A Swedish FIFA World Cup star, a Spanish wizard and a rising Aussie youngster were all among the best performers from Round 27 of the Hyundai A-League 2018/19 Season.
But who was the best player from your club over the final weekend of the regular season?
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Thanks to Opta data, let’s take a look back at a thrilling weekend of action and identify the best performers.
Adelaide United – Nikola Mileusnic
The Reds locked-up a home final with a thrilling 5-3 win over Brisbane Roar on ANZAC Day, with Mileusnic opening the scoring and leading the way in a brilliant all-round display.
The speedy winger also created a scoring chance, won eight out of nine duels he contested and made a joint round-high five tackle attempts.
Brisbane Roar – Dylan Wenzel-Halls
While it’s been a dismal year for the Roar, the emergence of Wenzel-Halls has been a huge bonus, and the young striker ended the season in style.
The former NPL Queensland prodigy got himself on the score sheet in Brisbane’s 5-3 loss to the Reds, while he also attempted a team-high four shots at goal and created one scoring chance.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6029719078001
Central Coast Mariners – Aiden O’Neill
Central Coast’s horror season ended with a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Melbourne City but it wasn’t due to the performance of the middle man O’Neill.
The on-loan prospect from Burnley in the English Premier League was right in the thick of things at AAMI Park, winning nine of the team-high 16 duels he contested.
He also created two scoring chances for the Gosford club.
Melbourne City – Shayon Harrison
Could the English youngster – on-loan at City from Tottenham Hotspur – be Warren Joyce’s lucky charm in the Finals Series?
The 21-year-old attacker scored two goals, including one superb individual effort, and provided one assist in City’s 5-0 thrashing of the Mariners.
City have won each of the three matches in which Harrison has scored since he joined the club in January.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6030208931001
Melbourne Victory – Ola Toivonen
The Swedish striker was the match-winner for Victory, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday night.
While it wasn’t a vintage performance from the visitors, Toivonen was still dangerous – as evidenced by his textbook thumping header that won Kevin Muscat’s side all three points.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6030578135001
Newcastle Jets – Glen Moss
Newcastle came away with a morale-boosting 2-0 win over Sydney FC to end their campaign – and veteran gloveman Moss was pivotal to the victory.
He had to make 10 saves on the night to keep a clean sheet: the most to keep an opposition scoreless in the last seven seasons.
Perth Glory – Diego Castro
Wellington received a trouncing on their long trip to Perth, and the 5-0 defeat was superbly conducted by Castro.
The Spaniard was simply untouchable. He made a round-high nine shots, created seven scoring chances, scored a goal and provided an assist.
Sydney FC – Daniel De Silva
Sydney FC endured one of their more forgettable nights in Saturday’s 2-0 loss to the Jets, with Glen Moss and the Newcastle defence offering stoic resistance.
That muted the effect of attacking midfielder Daniel De Silva, who nonetheless turned in a strong performance in the Hunter Valley.
The 22-year-old created three scoring chances, made three interceptions and finished with a 91% passing accuracy.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6030572587001
Wellington Phoenix – Liberato Cacace
It was not a night for Cacace to treasure in what has been a breakout year but the Phoenix flyer still put in a strong display against Perth on Sunday.
The young Kiwi made three dribbles, contested 10 duels and finished with a tally of 50 pass attempts for an accuracy of 86%.
Western Sydney Wanderers – Keanu Baccus
Saturday’s loss to Victory brought the curtain down on Western Sydney Wanderers’ nomadic existence.
It was somewhat fitting that young midfielder Keanu Baccus led the charge for the Red and Black, showing how important he will be in writing a bright new chapter for the team at the new Bankwest Stadium.
Baccus won a team-high seven duels, made four dribbles and three interceptions.
