Barry Opdam

Dutch footballer

Barry Opdam (born 27 February 1976) is a Dutch retired footballer who played as a central defender. He spent most of his 16 year professional career with AZ, amassing Eredivisie totals of 316 games and 13 goals over the course of 11 seasons, all with that club.

Born in Leiden, South Holland, Opdam began his professional career with AZ Alkmaar, being relegated to the second division in his first year and immediately promoting back in the following. Subsequently, he became an undisputed starter for the North Holland side, amassing more than 400 official appearances. Not known as a goal scorer, Opdam scored an essential one in the second leg of the 2006–07 UEFA Cup round of 32 clash against Fenerbahçe SK. After a 3–3 draw in Istanbul, the Turkish led 2–0 at half time, and the defender headed home from a Julian Jenner free kick with seven minutes to go, making it 2–2 and sending his team to the next round on away goals rule (eventually reaching the last eight stage); in the 2004–05 edition AZ reached the semifinals of the competition, the second time in 24 years. In 2008, one year after finishing second in the Dutch Cup, 32 year old Opdam had his first abroad experience, signing for Austrian club FC Red Bull Salzburg. After two seasons, being an important defensive unit in the conquest of back to back national championships, he returned to his country, joining FC Volendam in the second level.

On 4 June 2005, Opdam made his debut for the Netherlands in a 2–0 win against Romania for the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. On 8 October, in the same competition, he scored his first and only international goal, in a 2–0 win against the Czech Republic. Opdam would be, however, overlooked by national team coach Marco van Basten for the final stages in Germany, gaining a total of eight caps. + Barry Opdam: International goals # Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 8 October 2005 Toyota Arena, Prague, Czech Republic 0–2 0–2 2006 World Cup qualification