2020–21 A-League Explained
The 2020–21 A-League was the 44th season of national level soccer in Australia, and the 16th since the establishment of the A-League in 2004. The season was started on 28 December 2020 and concluded with the Grand Final on 27 June 2021.[3] The start of the season was later than previous seasons as a result of both the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia and New Zealand, and as part of a gradual shift to move the competition from summer to winter.[4] Wellington Phoenix played the majority of their home matches at Wollongong Showground in Wollongong due to international travel restrictions.[5]
Sydney FC were the defending champions and premiers, having won their record fifth and fourth titles respectively the previous season. Melbourne City won their first premiership and championship title, leaving Sydney FC in second on both.
Clubs
There were 12 clubs participating in this season. Macarthur FC made their A-League debut this season.[6]
Club | City | Home stadium(s) | Capacity |
---|
Adelaide United | Adelaide | Coopers Stadium | 16,500 |
Brisbane Roar | Brisbane | Moreton Daily Stadium | 11,500 |
Central Coast Mariners | Gosford | Central Coast Stadium | 20,059 |
Macarthur FC | Sydney | Campbelltown Stadium | 20,000 |
Melbourne City | Melbourne | AAMI Park | 30,050 |
Melbourne Victory | Melbourne | Marvel Stadium | 56,347 |
AAMI Park | 30,050 |
Newcastle Jets | Newcastle | McDonald Jones Stadium | 33,000 |
Coffs Harbour | C.ex Coffs International Stadium | 20,000 |
Perth Glory | Perth | HBF Park | 20,500 |
Sydney FC | Sydney | Stadium Australia | 83,500 |
Sydney Cricket Ground | 48,601 |
Netstrata Jubilee Stadium | 20,500 |
Leichhardt Oval | 20,000 |
Wellington Phoenix | Auckland | Eden Park | 50,000 |
Wellington | Sky Stadium | 34,500 |
Newcastle | McDonald Jones Stadium | 33,000 |
Wollongong | WIN Stadium | 23,000 |
Western Sydney Wanderers | Sydney | Bankwest Stadium | 30,000 |
Western United | Geelong | GMHBA Stadium | 26,000 |
Melbourne | AAMI Park | 30,050 |
Launceston | UTAS Stadium | 19,000 |
Ballarat | Mars Stadium | 11,000 | |
Personnel and kits
Managerial changes
Foreign players
The following do not fill a Visa position:
1Those players who were born and started their professional career abroad but have since gained Australian citizenship (or New Zealand citizenship, in the case of Wellington Phoenix);[53]
2Australian citizens (or New Zealand citizens, in the case of Wellington Phoenix) who have chosen to represent another national team;
3Injury replacement players, or National team replacement players;
4Guest players (eligible to play a maximum of fourteen games)Salary cap exemptions and captains
Transfers
Regular season
The regular season commenced on 28 December 2020 and ended on 10 June 2021.
Fixtures and results
Finals series
See main article: 2021 A-League finals series.
Grand Final
See also: 2021 A-League Grand Final.
Statistics
Top scorers
Including Finals matches[80]
Hat-tricks
See main article: List of A-League hat-tricks.
Awards
Annual awards
The following end of the season awards were announced at the 2020–21 Dolan Warren Awards night on 23 June 2021.[85]
Team of the season
See also
Notes and References
- Web site: Attendance Statistics 2020-21. Ultimate A-League. 27 July 2021. 19 May 2022.
- News: Statistics >> Attendance >> 2020–21. Ultimate A-League. 27 June 2021.
- Web site: Start date confirmed for the A-League and Westfield W-League. A-League. 15 October 2020.
- Web site: A-League set for winter switch after securing new Fox Sports deal. The Sydney Morning Herald. 19 June 2020. 8 September 2020.
- News: Football: Wellington Phoenix based in Wollongong for A-League season. William. Hewett. Newshub. 24 November 2020.
- Web site: Revealed: Two teams to join expanded Hyundai A-League. A-League. 18 February 2019. 14 December 2018.
- Web site: 16 September 2020. United announce club-record Global Technical Partnership with UCAN and unveil new home kit. 16 September 2020. Adelaide United.
- Web site: Reds announce Flinders University as new Premier Partner. A-League. Adelaide United. 10 October 2019.
- Web site: United announce Australian Outdoor Living as Platinum Partner. Adelaide United. 29 September 2020.
- Web site: Brisbane Roar and Umbro announce long-term partnership. Brisbane Roar. 15 August 2014. 30 June 2020. 27 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190327142849/https://www.brisbaneroar.com.au/news/brisbane-roar-and-umbro-announce-long-term-partnership. dead.
