The top 35 players have now been selected for the inaugural A-League All Stars match. Over 30,000 votes were cast by fans who were able to choose from all 10 A-League teams in picking a squad of 15.
The fans vote counts for 50 per cent of the final 18-man squad that will be involved in the match up against English Premier League champions, Manchester United.
The top players in each positional category selected are:
Goalkeeper – Mat Ryan (Central Coast Mariners)
Defender – Nikolai Topor-Stanley (Western Sydney Wanderers)
Midfielder – Shinji Ono (Western Sydney Wanderers)
Striker – Alessandro Del Piero (Sydney FC)
Fans were also able to select their preferred formation and the consensus was a 4-4-2.
The A-League All Stars Expert Panel, which includes Han Berger, Craig Moore, Tony Vidmar, Mark Bosnich, Stan Lazaridis (ex Socceroo, WA), Craig Foster, Andy Harper, Tom Smithies, and Michael Lynch, who account for 20 per cent of the overall vote and will now take charge of the squad’s evolution with key selections set to take place in the coming weeks.
A-League All Stars Coach Ange Postecoglou (Victory coach) will then use his 10 per cent before including his three coach selected players.
An announcement in regards to the A-League All Stars Coaching support team will be made on the 13 May. It will include an assistant coach, goalkeeper coach and medical and support team.
The top 35 players in order of fan voting
Goalkeepers
1. Mathew Ryan (Central Coast Mariners)
2. Ante Covic (Western Sydney Wanderers)
3. Eugene Galekovic (Adelaide United)
4. Michael Theo (Brisbane Roar)
5. Nathan Coe (Melbourne Victory)
Defenders
1. Nikolai Topor-Stanley (Western Sydney Wanderers)
2. Pedj Bojic (Central Coast Mariners)
3. Patrick Zwaanswijk (Central Coast Mariners)
4. Adama Traore (Melbourne Victory)
5. Michael Beauchamp (Western Sydney Wanderers)
6. Lucas Neill (Sydney FC)
7. Ivan Franjic (Brisbane Roar)
8. Trent Sainsbury (Central Coast Mariners)
9. Michael Thwaite (Perth Glory)
10. Joshua Rose (Central Coast Mariners)
Midfielders
1. Shinji Ono (Western Sydney Wanderers)
2. Thomas Broich (Brisbane Roar)
3. Youssouf Hersi (Western Sydney Wanderers)
4. Michael McGlinchey (Central Coast Mariners)
5. Aaron Mooy (Western Sydney Wanderers)
6. Mark Milligan (Melbourne Victory)
7. Dario Vidosic (Adelaide United)
8. Marcos Flores (Melbourne Victory)
9. Richard Garcia (Melbourne Heart)
10. Marcelo Carrusca (Adelaide United)
Strikers
1. Alessandro Del Piero (Sydney FC)
2. Marco Rojas (Melbourne Victory)
3. Emile Heskey (Newcastle Jets)
4. Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory)
5. Daniel McBreen (Central Coast Mariners)
6. Besart Berisha (Brisbane Roar)
7. Jeremy Brockie (Wellington Phoenix)
8. Shane Smeltz (Perth Glory)
9. Mark Bridge (Western Sydney Wanderers)
10. Bernie Ibini (Central Coast Mariners)
Formation
1. 4-4-2
2. 4-2-3-1
3. 4-3-3
4. 3-5-2
5. 4-3-2-1
With the top 35 now selected who would you choose as your final 18?
Cameron
Roar Guru
You just don't want that developing youth to be embarrassed. Vast difference in quality.
Andrew
Guest
As much as I like to watch the international players we have in the A-League, I'd love to see the All-Star to be all younger home grown talent. It's a great chance to have our young players get a taste of playing at a higher level.
Cameron
Roar Guru
What will be interesting to note then will be the amount of foreigners compared to Australians in the All stars side. I think it's very important to have some representation of Australians otherwise we could be seen as a league dominated by foreigners. Not that this would be the overall case but unless people look into the reasons you've provided, they may still think that.
Bondy
A nice constant flow of football there fuss for the off season. All of those activities will stretch the resolve/constitution of the sport in Australia, it will be interesting to see some of these results.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
The final selections for the All-Star Team will need to factor in: 1. AUS players, who will be picked for the EAFF East Asian Cup: AUS v KOR kicks off at 20:00 in Seoul on the same night as the All Stars v Man United 2. players, who have moved overseas The u20 World Cup is from 21 June-13 July and, whilst it's unlikely AUS & NZL will be there until the final date, the players involved in this tournament may need to be rested? Regardless, there will still be enough talented players to make create a good event.
Cameron
Roar Guru
I agree in relation to "...as long as we’re competitive and its a good show, big crowd, not much more we can ask for." I really hope Broich and Berisha are in the final 18. I can imagine they'll be on the bench though.
Ian
Guest
agree with the crux of your points. my comparison was a quick one.........though i figured you'd say it wasn't the same comparison!! i was too tired to keep writing. the general point with the comparison which you would have got is that teams can gel in short periods. no doubt the fitness is a different story being offseason for the a-league and in season for origin. though both english teams would have finished for around 6-7 weeks i think, yes i wasn't sure how much preparation time the all stars had. reality is as long as we're competitive and its a good show, big crowd, not much more we can ask for. and broich and ono possibly in the same midfield for the all stars will be nice.
