2024 A-Leagues All Stars Men game

Last updated
2024 A-Leagues All Star Men game
Event 2023–24 A-League Men
Date24 May 2024
Venue Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, Australia
2022

The 2024 A-Leagues All Stars Men game was the fourth edition of the A-Leagues All Stars Game, and the first since the 2022 Game. It was held at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on 24 May 2024 against English club Newcastle United as part of Global Football Week Melbourne.

Contents

Pre-match

In March 2024, the A-Leagues announced that the A-League All Stars Men would play Newcastle United at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on 24 May 2024 as part of Global Football Week Melbourne – shortly ahead of the 2024 A-League Men Grand Final. [1] In addition, an A-Leagues All Stars Women game would be held for the first time, against Arsenal, immediately after the men's game at the same venue. [2] Newcastle would also play Tottenham Hotspur at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in a friendly two days before the All Stars game. [3] The official kit partner was announced to be Kappa. [4]

Squads

The A-League All Stars Men squad will initially consist of 23 to 26 players, as selected by the coaching staff, before being finalised to an 18 to 20 player squad. [5] Only a maximum of four players per club can be chosen. [5] Nestory Irankunda and Daniel Penha were announced to be the first two players to be selected in the squad as voted by fans. [4] [6] On 14 May 2024, Patrick Kisnorbo was named head coach of the A-League All Stars Men, with Robert Stanton and Mark Milligan as assistant coaches and Michael Theo as goalkeeping coach. [7]

A 13-player preliminary squad selected by Kisnorbo was announced on 15 May. Penha withdrew for personal reasons. [8] Following the season's semi-finals on 20 May, Kisnorbo added eight players from Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix to finalise a 21-player squad for the match. [9] Around the same day, Newcastle United's head coach Eddie Howe announced a 29-player squad for the matches against Tottenham Hotspur and the A-League Men All Stars. [10] Garang Kuol featured as the only Australian player for The Magpies from their 2023–24 season. [11]

Before the match, Howe renamed the starting line-up from their match against Tottenham to consist of under-21s players. Kieran Trippier was named on the bench as the only over-21 player in the match squad after a majority of first-team players were withdrawn. [12] Kuol made his unofficial starting debut for Newcastle in the match. [13] None of the players named for the English side had registered a Premier League start prior to the match. [14]

A-Leagues All Stars Men squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos.NationPlayer
1 GK Flag of New Zealand.svg  NZL Alex Paulsen (Wellington Phoenix)
4 DF Flag of England.svg  ENG Scott Wootton (Wellington Phoenix)
6 MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Luke Brattan (Sydney FC)
7 FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Mathew Leckie (Melbourne City)
8 DF Flag of Brazil.svg  BRA Marcelo (Western Sydney Wanderers)
9 FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Apostolos Stamatelopoulos (Newcastle Jets)
10 MF Flag of Germany.svg  GER Tolgay Arslan (Melbourne City)
11 MF Flag of Bulgaria.svg  BUL Bozhidar Kraev (Wellington Phoenix)
12 MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Jake Hollman (Macarthur FC)
14 FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Nicolas Milanovic (Western Sydney Wanderers)
17 DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Ben Garuccio (Western United)
No.Pos.NationPlayer
18 MF Flag of New Zealand.svg  NZL Ben Old (Wellington Phoenix)
20 GK Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Lawrence Thomas (Western Sydney Wanderers)
21 DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Jordan Courtney-Perkins (Sydney FC)
22 FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Adam Taggart (Perth Glory)
23 DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Rhyan Grant (Sydney FC)
26 MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Jay O'Shea (Brisbane Roar)
27 DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Kai Trewin (Brisbane Roar)
32 MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Angus Thurgate (Western United)
66 FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Nestory Irankunda (Adelaide United)
DF Flag of New Zealand.svg  NZL Tim Payne (Wellington Phoenix)

