Melbourne Heart FC features heavily in the PFA’s A-League Team of the Season announced today, contributing a competition-high four players, including its captain, Fred.
Melbourne Heart FC features heavily in the PFA’s A-League Team of the Season announced today, contributing a competition-high four players, including its captain, Fred.
Defenders Aziz Behich and Michael Marrone were named in the team-s starting eleven, while goalkeeper Clint Bolton was selected among the reserves in a squad of 16, confirming their status among the Hyundai A-League-s elite.
The announcement highlights the exciting progress made during Heart-s breakthrough 2011/12 Hyundai A-League season, which has seen the Heart qualify for the Finals Series for the first time in Club history.
Fred, whose selection as a captain demonstrates the esteem in which he is held by his fellow professionals, described the honour as one of the biggest of his career.
“It is an incredible honour to not only be selected in the PFA-s A-League Team of the Season, but named as its captain as well,” he said.
“Today-s announcement is one of the best individual honours I-ve received during my career as a professional, and it-s fantastic to see my team mates Aziz Behich, Michael Marrone and Clint Bolton named in the team as well.”
PFA Chief Executive Officer Brendan Schwab said “The PFA A-League Team of the Season highlights the incredible attacking talents in the A-League, and the strength of the A-League as a competition.
“The PFA A-League Team of the Season has a strong balance of clubs and players who have lit up the league, and more than half of the team are from the two clubs who fought out the Premiership.
“It is also a demonstration of how in the right environment, the A-League can develop young Australian players. I wish to congratulate those who have been voted into the PFA A-League Team of the Season by their peers and wish the best to all of those now involved in finals.”
PFA A-League Team of the Season
Goalkeeper: Matt Ryan (Central Coast Mariners)
Defenders: Michael Marrone (Melbourne Heart FC), Patrick Zwaansijk (Central Coast Mariners), Josh Rose (Central Coast Mariners)
Midfielders: Thomas Broich (Brisbane Roar), Fred (Melbourne Heart FC), Mitch Nichols (Brisbane Roar), Aziz Behich (Melbourne Heart FC)
Forwards: Paul Ifill (Wellington Phoenix), Besart Berisha (Brisbane Roar), Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory).
Subs: Clint Bolton (Melbourne Heart FC), Andrew Durante (Wellington Phoenix), Nicky Carle (Sydney FC), Carlos Hernandez (Melbourne Victory), Harry Kewell (Melbourne Victory)