Cameron
Roar Guru
You wouldn't expect most people to formulate an opinion on the quality or development of the A-League over these two exhibition games. That would be silly, for they really are just exhibition games. I just feel as though when these types of matches are organized both parties would consider what is the most important aspect of the match or overall experience. Now despite both being a huge cash grab it is still something good to talk about and make comparisons too. A $2-3 million dollar A-League team vs a $300+ million team. Really isnt the nicest of comparisons, but if we can put up a fight it does go a long way to showing the development of our league, regardless of how much money has been spent on a respective club. It looks at much more than that and all I ask for in both of these matches is respect for the opposition and a willingness to commit and give it a go! No point in both of these sides going out there and getting flogged, they most likely wouldn't come back, or if they wanted to, then we may not want them too. You point out I follow Rugby League (State of Origin), now comparing this to the two exhibition matches I don't feel is fair. The Origin players are match fit, they have been in a setup or camp for some time whilst developing with the team and understanding the structures and playing style. They are given three matches instead of one and on the odd occasions rest is provided by the club coaches if they deem it necessary. So I don't feel as though you are comparing apples with apples. In terms of best of the best it still wouldn't stack up to the team unity and cohesion of Manchester United. If I recall correctly I believe the All Stars side only has two weeks of preparation. That isn't a lot, especially if you haven't played with half the players before. The positive is this is an exhibition and despite Man U being way better I believe it will be a close affair as both teams will be looking to entertain rather than show who is the best or what we have to offer.
Cameron
Roar Guru
That could potentially rule out even more players. I am sure Vidosic, Mat Ryan, Sainsbury and some others could get a look in for the East Asian Cup. Well we all know what is more important (Socceroos), so I guess we'll just have to wait and see and I wonder if most of these players will even be in the A-League come that time.
Titus
Guest
I've also heard that Del Piero and SFC will be in Japan for pre-season friendlies.
Ian
Guest
yep, that's it.
Cameron
Roar Guru
He does lack pace, but this is where his positional awareness comes into play. Not to mention the key for the Wanderers throughout this season was allowing the opposition to maintain the majority of possession but in-turn would not allow them any field territory. Now on the counter attack this could have affected the Wanderers (especially NTS) as a whole, but due to high pressure and the Wanderers ability to counter attack you may notice through the transition of play that he would provide a fair few first touches to midfield to position them for an attack. And when versing the likes of ADP, you're bound to be shown up and make mistakes. If I recall correctly the same thing happened to Franjic when Sydney FC hosted Brisbane Roar. He was backtracking when the ball was fed to ADP, didn't click to what was happening and before he knew it ADP ran straight past him and scored. Mistakes happen. I won't be upset if he is in or out, but I think you need to look at the Wanderers and how they played out from the back, I grant you Beauchamp was another instrumental figure. Thus his selection in the top 35 (5th for defenders). You'll also notice that four out of the top five defensive players are all from the Grand Final and Premiership winning teams. Traore (Victory), the odd man out, is in my opinion a shoe in for his position in the team. I also heard he wants to become an Australian and represent Australia, nice gesture, I wonder if it will eventuate.
Ian
Guest
i recall the same for that derby
Ian
Guest
Without offence to MV fans, they didnt end the season in great form (which can change) and unless injuries are healed such as Traore and Finkler they'll be out. Isn't Ansell injured also? Some MV fans were rating his performance. Rojas will be gone and as per my other post if there is a socceroos game Archie and Milligan if selected may be missing for this match as well as for All Stars. I may be wrong on the Socceroos game. While I'll be watching and enjoying the game if I can and the atmosphere will be great, I don't think the A-League's development can be judged by Victory v Liverpool. IF MV get trounced I wouldn't say the A-League had not developed. The players for the All Stars should be professional enough to get their act together. As you follow rugby league also it happens with State of Origin and Test Matches where players have a short time together.. Ange will play a big part in getting the team to gel and I consider he'll be able to do that.. If they are the best of the best, they can form a good understanding with a decent amount of preparation. Hope Ange doesn't spread himself too thin with both of these games. Hoping for a good performance from both MV and the All Stars regardless. But I'd be more disappointed if the All Stars get trounced as that is a representation of the best, or voted/perceived best for each position.
Ballymore
Guest
East Asian Cup with Japan, Korea & China I believe.
Ballymore
Guest
Positional awareness & his best season yet I'll grant you. But I feel his lack of pace, poor distribution and propensity to kick the ball out of the ground means he shouldn't be considered for this team. I also feel Beauchamp & Covic did most of the organising/communicating for WSW's back four this term. If I recall correctly he was the one who handed ADP a goal on a platter in the final Sydney derby.
Ian
Guest
99% certain I read when this All Stars concept was announced that there is a Socceroos game on around this time and those players will actually be unavailable for this match..e.g. Victory players such as Archie and Milligan and Rojas is unlikely to play in this game also.
Ian
Guest
Especially Broich for 'those' comments (taken out of context) and Berisha ..if he makes it. Broich is looking in a good position to be there.
Ian
Guest
Ballymore ... "Thank God. The circle-jerk surrounding NTS is bizarre." thanks for the crack up. i refuse to type LOL in posts but its deserved.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Davo, I don't see how it would be a sad indictment on the A-league if he takes the field. It is quite obvious that the majority of voters out of the 30,000+ also voted for him and thus making him number one. Anyway even if you don't like him that's fine but do you honestly believe Lucas Neill should have been chosen? Based on what? I don't think he should have been but the key thing to remember here is this is an exhibition match. Are we supposed to take this seriously? Vote for our favourite players? Vote for the best? Vote for the Australian youth that best represent the A-leagues development? It's a one off match. I know nobody wants to see the A-league all stars side embarrassed but a one off match really isn't a clear cut indication of how our league is going. Especially when it's a team just put together that isn't used to one another. You'll notice how gelled Man U will be compared to the All Stars. We should still try and win though. Victory vs Liverpool. Now despite that too being an exhibition that is a better test and something we can really look at in terms of assessing the A-leagues development.