The 2024 A-League All Stars faced English heavyweights Newcastle United on Friday, with the visitors leaving defeated 8-0 from a packed Marvel Stadium in Melbourne with over 42,000 fans.
Wellington Phoenix’s Ben Old scored the opening goal in just the fourth minute followed by Nicolas Milanovic, Adam Taggart, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, Jake Hollman, Jordan Courtney-Perkins and Bozhidar Kraev.
Stamatelopoulos had been featured from the start as part of an initial 13 player squad before the final team of 21 players was confirmed on Monday.
He has enjoyed a career-best season, with 17 goals from 25 appearances, and is the competition’s third highest goal scorer.
This year’s was the first ever A-Leagues All Stars double-header, but results were mixed as the Women’s team lost 1 – 0 to the Women’s Super League giants Arsenal Women FC.
“What a sight to see our first-ever A-League All Stars Women take on a powerhouse of world football in Arsenal Women FC and for our A-League All Stars Men to put on an entertaining showing and beat a young Newcastle United.”
“What a fantastic night of football,” said A-Leagues Commissioner Nick Garcia.
Μeanwhile, the A-League 2024 Grand Final was held in Gosford on Saturday, with Central Coast Mariners beating Melbourne Victory 3-1 at a sold out Industree Group Stadium.
