Brett Emerton named Oceania player of the year

Australian midfielder and Feyenoord regular Brett Emerton has been named the OFC player of the year for 2002 after polling well clear of attacker Harry Kewell and goal keeper Mark Schwartzer

Polling 63 votes, Emerton managed to poll 17 votes clear of Kewell (46) and 24 votes clear of Schwartzer. Emerton heading the Aussie trifecta at the awards.

Emerton, who scored against England in their recent win, announced his hopes for world cup qualification in 2006.

"We've shown our potential with the recent win over England and that we have quality players who can match it with the best in the world. With the Oceania winner going direct to the World Cup finals, I hope Australia can now qualify."

This year saw 27 players nominated for the award, one less that the 1997 recortd of 28 nominated players. Fourth of the 27 was Kiwi Simon Elliot with 34 votes while countrymen Ryan Nelsen and Ivan Vicelich also polled strongly behind Elliott. The best of the other OFC nations saw Fiji's Esala Masi with 18 votes.



posted 11 March 2003

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