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Igor DulyaySerbian footballer, defensive midfielder for Shakhtar Donetsk
Date of Birth: 29.10.1979
Country:  Ukraine |
Content:
- Igor Duljaj: A Journey from Partizan Belgrade to Shakhtar Donetsk
- From Partizan Belgrade to Shakhtar Donetsk
- A Decade of Success and Challenges
- International Career and World Cup Memories
- Personal Life and Hobbies
- Outlook on the Future
Igor Duljaj: A Journey from Partizan Belgrade to Shakhtar Donetsk
Serbian footballer Igor Duljaj, a defensive midfielder currently playing for Shakhtar Donetsk, shared his experiences and insights in an interview, shedding light on his career, his personal life, and his outlook on the game.
From Partizan Belgrade to Shakhtar Donetsk
Duljaj began his professional career with Partizan Belgrade, a club renowned for its rich history and competitive spirit. During his time there, he played alongside notable Serbian players such as Sasa Ilic, Zoran Mirkovic, and Niša Saveljic. He also had the opportunity to experience the intense rivalry between Partizan Belgrade and Red Star Belgrade, comparing it to the high-stakes matches between Shakhtar Donetsk and Dynamo Kyiv.
In 2003, Duljaj made the move to Shakhtar Donetsk, following a recommendation from his friend and former teammate Zvonimir Vukic. He made his debut in a Ukrainian Cup match against Chornomorets Odessa, securing a 1-0 victory for his new club. His first league appearance was against Metalurh Donetsk, where Shakhtar emerged victorious with a 2-0 scoreline.
A Decade of Success and Challenges
Over the past decade with Shakhtar Donetsk, Duljaj has accumulated numerous titles, including the Ukrainian Premier League championship, the Ukrainian Cup, and the Ukrainian Super Cup. While he values each of these achievements, he considers his first championship with the club to be the most significant.
Despite his success, Duljaj has faced challenges in recent seasons, seeing his playing time diminish under manager Mircea Lucescu. However, he maintains a professional attitude, accepting the coach's decisions and contributing to the team's success in whatever capacity he can.
International Career and World Cup Memories
Duljaj represented Serbia at the international level, making his debut in 2006. He was a part of the squad that participated in the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, a bittersweet experience for the team.
Duljaj recalls the disastrous 0-6 defeat to Argentina as a haunting memory. However, he also reflects on the team's impressive performance against the Netherlands, losing narrowly by 0-1, and their unfortunate loss to Côte d'Ivoire, where goalkeeper Dragoslav Jevrić committed two handball errors in the penalty area.
Personal Life and Hobbies
Outside of football, Duljaj enjoys watching films, particularly Serbian comedies and thrillers. He is also an avid admirer of Hollywood movies, citing Denzel Washington and Anthony Hopkins as his favorite actors.
He enjoys basketball and volleyball, but his main hobby is watching films. Duljaj remains humble and appreciative of the opportunities he has been given in his career, acknowledging that life as a footballer in Ukraine is far more lucrative than it was during his time at Partizan Belgrade.
Outlook on the Future
Duljaj expresses his desire to regain a starting spot at Shakhtar Donetsk and hopes that strong performances with his club will lead to a recall to the national team. As for the upcoming 2022 World Cup qualification campaign, he believes that both Serbia and Ukraine face tough challenges in their respective groups, but acknowledges that anything is possible.
