Tiana Jaber (Arabic: تيانا جابر; born 9 May 2000) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for A-League Women club Wellington Phoenix. Born in Australia, Jaber plays for the Lebanon national team.

Early life

Jaber spent her childhood growing up in Western Sydney while attending Glenwood High School;[1] she is of Lebanese and Italian descent.[2]

Club career

Western Sydney Wanderers

Jaber played for North West Sydney Koalas in the National Premier Leagues NSW Women's before being signed on a scholarship contract by the Western Sydney Wanderers in 2019. On 14 February 2020 Jaber was upgraded to a professional contract as she began training more frequently with the first team.[3] She made her debut for the club on 20 February as a second-half substitute in a 4–0 loss to Melbourne City.

The February debut would prove to be Jaber's sole appearance for the Wanderers as she left the club at the conclusion of the 2019–20 season to play for Sydney University in the NSW Women's NPL.[4] The 2020 season was successful for Jaber and Sydney University as the side won the Premiership and narrowly lost the Grand Final 2–1 to Manly United.

Newcastle Jets

After her exciting season with Sydney University Jaber returned to the W-League and signed with the Newcastle Jets ahead of the 2020–21 season. Jaber played four matches in her first season with the Jets as she contended with Tessa Tamplin for the starting full-back position.[5]

Jaber spent the winter of 2021 at National Premier Leagues ACT Women's side Western Canberra Wanderers where she become known for her competitive nature collecting multiple yellow cards throughout the season.[6]

Jaber returned to Newcastle for the 2021–22 season where a revitalised Jets side sought to return to the A-League Women finals series. The departure of Tamplin overseas also presented Jaber with an opportunity to feature in the starting eleven. The young full-back started the opening match of the season against Sydney FC, however she was sent off in the 77th minute as the Jets lost 3–1. Jaber returned from suspension on Matchday 3 against her former club Western Sydney, she opened the scoring with a long range effort in the 1–1 draw with the Wanderers. Jaber's first professional goal impressed many viewers across the league.[7]

Western United

In February 2023, Jaber joined expansion club Western United as an injury replacement player until the end of the 2022–23 A-League Women season, following an anterior cruciate ligament injury to Aimee Medwin.[8]

Wellington Phoenix

In December 2023, Jaber was signed by Wellington Phoenix until the end of the 2023–24 A-League Women season as an injury replacement, following a knee injury to Marisa van der Meer.[9] In July 2024, she signed for Phoenix for a full season.[2]

International career

Jaber was born in Australia, which granted her eligibility to represent the Australia national team through birthright. Additionally, she qualified to represent Lebanon through her father and Italy through her mother. In July 2024, she accepted a call-up to attend a training camp with the Lebanese national team.[2] Jaber made her international debut on 20 February 2025, starting in a friendly match against Nepal, which ended in a 1–0 defeat.[10]

Style of play

Jaber is a versatile defender who can play as a centre-back (in a back four and back three) and as a full-back.[2]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 30 March 2024[11][12]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals
North West Sydney Koalas 2019 NPL NSW 20 0 20 0
Western Sydney Wanderers 2019–20 A-League 1 0 1 0
Sydney University 2020 NPL NSW 11 0 11 0
Newcastle Jets 2020–21 A-League 4 0 4 0
2021–22 A-League 12 1 12 1
Total 16 1 16 1
Bankstown City 2022 NPL NSW 21 0 21 0
Western United 2022–23 A-League 3 0 3 0
Bankstown City 2023 NPL NSW 16 1 16 1
Wellington Phoenix 2023–24 A-League 11 0 11 0
Career total 99 2 99 2

International

As of match played 23 February 2025[13]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Lebanon 2025 2 0
Total 2 0

References

  1. ^ "Harmony the key word at Glenwood High School". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d "Jaber recommits to the Nix". Wellington Phoenix. 5 July 2024. Tiana Jaber is likely to be a fully-fledged international footballer by the time the new A-League season starts, having been called up to a training camp with Lebanon this month.
  3. ^ "Wanderers Announce Changes To Westfield W-League Squad". Western Sydney Wanderers FC. 14 February 2020. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  4. ^ "Jaber Ready To Shine On Finals Day". Sydney University Soccer Football Club. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  5. ^ "W-League: Young fullback Tiana Jaber taking opportunity with Newcastle Jets". Newcastle Jets FC. 10 March 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  6. ^ "W-League player Tiana Jaber misses Federation Cup final after no appeal granted for red card". Canberra Times. 6 June 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  7. ^ "Jets defender Tiana Jaber savours stunning turnaround world-class strike". Newcastle Herald. 21 December 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  8. ^ Hughes, Nick (28 February 2023). "Western United picks up talented defender Tiana Jaber". Western United.
  9. ^ "Phoenix bolster women's squad". Wellington Phoenix. 27 December 2023.
  10. ^ https://www.falebanon.com/event/30330/
  11. ^ Tiana Jaber at Soccerway. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  12. ^ Tiana Jaber at GameDay
  13. ^ "Tiana Jaber". FA Lebanon. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiana_Jaber
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