The FOXTEL All Stars will have an injection of passion and Spanish flair after the Australian football family overwhelmingly voted Adelaide United coach Josep Gombau to lead the All Stars against Juventus
The FOXTEL All Stars will have an injection of passion and Spanish flair after the Australian football family overwhelmingly voted Adelaide United coach Josep Gombau to lead the All Stars against Juventus at ANZ Stadium on 10 August 2014.
Gombau earned 39.7% of the 16,000 votes while Brisbane Roar-s Mike Mulvey (21.3%) and Western Sydney coach Tony Popovic (17.3%) also polled well.
The fans will now switch their attention to filling the playing squad that Gombau will drive with voting opening today (Tuesday). Fans can vote for their favourite Hyundai A-League player by logging onto www.aleagueallstars.com.au before the polls close at 11pm on 4 May 2014 (Hyundai A-League grand final night).
Gombau took out the public vote after piloting Adelaide United into Hyundai A-League Championship contention on the back of entertaining football that has seen the Reds move from the bottom of the table to within one match of a surprise top two finish.
The Spaniard has worn his heart on his sleeve and is certain to bring that passion into All Star camp when the best players in the Hyundai A-League take on the biggest club in Italian football.
“It is an honour for me that the Australian fans have asked me to coach the All Stars team and I will bring my best passion and desire to the job,” Gombau said. “We will play good football and try to play positive against Juventus.
“I would like to thank the Australian fans for voting for me and I am very interested to see which players they also select for this special match.”
Football Federation Australia CEO David Gallop applauded the anointment of Gombau, as the All Stars concept looks to grow on the success of last year-s clash with Manchester United that drew a sell out crowd of 83,127 at ANZ Stadium.
“The All Stars match against Manchester United was a fantastic success last year and the selection of Josep Gombau by the fans is an inspired choice that ensures the 2014 match will be played with spirit and flair,” Gallop said.
“Josep Gombau has been a great addition to the impressive coaching ranks in the Hyundai A-League and I-m sure he will do the job and occasion justice against Juventus at ANZ Stadium on 10 August.
“The fans now have the chance to pick the squad that Josep will take onto the pitch with the likes of Alessandro Del Piero, Thomas Broich, Besart Berisha, Mark Milligan, Marcelo Carrusca, Matt McKay, Adam Taggart, Awer Mabil and David Williams all sure to poll well.”
Fans will have the opportunity to cast their votes with a preliminary squad of 32 to be named on Wednesday 7 May. A second round of public voting will cut the squad from 32 to 16 before Gombau adds four “wild card” picks to give the squad balance.
The FOXTEL All Stars will come into camp on 1 August with the match to be played at ANZ Stadium on Sunday 10 August.
Go to www.a-leagueallstars.com.au/tickets to buy your tickets online. To purchase over the phone, call Ticketek on 132 849 or get your tickets from your local Ticketek agency.
Official travel packages for interstate and international visitors are also on sale now. For the latest information please visit www.a-leagueallstars.com.au/travel.
Corporate hospitality packages are available from ANZ Stadium (www.anzstadium.com.au).
