- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
His save in the Asian Champions League final was mentioned in the same breathe as Gordon Banks and Pelé, but Ante Covic has been snubbed from the 2014 Asian Player of the Year nominations.
In his place, is Australian public enemy number one, Al Hilal’s Nasser Al Shamrani, who infamously head-butted and spat at Matthew Spiranovic during and after the final in Riyadh.
The financial millions of Saudi Arabia, China and Japan couldn’t stop Western Sydney Wanderers from claiming an unlikely victory, but it seems rewarding one of the competition’s most outstanding individuals was beyond officials.
Covic was outstanding throughout the 2014 ACL, keeping eight clean sheets in 12 matches. His domestic form wasn’t too shabby either, helping Western Sydney to their second A-League grand final with the league’s second-best defence.
Nothing short of heroic for a club just three years old and for a man nearing 40 who had been left on the scrap heap after winning Players’ Player for Melbourne Victory in A-League 7.
It’s a further kick in the teeth for Covic, who’s name was also absent from Ange Postecoglou’s Socceroos squad for their friendly against Japan next week.
Arguments for including Covic ahead of Mat Ryan and Mitch Langerak may well be invalid, but he does at least deserve third choice for the Asian Cup next year.
But with further international recognition doubtful, Covic could have been forgiven for consoling himself with the fact that he was a frontrunner for the most prestigious individual award available to an A-League player.
Yet following in the footsteps of Saša Ognenovski, as well as true greats Shinji Ono, Yasuhito Endō and Zheng Zhi, has also now been taken away from the friendly giant.
But what will irk more, is that the villain from the Champions League final, Al Shamrani, who is facing disciplinary action for his late-game antics, could well be crowned king of Asia.
The other two candidates are Al-Ain defender Ismail Ahmed and Al Sadd forward Khalfan Ibrahim, who won the award as an 18-year-old in 2006.
Like Ahmed and Ibrahim, Al Shamrani no doubt deserves his place on the shortlist for on-field exploits. His 10-goal haul in the ACL this year was impressive, as is his record of 25 goals in just 32 games for Al Hilal in the Saudi Premier League.
But spitting on an opposing player, broadcast globally, is inexcusable, and for such a character to be awarded regardless, all down to his undeniable talents, just ain’t right.
Covic was awarded the tournament’s player of the year award and was named in the ACL Best XI. His domestic form was solid, signalled by a second consecutive grand final appearance for the Wanderers.
So it must be Covic’s lack of international action that has prevented his nomination. Surely?
Yet Al Shamrani himself hasn’t been overly impressive for Saudi Arabia, starting just four of three matches in 2014 with zero goals. In fact, his last goal arrived almost a year ago, against Iraq in an Asian Cup qualifier. Hardly outstanding.
Ahmed only recently made his debut for UAE at the age of 30 and has been in and out of the starting side. Again, hardly breathtaking.
Only Ibrahim has an impressive record internationally. He’s the captain of Qatar at just 26 and a vital cog in their attack, netting against the Socceroos in a 1-0 victory last month.
Using Covic’s lack of action with the Socceroos cannot be blamed for his omission, it just doesn’t stack up.
And while Ahmed and Ibrahim’s performances domestically and in the Champions League should not be underestimated, neither made the grand final and neither made the ACL Best XI.
Other factors are involved apart from ACL performances, but it is the premier competition in Asia. So where’s the logic?
On the plus side, young gun Katrina Gorry is on the shortlist for the Asian Women’s Player of the Year.
At just 22, it’s a huge honour, and the Brisbane local finds herself in esteemed company, up against Japan duo Aya Miyama and Nahomi Kawasumi, who have more than 200 international caps between them.
Gorry, who secured a move to FC Kansas City earlier this year, helped the Matildas to the final of the 2014 Asian Cup, ultimately falling to Japan 1-0. The playmaker scored three goals in the tournament.
Tony Popovic is also reportedly still in the running for coach of the year.
But Covic was expected to be a shoe-in for nominations, and even a strong favourite for the ultimate prize. It’s his omission that puts a cloud over the ceremony on November 30.
But ultimately, the inclusion of Al Shamrani reeks the most. Spitting is the lowest form of assault in a lot of people’s eyes. It’s the actions of a coward and a grub.
Allowing actions to go unpunished is criminal, and I’m not talking about a prospective six-match ban, which he’s expected to receive at a disciplinary hearing two days before the awards night.
Al Shamrani’s name should be nowhere near the contender’s list, let alone in the top three. If the unthinkable happens, and he takes out Asian Player of the Year, it will leave a sour taste in the mouth and the responsible AFC officials’ credibility will be out the window.
But in the end Covic will still be the one smiling. He’s got a tasty medal around his neck and YouTube highlights reels that will last an age. That’s something you can never take away from him. Al Shamrani’s name will forever be tarnished for his moment of madness.
Follow Janek on Twitter @JanekSpeight
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.