International players dominate the January Player of the Month nominees across the A-League and W-League, following an impressive month of football for foreigners.
Lioness forward Natasha Dowie, American Mallory Webber and Serbian international striker Milica Mijatović have been shortlisted for the award in the W-League, while Swiss defender Gregory Wüthrich, New Zealand left-back Liberto Cacace and Albanian stalwart Bersart Berisha are the A-League nominees.
In the W-League Dowie helped propel Victory back into finals contention after a flawless January for the reigning Premiers.
Securing three of their five season wins during the first month of 2020, Dowie was a central figure for the navy blue, scoring four goals in the three wins over the Jets, Adelaide United and Canberra to take her campaign tally to six goals.
For league leaders Melbourne City, Serbian striker Milica Mijatović’s form in January helped open up a six-point gap at the summit, with the former Red Star Belgrade’s two goals coming as City secured maximum points in January.
At the opposite end of the table, Adelaide United have battled during the 2019/20, but have unveiled a shining light in the form of one of the league’s in-form signings, Mallory Weber.
The former Utah Royals and Portland Thorns midfielder scored a brace in one of the best individual performances of the season, with Adelaide securing its first win of the season with a thrilling 3-2 win over Western Sydney Wanderers.
In the A-League, towering Swiss defender Gregory Wüthrich was crucial to Glory’s defensive stability in a month in which the West Australians didn’t concede.
On-loan from Swiss club Young Boys, Wüthrich has been an inspired signing, demonstrating his strength, power and pace to negate his opponents.
The youngest nominee of the month, 19-year-old New Zealand left-back Liberto Cacace, was a key performer for Wellington Phoenix in January, impressing on the left flank and scoring his first goal of the campaign against the Wanderers.
The oldest nominee – 34-year-old A-League statesman Besart Berisha – continued to build his tally and reputation as the league’s greatest-ever scorer in January.
Berisha scored back-to-back braces; in Western United’s 3-0 demolition of Central Coast Mariners and against Adelaide United in his 200th appearance in the competition. Berisha now has 126 goals in 201 A-League appearances.
The PFA Player of the Month award nominees are selected by a panel of former players and leading media figures, with the winner voted on by the players of the respective league.
PFA members will vote on the six nominees this week.
