Just who is the greatest? Well it comes down to two long-serving keepers, one has an enviable big match record, the other does not.
Just who is the greatest? Well it comes down to two long-serving keepers, one has an enviable big match record, the other does not.
2. Eugene Galekovic
There is absolutely no doubting the class of the Adelaide United keeper and if you ever needed any proof, his save against Nagoya Grampus to deny Qantas Socceroos striker Josh Kennedy that reminded many of the save Gordon Banks made when the latter denied Pele in the 1970 World Cup is just that.
For all his skill whether it be in the air, Galekovic is a solid collector of any cross that comes into the box or his ability as a shot-stopper which is of the highest level, Galekovic has never led his team to the ultimate success.
It-s unjust to blame the keeper for the inability of his side to get things done, but Galekovic has been a part of some pretty good Adelaide United sides and never helped them to Premiership or Championship glory, and when he did win a Championship he was riding the pine pony, behind Michael Theoklitos at the Victory.
A two-time A-League Goalkeeper of the Year, he may be regarded as the best in the country by his manager, John Kosmina… but the best in the history of the A-League? Well… he just falls short.
1. Michael Theoklitos
Scintillating shot-stopper, tick, good one-on-one, tick, penalty saving merchant, tick, king of collecting crosses, pretty close to a tick, gets the job done under pressure, big tick.
Yep, when it comes to the cream of the crop in the A-League Michael Theoklitos rises right to the top.
His ability to fling himself at a ball that is hurtling towards goal is well known and he is responsible for some of the greatest saves in the history of the league, when flying through the air, with an almost trademarked one-fisted punch.
He-s acrobatic, that-s for sure, but he also possesses an uncanny ability to read the play and read a striker.
For evidence of that, watch the highlights of the 2010/11 A-League Grand Final and his dominance throughout the penalty shootout.
In fact watch any of his four Grand Finals (he has been on the winning team on all four occasions) and starred in most of them, he has also claimed three premierships and three Goalkeeper of the Year awards.
It-s an amazing effort considering he had an utterly disastrous trip to England between playing for Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar, when he was punted by Norwich after just one game, in which, he conceded seven goals in his debut for the Canaries.
To come back from that and still be successful not only shows his resolve but shows that he has complete belief in himself and his abilities and based on his A-League career to date he should, because he has been at the top throughout the entire time he has played in the league.
The list in full:
1. Michael Theoklitos
2. Eugene Galekovic
3. Mitch Langerak
4. Mat Ryan
5. Clint Bolton
6. Ante Covic
7. Mark Paston
8. Mark Bosnich
9. Danny Vukovic
10. Glen Moss
Agree? Disagree? Have your say on the A-League greatest goalkeeper’s below…
The views in this article are those of the author and not Football Federation Australia
