Wellington Phoenix has trumped its Australian A-League rivals to win
FourFourTwo magazine�s Team of the Season award, while exciting
Brazilian midfielder Daniel was named Import of the Season
FourFourTwo
editor in chief Paul Hansford said Phoenix has captured the imagination
of Wellington�s sports mad public, with crowds well above expectations.
Indeed, it took just three home games for Phoenix to surpass the New
Zealand Knights� aggregate crowd for the whole of last season.
The FourFourTwo Awards � announced in the April issue of FourFourTwo � also recognised Daniel, one of Phoenix�s four Brazilian signings, as the A-League�s Import of the Season, after he scored four goals in 17 games, including the club�s first ever A-League goal. A skilled midfielder, Daniel was the most fouled player in the A-League as defenders struggled to counter his attacking flair.
Despite finishing eighth in its inaugural season in the A-League, the Phoenix�s attractive play had them in the hunt for the Finals right up to the final rounds. Led by All White stars Tim Brown, Vaughan Coveny, Glen Moss and Shane Smeltz, who scored nine goals and finished third in voting for the prestigious Johnny Warren Medal, the Phoenix played an exciting brand of football that won over the crowds.
Hansford said: �To get such a competitive squad together in such a short space of time is an achievement and a credit to owner Terry Serepisos and head coach Ricki Herbert. But more crucially the Phoenix has created a real connection with the Wellington community, and, in the Yellow Fever, has perhaps the most passionate supporter base in the A-League.�
The ambition of the club was shown when it hosted David Beckham and the LA Galaxy, in a match that attracted a crowd of 31,853 - a record for any football match in New Zealand. Phoenix also set the record for a competitive club football match in New Zealand, with 18,345 turning up for an A-League match against Adelaide United.
Well good to hear us all getting the recognition we have earned and deserve! Daniel fully deserves this award, but there hasn't exactly been too much competition for it either..
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It is interesting how this award came from an Australian media outlet. The Phoenix were always highly regarded and well respected in OZ. Despite finishing at the bottom of the League.
In NZ most of the media put the boot in. They were much more negative than the Aussies. Obviously there are sections of the OZ media who are more intelligent than their NZ collegues!
Still its nice to get the Award...recognition in our first year. Well done Daniel too..well deserved.
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perhaps vietch etc would benefit from a bit of time with 4-4-2
or a bit of 4 by 2 
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That's brilliant - ill try find the link and post as news...
beaten to the punch once again
Marius Lacatus2008-02-28 20:59:03
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Good stuff, finally the 'nix won something that wasn't made from wood. 
Carlos Hernandez may have provided some competition for the import award had he come good earlier in the season.
Carlos Hernandez may have provided some competition for the import award had he come good earlier in the season.
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That's brilliant - ill try find the link and post as news...
beaten to the punch once again
It was already up
Dont think you wont read it on YF News first (unless I am sleeping in with a massive hangover)
Founder
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Good stuff, finally the 'nix won something that wasn't made from wood.
Carlos Hernandez may have provided some competition for the import award had he come good earlier in the season.
Carlos Hernandez may have provided some competition for the import award had he come good earlier in the season.
Won it infront of Juninho as well - that's not bad going.
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Friday's sport coverage being case in point. The comment was along the lines of what kind of awards will the Phoenix get if they finish second-to-last.
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Tigers, an awesome comment, Vietch along with Paul Henry and Murra De-Arka . (I think that's how you pronounce it?)
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!
The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!
The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!
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Of course wee had to win the best club - comeon with the Noise we made about football. Good on Daniel - fully deserved.
Queenslander 3x a year.
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