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
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
On his recent form with Mainz 05, quite possibly. He's certainly showing form with Mainz that he never quite managed with Stuttgart. I think I read that he's the most prolific Japanese scorer the Bundesliga has ever seen. An interesting aside is the Bundesliga home page. The language options are German, English, Polish and Japanese :) Just checked the stats, Okazaki is currently equal top scorer in the Bundesliga!
Janek Speight
Expert
Okazaki would surely be in with a chance?
AZ_RBB
Guest
I wonder how Uchida is going at Schalke this season. The team is having a woeful season so far and I assume he is a starting full back. Can't imagine he is doing all that brilliantly.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
I think you are on the money with Honda as he seems to be in all the highlights reels and looks very comfortable in the red & black. Another who has looked handy in the games I've seen him in is Sakai over at Stuttgart, however he isn't really in Honda's league. Ansarifard (IRN) over at Osasuna is unlikely to be a candidate for this year as he only moved over the break however he could well shape up to be a real candidate for the future if he can maintain his form. One player who've I have always rated however didn't look that flash in the only game I saw was Akhmedov (UZB) over at Krasnodar (we get some Russian top flight on the box over here, go figure).
AZ_RBB
Guest
Who would you give that to? The two best I've seen are Heung Min-Son at Leverkusen and Honda who has been immense at Milan lately.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Cheers mate. Regarding Al Shamrani, to the best of my knowledge he hasn't been cited, and as such any incident won't come into the reckoning for the trophy. Ibrahim is one of the great tragedies of Gulf football; a superb talent that wasn't allowed to leave the Gulf for Europe where he had the capacity to evolve from a regional to a global superstar. Covic had a fine ACL, however is he even considered the best Australian footballer over the last 12 months? Certainly I haven't heard his name shouted from the rafters prior to his ACL heroics. I can't hep but feel that the splitting of the ACL into East & West is giving a leg-up to players from West Asia as a number of these players are from clubs that may well have succumbed to a Seoul FC or Guanzhou Evergrande much earlier in the competition. Certainly it has helped them accumulate points they may have otherwise struggled to attain. Of more interest to me is the AFC Asian International Footballer of the year, which has only been awarded since 2012 (2012, Kagawa, 2013 Nagatomo).
Paul
Guest
Taking nothing away from how great Zizou was, his headbutt on Materazzi was a deliberate assault, not an incidental contact while contesting a loose ball.
Ginger71
Guest
totally agree. Unless you have seen all games played we cant judge whether or not Ante Covic should be in the top three. He played brilliantly in the ACL and deservedly got the player of the tournament, but that doesn't make him the best in Asia, more than just the champions league is counted. In the last 10 years only 2 players of the series have been nominated and won Asian footballer of the year. Whilst what Al-Shamrani did spitting (the headbutt wasn't a real headbutt, spiranovic milked it for all it was worth), was a disgrace, until the rules disallow players for suspensions and other on field discretion's, like other competitions, he is still in with a chance.
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Anyone else see a report that Blatter has blurted out that Qatar WON'T be hosting WC 2022?
zizou
Roar Rookie
"Spitting is the lowest form of assault in a lot of people’s eyes. It’s the actions of a coward and a grub." As opposed to breaking an opponents leg with a terrible tackle. Not condoning his actions but I can think of a lot worse things on the football field than spitting at someone.
Arnold Krewanty
Guest
Head butts happen quite a bit in football. Spitting gollies after losing a final don't
Roarfan
Guest
I don't think you could embarrass those people over there not when they nominate someone who spits and headbuts an opposition player. We often think our officials are inconsistent but I am sure that would not happen here. I also think Covec should have been on the short list but I did not see enough of the other nominees to form an opinion as to the eventual winner. I can understand Covec not being picked in the Socceroos squad because of his age and the rebuilding program, but having said that I think he would be pretty good between the sticks against Japan
Paul
Guest
Is it any worse than Zinedine Zidane getting the Golden Ball of the 2006 World Cup after being sent off in the final for his infamous headbutt on Marco Materazzi? It caused a lot of consternation with the Italians and one Andrew Orsatti I do recall.
Arnold Krewanty
Guest
Al Shamrani is a disgrace, with his nomination an embarrassment. If he receives the medal, what a laughing stock the AFC will be seen as.
Da Lawyah
Guest
It reeks of spite. They don't want to recognise a new team from Australia, with a tiny budget. While they couldn't discount us on the pitch, they are doing all they can with their money and influence to do so off the pitch. I'm not saying that Covic necessarily deserves to win it but it is a farce that the mvp of the tournament isn't even nominated.
Da Lawyah
Guest
He did win mvp for the acl tournament though.
Neil
Guest
Ante Covic had a brilliant season, especially in the A.C.L. . My regard for him as a footballer is extremely high, I believe he would account for himself well if he was appointed to the Socceroos. However I agree with the regeneration phase AP has in progress, Ante Covic is unfortunately at the twilight end of his career. The regeneration phase is a difficult process, we should not abandon it to sacrifice the future for the expediency of the present.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Ping Ben from Phnom Penh. Need your expertise here.
Adrian none
Roar Rookie
look, it bias ...how can anybody judge with out watching a lot of football across asia ...how many games did you watch of west asian league matchers Covic didn't win A-league goal keeper of the year for 2013-14 and has only played 3 games of this season...it only his ACL games that we can say he should get it....but how many of the west games did you watch? with the west and east now spit on till ACL final, it's even harder to judge how good the west teams are compare East Lucas Neill was 4th in player of the year for 2012 when he was UAE team Al Jazira and Al Wasl, WTF?