Newcastle United squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos.NationPlayer
2 DF Flag of England.svg  ENG Kieran Trippier
3 DF Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  WAL Paul Dummett
7 MF Flag of Brazil.svg  BRA Joelinton
9 FW Flag of England.svg  ENG Callum Wilson
11 MF Flag of Scotland.svg  SCO Matt Ritchie
14 FW Flag of Sweden.svg  SWE Alexander Isak
15 FW Flag of England.svg  ENG Harvey Barnes
17 DF Flag of Sweden.svg  SWE Emil Krafth
20 DF Flag of England.svg  ENG Lewis Hall
22 GK Flag of England.svg  ENG Nick Pope
23 MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Jacob Murphy
24 FW Flag of Paraguay.svg  PAR Miguel Almirón
29 GK Flag of England.svg  ENG Mark Gillespie
30 DF Flag of Scotland.svg  SCO Harrison Ashby
32 MF Flag of Scotland.svg  SCO Elliot Anderson
No.Pos.NationPlayer
33 DF Flag of England.svg  ENG Dan Burn
34 MF Flag of Scotland.svg  SCO Lucas De Bolle
38 FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Garang Kuol
39 MF Flag of Brazil.svg  BRA Bruno Guimarães
40 MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Joe White
49 FW Flag of England.svg  ENG Amadou Diallo
52 MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Jay Turner-Cooke
54 DF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Alex Murphy
63 FW Flag of England.svg  ENG Ben Parkinson
64 MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Ellis Stanton
65 DF Flag of England.svg  ENG Ciaran Thompson
72 DF Flag of England.svg  ENG Dylan Charlton
84 GK Flag of England.svg  ENG Aidan Harris
90 MF Flag of Norway.svg  NOR Travis Hernes

Match

Details

A-Leagues All Stars Men Flag of Australia (converted).svg Flag of New Zealand.svg 8–0 Flag of England.svg Newcastle United
Report
Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Referee: Daniel Elder (Australia)
GK1 Flag of New Zealand.svg Alex Paulsen Sub off.svg 46'
DF17 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ben Garuccio Sub off.svg 61'
DF4 Flag of England.svg Scott Wootton
DF8 Flag of Brazil.svg Marcelo Sub off.svg 61'
DF23 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Rhyan Grant
MF32 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Angus Thurgate Sub off.svg 72'
MF26 Flag of Ireland.svg Jay O'Shea Sub off.svg 72'
MF18 Flag of New Zealand.svg Ben Old Sub off.svg 72'
MF7 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Mathew Leckie Sub off.svg 61'
MF14 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Nicolas Milanovic Sub off.svg 72'
FW22 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Adam Taggart Sub off.svg 46'
Substitutes:
GK20 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lawrence Thomas Sub on.svg 46'
MF6 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Luke Brattan Sub on.svg 72'
FW9 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Apostolos Stamatelopoulos Sub on.svg 46'
MF10 Flag of Germany.svg Tolgay Arslan Sub on.svg 72'
MF11 Flag of Bulgaria.svg Bozhidar Kraev Sub on.svg 72'
MF12 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jake Hollman Sub on.svg 61'
DF21 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jordan Courtney-Perkins Sub on.svg 61'
DF27 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kai Trewin Sub on.svg 61'
MF66 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Nestory Irankunda Sub on.svg 72'
Manager:
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Patrick Kisnorbo
GK29 Flag of England.svg Mark Gillespie Sub off.svg 63'
DF72 Flag of England.svg Dylan Charlton
DF54 Flag of Ireland.svg Alex Murphy
DF65 Flag of England.svg Ciaran Thompson Sub off.svg 46'
DF30 Flag of Scotland.svg Harrison Ashby Yellow card.svg 87'
MF90 Flag of Norway.svg Travis Hernes
MF52 Flag of England.svg Jay Turner-Cooke Sub off.svg 46'
MF40 Flag of England.svg Joe White
MF38 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Garang Kuol
FW63 Flag of England.svg Ben Parkinson
FW7 Flag of England.svg Amadou Diallo
Substitutes:
GK84 Flag of England.svg Aidan Harris Sub on.svg 63'
DF2 Flag of England.svg Kieran Trippier
DF20 Flag of England.svg Lewis Hall
MF32 Flag of England.svg Elliot Anderson
MF34 Flag of Scotland.svg Lucas De Bolle Sub on.svg 46'
MF64 Flag of England.svg Ellis Stanton Sub on.svg 46'
Manager:
Flag of England.svg Eddie Howe