- Web site: Brisbane Roar FC launch five kits for 2019/20. A-League. 15 September 2019.
- Web site: Brisbane Roar & ActronAir to Roar for Two More. Brisbane Roar. 18 July 2020.
- News: Central Coast Mariners' new A-League strip a tribute to the past. Emma. Herd. The Daily Telegraph. 20 September 2019.
- Web site: Mariners release new Umbro playing kits for 20/21. Central Coast Mariners. 3 December 2020.
- Web site: Central Coast Mariners launch new Umbro playing kit. A-League. 20 September 2019.
- Web site: 6 January 2021. MATE continues sponsorship of the Central Coast Mariners. 2 February 2021. MATE.
- Web site: Macarthur FC Lock In Italian Sportwear Giant Macron with Long-term Apparel and Retail Partnership Deal. Macarthur FC. 29 July 2020.
- Web site: 31 October 2019. $15m in corporate support sets solid foundations for Macarthur FC. 16 July 2020. A-League.
- Web site: Manchester City replaces Nike with Puma in kit deal. BBC News. 28 February 2019.
- Web site: New A-League kits for 2020/21 Season: every club's released jerseys so far. myfootball. A-League. 14 October 2020.
- News: Special report: Manchester City's sponsors, the links to Abu Dhabi and what it means for Newcastle United. Adam. Crafton. The Athletic. 17 February 2022. Etihad, to this day, sponsor the front of City’s shirts and the club’s stadium, as well as the surrounding academy building known as the Etihad Campus, in addition to exposure at City’s stable of clubs in cities such as New York and Melbourne..
- Web site: Melbourne Victory extends partnership with adidas. Melbourne Victory. 6 February 2017.
- Web site: Metricon extends Principal Partnership with Melbourne Victory. A-League. Melbourne Victory. 1 October 2019.
- Web site: 15 December 2020. Newcastle Jets announces new partnership with Apelle. 15 December 2020. Newcastle Jets.
- Web site: 15 December 2020. A Show of Commitment. 15 December 2020. Newcastle Jets.
- Web site: Glory confirms four-year extension to Macron partnership. Gareth. Morgan. Perth Glory. 15 January 2021.
- Web site: BHP to continue as club's principal partner for 2020/21 season. Gareth. Morgan. A-League. Perth Glory. 30 June 2020.
- Web site: Sydney FC In Australian First Partnership With Under Armour. Sydney FC. 1 July 2019.
- Web site: Sydney FC To Remain In Champions Kit. Sydney FC. 8 October 2020.
- Web site: Sydney FC & The Star Sydney Sign Four Year Deal. Sydney FC. 8 October 2019.
- Web site: Wellington Phoenix Announce Paladin New Zealand As New Strip Partner. Wellington Phoenix. 5 August 2019.
- Web site: Wellington Phoenix Announce KPMG as Principal Partner. Wellington Phoenix. 24 December 2020.
- Web site: Wellington Phoenix Announce MCR as Principal Sponsor. Wellington Phoenix. 5 April 2021.
- Web site: Wanderers announce three-year partnership with Kappa Australia. Western Sydney Wanderers. 17 September 2020.
- Web site: 10 December 2020. Voltaren sign on as Wanderers Co-Major. 10 December 2020. Western Sydney Wanderers.
- Web site: Wanderers x JD Sports: A Co-Major Partnership Continued. Western Sydney Wanderers. 24 September 2020.
- Web site: Western United FC Announce partnership with Kappa. Western United. 21 May 2019.
- Web site: Western United partner with Simonds Homes. Western United. 23 December 2020.
- Web site: Hodson. Joshua. 15 January 2021. Western United Announce Extension With Tasman Logistics And New Deal. 2 February 2021. Ministry of Sport. 15 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210115081424/https://ministryofsport.com.au/western-united-announce-extension-with-tasman-logistics-and-new-deal/. dead.
- News: Matildas' Ante Milicic to coach new A-League side Macarthur FC. The Guardian. 15 May 2019.
- News: Grant Brebner named new coach of Melbourne Victory. Michael. Lynch. The Age. 24 August 2020.
- Web site: Popovic heads to Greece as Aussie trio bid to revive battling Xanthi. Dave. Lewis. Special Broadcasting Service. The World Game. 27 August 2020.
- News: Popovic leaves A-L club Glory for Xanthi. Justin. Chadwick. FTBL. 2 September 2020. Popovic's assistant Hayden Foxe will serve as Glory's interim coach....
