Two Greeks have taken out Melbourne Victory awards this week, with James Troisi being named the Players Player of the Year and Kiwi Kosta Barbarouses winning the club’s very first AFC Champions League Most Valuable Player award. Troisi also collected the TAC Golden Boot for his 12 goals this season in 35 games.
The awards capped a huge week for the half-Greek half-Italian player, who was named in Ange Postecoglou’s World Cup squad. Troisi also just missed out on player of the year by one point, with full-back Adama Traore taking out the honour.
Barbarouses was rightfully honoured for his performance in the Asian Champions League, playing in six of the club’s seven Champions League matches, netting two goals.
Coach Kevin Muscat congratulated all winners on their achievements.
“Adama has had a standout season and is certainly a deserved winner of the Victory Medal, although it got unbelievably close at the end, I was thinking we were going to have a tie between him and James (Troisi),” Muscat said.
“The entire squad should be very pleased with their efforts this season. Throughout both the Hyundai A-League and the Asian Champions League every player has shown great determination and passion and we are all looking forward to achieving even greater success next season as we celebrate the club’s 10th anniversary.”
Also in attendance at the Victory awards night were Greek Australian fans George Calombaris and Helen Kapalos.
