Anthony Pantazopoulos

Anthony Pantazopolous
Personal information
Full name Anthony Pantazopolous
Date of birth (2003-04-22) 22 April 2003 (age 23)
Place of birth Melbourne, Australia
Position Central defender
Team information
Current team
Western Sydney Wanderers
Number 22
Youth career
Brunswick City
Oakleigh Cannons
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2020 Brunswick City 1 (0)
2021–2023 Oakleigh Cannons 52 (4)
2023– Western Sydney Wanderers 40 (3)
International career‡
2025– Australia U23 4 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 31 January 2025
‡ National team caps and goals as of 10 September 2025

Anthony Pantazopoulos (Greek: Άντονι Πανταζόπουλος, pronounced [pan.taˈzo.pu.los]; born 22 April 2003) is an Australian soccer player who plays as a central defender for A-League club Western Sydney Wanderers.

Career

Oakleigh Cannons

Pantazopolous spent 11 years as a youth player at Brunswick City being inspired by his father, who was a player for Port Melbourne SC. Pantazopolous started his senior career at Oakleigh Cannons, with his debut coming in 2021. He primarily played as a left back due to his athleticism.

Western Sydney Wanderers

Pantazopolous joined Western Sydney Wanderers on 5 July 2023 from Oakleigh Cannons, where he had won the Victorian National Premier League and Community Shield. Pantazopolous was handed his debut by Marko Rudan on the 3rd November, 2023 against Western United in a 5–0 win, alongside fellow recent recruits Dylan Scicluna and Oscar Priestman, replacing captain Marcelo. He made 26 appearances in the 2024–25 A-League season, scoring two goals. He impressed in his debut season, particularly with his ball-striking and physical attributes and has been praised by commentators such as Andy Harper and his team-mates, specifically Juan Mata, being compared to former Socceroo, Sasa Ognenovski.

He extended his contract for a further two years on 7 March 2025, with the club stating that the new contract was, "Marking a breakout campaign where he showcased his composure, versatility, and defensive strength."

International career

In March 2025, Pantazopolous was called up to the Australia men's national under-23 soccer team by Tony Vidmar for the Doha International U23 Cup, where the team ended the tournament unbeaten. He was further called up in May 2025 for international friendly matches against South Korea.

References

  1. ↑ Anthony Pantazopoulos at Soccerway. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
  2. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPyDwrxiaCT/?igsh=dXQ0a2R3cjRkem1t
  3. ↑ "Victorians in the A-League | Football Victoria". footballvictoria.com.au. 11 February 2025. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  4. ↑ Alepidis, Marianna (5 May 2021). "Q&A with Cannons' fresh face Anthony Pantazopoulos". NEOS KOSMOS. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  5. ↑ Deliyannis, James (23 June 2023). "Meet NPL's Rising Star Anthony Pantazopoulos". NEOS KOSMOS. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  6. ↑ "Anthony Pantazopoulos". Western Sydney Wanderers.
  7. ↑ "Western Sydney 5-0 Western Utd (Oct 28, 2023) Final Score". ESPN. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  8. ↑ jcsaszar (2 November 2023). "Promising talents make A-Leagues debut". Western Sydney Wanderers. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  9. ↑ sachapisani (10 April 2025). "Outrageous origin story of the Wanderers 'weapon' that stunned Juan Mata". A-Leagues. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  10. ↑ jcsaszar (7 March 2025). "Pantazopoulos extends with Wanderers". Western Sydney Wanderers. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  11. ↑ matthewcomito (7 March 2025). "Young Wanderers defender signs multi-year contract extension amid breakout season". A-Leagues. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  12. ↑ "Anthony Pantazopoulos named on Subway Australian U-23 squad for Doha International". 12 March 2025.
  13. ↑ "Subway Australian U-23 squad named for Doha International Cup | Football Australia". www.footballaustralia.com.au. 11 March 2025. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  14. ↑ sachapisani (11 March 2025). "Isuzu UTE A-League young guns dominate Australia's U23 squad for Doha International Cup". A-Leagues. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  15. ↑ sachapisani (25 March 2025). "A-Leagues duo help Olyroos end U23 international tournament unbeaten". A-Leagues. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  16. ↑ sachapisani (23 May 2025). "19 A-Leagues stars selected by Australia U23s for Korean friendlies, incl. breakout Roar talent". A-Leagues. Retrieved 3 August 2025.