Everyone knows football is a game of opinions
Everyone knows football is a game of opinions, but when it comes to the top players in the Hyundai A-League in 2008/09, there is a surprising level of consensus.
In an online poll conducted by Football Federation Australia (FFA), fans were invited to nominate their Hyundai A-League 2008/09 All Stars team with more than 2,000 fans taking part.
Separately, the Australian Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) conducted their own peer reviewed poll.
Seven players including Johnny Warren Medal Winner Wellington Phoenix-s Shane Smeltz, Queensland Roar-s Craig Moore, Mile Jedinak (formerly Central Coast Mariners), and Adelaide United-s Eugene Galekovic, Sasa Ognenovski, Travis Dodd and Rising Star winner, Scott Jamieson, made it into the starting XI of both selections, with Adelaide United coach, Aurelio Vidmar, also snagging the coaching role with both teams.
Former Perth Glory player Nikita Rukavytsya featured in the squads of both teams, but only made the starting XI of the fans’ selection. Other members of the All Stars team who didn’t make the players’ selection were Cassio (Adelaide United), Michael Zullo (Queensland Roar) and Carlos Hernandez (Melbourne Victory).
Those nominated by the players – but not the fans – included Tarek Elrich (Newcastle Jets), Hyundai A-League Foreign Player of the Year Charlie Miller (Queensland Roar), Eugene Dadi (Perth Glory) and Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory). Players also included four other players on the bench, in addition to Rukavytsya: Michael Theoklitos, Kevinn Muscat and Billy Celeski (all Melbourne Victory) and Paul Reid (Adelaide United).
FFA is currently considering options for the Hyundai A-League All Stars to take the field.
Next season’s Hyundai A-League is scheduled to kick-off in August with the addition of two new teams – North Queensland Fury and Gold Coast United.
Hyundai A-League All Star team
Position – Name – Club
Goalkeeper – Eugene Galekovic – Adelaide United
Defender – Cassio – Adelaide United
Defender – Scott Jamieson – Adelaide United
Defender – Craig Moore – Queensland Roar
Defender – Sasa Ognenovski – Adelaide United
Midfield – Travis Dodd – Adelaide United
Midfield – Mile Jedinak – Central Coast Mariners
Midfield – Michael Zullo – Queensland Roar
Midfield – Carlos Hernandez – Melbourne Victory
Forward – Shane Smeltz – Wellington Phoenix
Striker – Nikita Rukavytsya – Perth Glory
Coach – Aurelio Vidmar – Adelaide United
PFA Hyundai A-League Team of the Season
Position – Name – Club
Goalkeeper – Eugene Galekovic – Adelaide United
Defender – Tarek Elrich – Newcastle Jets
Defender – Craig Moore – Queensland Roar
Defender – Sasa Ognenovski – Adelaide United
Defender – Scott Jamieson – Adelaide United
Midfield – Travis Dodd – Adelaide United
Midfield – Mile Jedinak – Central Coast Mariners
Midfield – Charlie Miller – Queensland Roar
Forward – Shane Smeltz – Wellington Phoenix
Forward – Eugene Dadi – Perth Glory
Forward – Archie Thompson – Melbourne Victory
Coach – Aurelio Vidmar – Adelaide United
Substitutes: Michael Theoklitos (Melbourne Victory), Kevin Muscat (Melbourne Victory), Paul Reid (Adelaide United), Billy Celeski (Melbourne Victory), Nikita Rukavytsya (Perth Glory).
