Glory duo, Isaias and Ninokovic nominated for February Player of the Month

Perth Glory pair Diego Castro and Chris Ikonomidis have been nominated for the PFA’s February Player of the Month alongside Adelaide United’s Isaiasand Sydney FC’s Milos Ninkovic.

Glory, the A-League leaders, have established a six point lead at the top of the ladder and Castro and Ikonomidis have been central figures in the West Australian club’s rise to the summit.

The pair have contributed a combined 13 goals and 6 assists between them this season – despite both players only having played 14 of 21 games. When they have been available, their impact for Tony Popovic’s side is undeniable.

February was a particular productive period for Castro, who netted two of his five season goals, including one in a 4-0 drubbing of Brisbane Roar and a strike in a vital 2-1 win over Melbourne Victory.

Ikonomidis meanwhile provided the assist for Castro’s goal against Victory, and Castro returned the favour for Ikonomidis’ goal against Western Sydney Wanderers on February 24.

Ikonomidis was again on target in Glory’s 3-0 thrashing of Wellington in the first week of February.

Castro’s form prompted his teammate – goalkeeper Liam Reddy – to claim in February that the Spanish maestro is the A-League’s greatest ever player. The 35-year-old is equal with Ninkovic in the Alex Tobin voting on 21 votes, despite only having played 14 games – six less than Ninkovic.

Meanwhile, Spanish-Australian Isaias joins the Glory duo as a Player of the Month contender, with his incredible goal in a stunning comeback over Brisbane Roarand his standout performance against Newcastle Jets demonstrating the United captain’s value to the Reds.

Into his fourth season with the Sky Blues, Sydney FC’s Ninkovic continues to prove an evergreen contributor in the A-League. Despite Adam Le Fondre taking on goalscoring duties for Sydney, the Serbian has continued to be a vital link up player for Steve Corica’s side with six assists this season and was back to his best throughout February as Sydney closed the gap on Perth to six points.

Nominated by an awards committee comprised of former players and leading figures in the Australian football media, February’s nominees are voted on by PFA members. The players receiving the highest number of votes from their peers are awarded the PFA Player of the Month award.

2018/19 PFA Player of the Month Recipients:

October/November 2018: Natasha Dowie (Melbourne Victory), Keisuke Honda (Melbourne Victory)
December 2018: Ola Toivonen (Melbourne Victory), Veronica Latsko (Adelaide United)
January 2019: Roy Krishna (Wellington Phoenix), Christine Nairn (Melbourne Victory)
February 2019 Nominees:Diego Castro, Chris Ikonomidis (Perth Glory) Isaias (Adelaide United), Milos Ninkovic (Sydney FC)

Glory duo, Isaias and Ninokovic nominated for February Player of the Month

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

Supporting The Players

Building The Game

The PFA

Glory duo, Isaias and Ninokovic nominated for February Player of the Month

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging​.

Supporting The Players

Building The Game

The PFA

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.