Goal.com's A-League Best XI of the Season at the halfway point

At the midway stage of Australia's A-League, Goal.com selects the best XI from the first 15 rounds of matches with leaders Central Coast Mariners dominating the side

Jan 9, 2012 12:00:00 PM

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By Adrian Agius

The 2011-12 installment of the A-League marked the seventh season of Australia's premier football competition. Anticipation surrounding the additions of Harry Kewell, Brett Emerton and Dario Vidosic to the league saw season ticket sales rise and a bumper 40,000 people crowd greet Melbourne and Sydney in their round one clash.
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Brisbane Roar wrote itself into the sporting history books recording a 36-match unbeaten streak, making them the most successful sporting side in the history of Australian sport; before following it with losses in five consecutive games. Both the Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne Heart have continued on their merry way and sit in first and third respectively, whilst Gold Coast United anchor the table.

With 15 games gone just four points separate fourth and ninth place making the 2011-12 season of the A-League one of the closest in its history. It will certainly be interesting to see how things pan out, but until then here is Goal.com's A-League team of the half season.

Formation: 4-3-3


 Goalkeeper - Ante Covic
Melbourne Victory

Despite their terrible form this season, Victory keeper Covic has been a shining light, ensuring on a number of occasions that things don’t go from bad to worse for the struggling side. Covic was brought in for the injured Tando Velaphi and since then has cemented his spot as Melbourne’s first choice keeper. He has made 63 saves from just 15 matches including stunning performances against Sydney FC and Brisbane Roar.


Right-back - Pedj Bojic
Central Coast Mariners

The ability of the Central Coast Mariners to turn defence into attack so quickly is surely testament to the fantastic form of Bojic. The right back has found the back of the net twice this season and has turned provider on three other occasions. Bojic’s terrorising runs have proved an attacking weapon for the Mariners who are able to catch most defences off guard by quickly shifting the direction of play.


Centre-back - Patrick Zwaanswijk
Central Coast Mariners

Central Coast Mariners central defender Zwaanswijk arrived in the A-League last season and since then the Dutch enforcer has certainly imposed himself ensuring this season that the Mariners defence is the best in the A-League – conceding only 10 goals thus far. Along with his defensive presence, Zwaanswijk possesses a deadly left-footed strike which has resulted in three superb goals from the defender.


Centre-back - Andrew Durante
Wellington Phoenix

Leading from the back at Wellington, Durante has been instrumental in helping the Phoenix climb the ranks in the A-League. The Phoenix captain has formed a formidable pairing with Ben Sigmund at the back and their experience has shown with their side sitting in fourth position on the ladder. The 29-year-old appears settled in New Zealand too, having signed on for three more years this week.


Left-back - Aziz Behich
Melbourne Heart

Like Bojic, Melbourne Heart left-back Behich has also been in fine form playing in defence. Behich’s attacking runs have seen him turn provider a staggering five times in just six starts. Along with this Behich also scored what will certainly be one of the goals of the season against Newcastle, ensuring a comprehensive 3-0 win against the Jets. The 21-year-old looks to have found his spot at left-back.


Right midfield - Michael McGlinchey
Central Coast Mariners

Quiet achiever McGlinchey has established himself as a crucial part of the Central Coast squad over the past few seasons. This season, McGlinchey continued with his tireless work ethic in the middle of the part. The New Zealand international has turned provider five times for the Mariners even scoring on one occasion himself. Graham Arnold will hope that he continues to play well alongside youngster Mustafa Amini pressing forward.


Centre midfield - Matt Thompson
Melbourne Heart

Arguably the player of the season thus far, Melbourne Heart hard-man Matt Thompson takes his place in the midfield. What is even more remarkable is that Thompson actually made the move from defence to the midfield this term. Since then the Australian has not looked back netting four times and recording three assists. A remarkable performance in the most recent Melbourne derby affirmed his good form.


Left midfield - Mitch Nichols
Brisbane Roar

Much of the talk of late to do with Brisbane has been on their run of poor form. Despite this, the Roar have found a shining light in Nichols. Nichols, 22, has already appeared 87 times for Brisbane and this season alone has already netted on six occasions. Furthermore he's turned provider twice making him among the most effective midfielders in the A-League. Brisbane will hope to hang on to the talent amid interest from abroad.


Striker - Mate Dugandzic
Melbourne Heart

At just 22, Dugandzic became the first A-League player to complete a transfer from Melbourne Victory to Melbourne Heart. At such a young age Dugandzic handled the situation extremely well showing maturity beyond his years. Furthermore, the Melbourne Heart forward went on to score six times for his new side, turning provider four other times. His impact has seen Melbourne climb into third position.


Striker - Besart Berisha
Brisbane Roar

Berisha arrived in Brisbane hoping to make an impact on an already largely successful Roar side. What followed was a truly remarkable display as the Albanian went on to score nine times making him the single leading goalscorer in the A-League in the season so far. Berisha in 32 attempts on goal has directed a shot on target 23 times signalling to all keepers to not underestimate his ability to find the back of the net.


Striker - Archie Thompson
Melbourne Victory

The Australia international and Victory fan favourite Thompson has, over the past few seasons, been plagued with injuries sidelining him on a number of occasions. However in 2011-12 Thompson has really taken control of the Victory forward line, playing alongside the likes of Harry Kewell and Carlos Hernandez. He has scored six times and his intelligent running has gotten the better of even the best defences in the league.

Do you agree with Goal.com's A-League Team of the Season so far? If not, who would you have in the side?

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