Adelaide United’s Argentinean wizard Marcos Flores has capped off a stellar first full season in the Hyundai A-League after being named the 2010/11 Johnny Warren Medallist at the league’s Awards Night in Sydney last night.
The Johnny Warren Medal, the Hyundai A-League-s most prestigious award which is voted on by the players, saw Flores receive 618 votes and finish well clear of Brisbane Roar midfield duo Thomas Broich (495 votes) and Matt McKay (432).
Flores had eight assists to go with his eight goals in his 27 regular season appearances, the 25 year old constantly wowing audiences around the country with his skill, South American flair and ability to produce what he refers to as a ‘killer pass-.
It was also a night to celebrate for Reds striker Sergio van Dijk, who received the Reebok Golden Boot Award as the league-s leading goal scorer. Van Dijk finished with 16 goals at the end of the regular season, five ahead of his nearest rival, to take out the honour.
Van Dijk-s tally included one hat-trick, which came in the Reds- 8-1 rout of North Queensland Fury, finding the back of the net twice on three occasions, and a period in which he scored 10 goals in nine games.
While the Reds may have been knocked out of the championship race in the second week of the finals, the individual honours to Flores and van Dijk are arguably befitting recognition of their performances this season, and United fans will be hoping the pair can produce more of the same in 2011/12.
