
2007–08 A-League 2335000283
2008–09 A-League 2454100286
2009–10 A-League 1920000192
2010–11 A-League 2730000273
2013–14 A-League 1810000181
Total 1491916300 16522
Incheon United (loan) 2006 K-League 00000000
Total 000000 00
Changchun Yatai (loan) 2009 Chinese Super League 1500000150
Total 1500000 150
Rangers 2011–12 Scottish Premier League 30000030
Total 300000 30
Busan IPark 2012 K-League 2711000281
Total 2711000 281
Career Total 2572317300 27226

1 – includes A-League final series statistics
 2 – includes FIFA Club World Cup statistics; AFC Champions League statistics are included in season commencing after group stages (i.e. ACL and A-League seasons etc.)

International

As of 31 January 2015[1][23][24][25][26]

Australia national team
YearAppsGoals
200610
200700
200800
200920
201030
2011170
2012101
2013120
201450
201541
Total542

Honours

Club

Brisbane Roar

International

Australia

Individual

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Matt McKay". Worldfootball.net. Retrieved 24 February 2011.
  2. ↑ "The Signing of Matt McKay". Sunnybank Saints Soccer Club Inc. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
  3. ↑ http://qcsa.org.au/website/default.asp?type=article&id=18. Missing or empty |title= (help) | title = Matt McKay Endorsement | publisher = Queensland Christian Soccer Associaiton | accessdate = 5 March 2015
  4. ↑ Demack, Andrew. "Brisbane Strikers v Adelaide United". OzFootball.net. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  5. ↑ "Brisbane Defeats Central Coast in Shootout to Win Its First A-League Title". Bloomberg. 13 March 2011. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  6. ↑ Lynch, Michael (14 March 2011). "Brisbane stage a miracle ending to their season of perfection". smh.com.au. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  7. ↑ Rugari, Vince (14 March 2011). "McKay speech inspired Roar". sportal.com.au. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  8. ↑ "Fox Sports: Queensland's Matt McKay signs four-month loan deal with Changchun Yatai". foxsports.com.au. 17 March 2009. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  9. ↑ "Matt McKay signs for Rangers subject to work permit". Scottish Television. 19 August 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2011.
  10. ↑ "McKay Gets UK Visa". Rangers F.C. 25 August 2011. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  11. ↑ "Match Commentary, FT: Dundee Utd 0 Rangers 1". skysports.com. 13 September 2011.
  12. ↑ "McKay rejects loan deal". skysports.com.au. 12 January 2012.
  13. ↑ "Rangers' 10-point deduction confirmed by SPL". BBC Sport. 14 February 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  14. ↑ "Rangers agree fee for Matt McKay with South Korean club Busan I'Park". BBC Sport. 22 February 2012. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  15. ↑ "McKay signs for Changchun Yatai". The World Game. 22 January 2013. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  16. ↑ https://sslcam.news.com.au/cam/authorise?channel=pc&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.heraldsun.com.au%2fsport%2ffootball%2fsocceroos-utility-matt-mckay-reportedly-dumped-by-his-chinese-super-league-club-changchun-yatai%2fstory-fni2wcjl-1226686201927
  17. ↑ http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/brisbaneroar/news-display/roar-sign-australian-international-mckay/72493
  18. ↑ "Australia into 2007 Asian Cup with Kuwait win". FFA. Retrieved 24 February 2011.
  19. ↑ "Schedule & Results". the-afc.com. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  20. ↑ "Socceroos Held By UAE". FourFourTwo. 6 January 2011. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  21. ↑ "Kewell Fires Socceroos Into Semi-Finals Of Asian Cup". Goal.com. Retrieved 24 February 2011.
  22. ↑ "Socceroos enjoy Australia Day party". ESPN Soccernet. Retrieved 24 February 2011.
  23. ↑ "Socceroo Internationals for 2006". OzFootball.net. Retrieved 24 February 2011.
  24. ↑ "Socceroo Internationals for 2009". OzFootball.net. Retrieved 24 February 2011.
  25. ↑ "Socceroo Internationals for 2010". OzFootball.net. Retrieved 24 February 2011.
  26. ↑ "Socceroo Internationals for 2011". OzFootball.net. Retrieved 24 February 2011.

External links