Australian football’s progression in the world in 2023 has been recognised by the sport’s governing body FIFA ahead of the annual “Best” awards.
Five Aussies have been named as nominees for some of the awards, including four Matildas stars who represented the country at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Three have been nominated for Best Women’s Player with forwards Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler and Matildas captain Sam Kerr in the running to take out the prize.
Foord, Fowler and Kerr represent Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea respectively in the Women’s Super League in England and all had a starring role in the World Cup.
Foord scored 12 goals in all competitions in the 2022-23 season for her club, while her crucial strike against Denmark helped take Australia to the quarter finals.
Fowler played with maturity beyond her years on the world’s biggest stage at the age of just 20 and enjoyed a solid first season in Manchester while playing alongside international teammate Alanna Kennedy.
Kerr missed most of the World Cup as she recovered from injury before she played a part in helping her side reach the semi-finals for the first time.
Her goal against England to level the scores in the semi-final is a moment millions of Australians will never forget.
The 29-year-old enjoyed another trophy-laden season in London, winning the Super League and the Women’s FA Cup with Chelsea while scoring 29 goals in 38 appearances across all competitions.
Shot-stopper Mackenzie Arnold is up for Best Women’s Goalkeeper, facing six other nominees for the award.
She became a national icon after a top-drawer performance in Australia’s quarter-final triumph over France, saving three spot kicks. Arnold is about to commence her fourth season with West Ham United in the WSL.
Popular coach Ange Postecoglou has seen his name up in lights since making the move to Tottenham Hotspur, becoming the first Australian coach in the English Premier League.
His nomination for Best FIFA Men’s Coach sees him pitted up against the likes of Pep Guardiola of Manchester City and Barcelona boss Xavi.
Postecoglou secured a historic treble in his final season at Scottish giants Celtic, taking out the Premiership, Scottish Cup and League Cup. His Tottenham career has started well, the side winning three of their first four matches of the season.
Swedish coach Tony Gustavsson who led the Matildas to a record 4th place finish has been nominated for Best FIFA Women’s Coach.
FIFA also gives some of the most dedicated football fans a chance to win the FIFA Fan Award and 31-year-old Fran Hurndall who has lived in Australia the past eight years has been selected as one of the three nominees.
Hurndall ran while dribbling a football for an average of 32km a day for 32 days from the Gold Coast to Sydney in a 1000km run that raised money for the Women Sport Australia charity.
The date for the awards night is yet to be announced however voting closes on October 6. You can vote on FIFA.com.
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