Post-match

The men's game was heavily criticised for the schedule of the event which resorted Newcastle United to field a team of players from their youth academy after the club's first-team players were withdrawn for international duty. The average age of the match squad was 19.5 years old, excluding goalkeeper Mark Gillespie. [15] Eddie Howe noted that it was not possible for his side to field the first-team players due to travel, risk of injuries, and the recent conclusion of the 2023–24 Premier League. [16] Newcastle reportedly travelled 16,914 km (10,510 m) from Heathrow Airport to play in Melbourne, three days after their 2023–24 season finished. Kieran Trippier and Alan Shearer criticised the date of the friendlies which placed near to the 2024 Copa América and UEFA Euro in June 2024. [17] [18] For fans, the match was deemed to be disrespectful to the A-League and local supporters for fielding a weaker side than anticipated. [19] Newcastle were reported to have received a seven-figure sum from the matches. [14]

After concerns were raised about player welfare, The Football Association opened about a rule change that would prohibit overseas friendlies after a season was completed. English clubs are also obligated to give players a five-week rest following that period. The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) were reported to be aware of these concerns. [20] The match was the first win for the A-League Men in an A-Leagues All Stars Game after losing in the matches to Manchester United, Juventus and Barcelona. The crowd was confirmed to be 42,000 spectators in total after the women's match. [21] Despite the absence of first-team players, Howe said the match was a great experience for the younger players going against experienced opposition. [22] All Stars head coach Patrick Kisnorbo praised his sides' hunger and dominance during the match although understood Howe's decision prior. Kisnorbo also suggested for future matches to be between an Asian side rather than a European opposition to solve scheduling issues. [23]

References

  1. "Tottenham, Newcastle and Arsenal to send teams to Melbourne for exhibition matches". ABC News . 19 March 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  2. "Arsenal Women to play in Australia". Arsenal. 28 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  3. Rugari, Vince (18 March 2024). "A-Leagues All stars is BACK in 2024: Everything you need to know". A-Leagues. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  4. 1 2 "First FOUR A-League All Stars named as iconic Kappa playing kit unveiled". A-League. 23 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  5. 1 2 "A-Leagues All Stars fan voting open NOW: How it works". A-League. 25 March 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  6. Kidane, Benyam (24 April 2024). "Nestory Irankunda headlines A-League All Stars as special edition Kappa kit unveiled". Sporting News. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  7. "Patrick Kisnorbo named A-League All Stars Men boss as stacked coaching staff revealed". A-Leagues. 14 May 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  8. "PRELIM SQUAD: 13 A-League All Stars Men players locked in to face Premier League giants". A-Leagues. 14 May 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  9. "A-League All Stars Men lock in final 21-player squad to take on Newcastle United this Friday". A-Leagues. 20 May 2024.
  10. "Squad for Australia trip confirmed as Magpies head Down Under". Newcastle United . 19 May 2024.
  11. Pisani, Sacha (9 May 2024). "Confirmed: Newcastle United will bring Garang Kuol home to take on A-Leagues All Stars". A-Leagues. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  12. Scurr, Dominic (24 May 2024). "Newcastle United line-up: Kieran Trippier call made as former West Ham man starts ahead of summer move". The Shields Gazette. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  13. "Team news: First start for Kuol". Newcastle United F.C. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  14. 1 2 "NUFC receive seven-figure transfer boost ahead of summer window - was it worth it?". The Shield Gazette. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  15. McMurtry, Andrew (25 May 2024). "Football world pile on Newcastle United after Aussie humiliation". news.com.au. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  16. Drury, Sam (24 May 2024). "A-League All Stars 8-0 Newcastle: Eddie Howe's young side thumped". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  17. Hardy, Martin (25 May 2024). "Kieran Trippier slams Newcastle's Australia trip for Tottenham friendly". The Times . Archived from the original on 16 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  18. "'Crazy' Australia trip slammed by Newcastle United legend". ABC News. 20 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  19. Deans, Adrian (24 May 2024). "EPL cash-grab by Newcastle United is a disgrace. The A-League deserves better". FTBL. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  20. Ziegler, Martyn; Hardy, Martin (23 April 2024). "FA could ban clubs from globetrotting post-season friendlies". The Times . Archived from the original on 23 April 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  21. "All Stars recap: Arsenal notch narrow win after young talent shines in Newcastle domination". A-Leagues. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  22. "A-Leagues icon says what everyone is thinking after All Stars demolish Newcastle United". A-Leagues. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  23. "Coach's left-field idea for next A-Leagues All Stars opponent: 'I think that's sort of next'". A-Leagues. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.