- News: Mombaerts quits City to return to France, Kisnorbo handed reins. Michael. Lynch. The Age. 3 September 2020.
- Web site: Veart named Adelaide United coach on two-year deal. 18 September 2020. Special Broadcasting Service. The World Game.
- Web site: Garcia leapfrogs Foxe to land Glory job. 18 September 2020. Special Broadcasting Service. The World Game.
- News: Wanderers sack head coach Jean-Paul de Marigny. Dominic. Bossi. The Sydney Morning Herald. 12 October 2020.
- Web site: 15 October 2020. Wanderers announce Carl Robinson as head coach. 15 October 2020. Western Sydney Wanderers.
- Web site: 15 October 2020. A-League: Carl Robinson and Kenny Miller depart. 15 October 2020. Newcastle Jets.
- Web site: Kerry. Craig. 15 December 2020. A-League: Jets interim coach Craig Deans lauds players' focus on job at hand. 15 December 2020. The Newcastle Herald.
- News: Brebner out after Victory's 7-0 humiliation against Melbourne City. Michael. Lynch. The Sydney Morning Herald. 17 April 2021.
- Web site: Steve Kean confirmed as interim Head Coach. Melbourne Victory. 19 April 2021.
- Web site: A-League Collective Bargaining Agreement – 2008/9 – 2012/13 . Australian Professional Footballers' Football Association . 9 October 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140204110810/http://pfa.net.au/fileadmin/user_upload/_temp_/MINUS_LETTERS_A-League_CBA_08-13_1_.pdf . 4 February 2014 . dead .
- News: A-League: Reds proudly go local in appointing Stefan Mauk as their new captain. Marco. Monteverde. news.com.au. 1 December 2020.
- News: Mauk proud to be Reds' new Captain . Gianluca. Filosi. Adelaide United. 1 December 2020.
- News: Roar name A-League recruit Aldred captain. Ed. Jackson. The Newcastle Herald. 1 October 2019.
- News: Central Coast Mariners set to sign Daniel De Silva from Serie A giants AS Roma. Dominic. Bossi. The Sydney Morning Herald. 7 July 2017.
- Web site: The Covert Agent: Daniel De Silva's complicated club situation explained. DAZN Group. Goal. 25 July 2018.
- News: MARINERS NAME NEW CAPTAIN FOR F3 DERBY. Skaie. Hull. NBN News. 30 December 2020.
- News: Former Socceroos captain signs marquee deal with Macarthur. Dominic. Bossi. The Sydney Morning Herald. 30 July 2020.
- News: A-League: Former Socceroos skipper Mark Milligan named as inaugural captain of new club Macarthur. Marco. Monteverde. news.com.au. 23 October 2020.
- Web site: Jamie Maclaren says the lure of playing in front of family was crucial to his decision to sign for Melbourne City. Ben. McKay. Fox Sports. 5 February 2019. signed a long-term deal that elevates him to marquee next season.
- Web site: Melbourne City FC announces Scott Jamieson as Captain. Melbourne City. 13 October 2018.
- News: 'Really special': Socceroo confirms Victory return. Herald Sun. 23 July 2019. Kruse to fill the second and final designated player....
- News: Every club in the 2020-21 A-League season. Anna. Harrington. Seven News. 22 December 2020. Melbourne Victory - Coach: Grant Brebner, Captain: Leigh Broxham.
- News: Nigel Boogaard confirmed as Jets captain. Newcastle Jets. 5 October 2015. 7 December 2020. 5 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305030749/http://www.newcastlejets.com.au/article/news-nigel-boogaard-confirmed-as-jets-captain/rz4ojg5nwr1izyrmi66npxgb. dead.
- Web site: Defiant Jets captain Boogaard signs new deal with hometown club. Samuel. Green. A-League. 22 December 2020.
- News: A-League: Defender's staying power rewarded with two-year extension. James. Gardiner. The Newcastle Herald. 25 February 2019. Topor-Stanley is the Jets vice captain.
- Web site: Castro Perth Glory's new marquee player. Special Broadcasting Service. The World Game. 6 August 2015.
- Web site: Confirmed: Diego Castro re-signs with Perth Glory for another two years. Fox Sports. 23 April 2019.
- News: Perth Glory recruit Bruno Fornaroli faces baptism of fire against Manchester United. Nick. Taylor. The West Australian. 22 March 2019. Fornaroli, a marquee signing for the next two seasons.
- Web site: Castro confirmed as Glory skipper. Perth Glory. Morgan. Gareth. 17 October 2018. 17 October 2018.
- Web site: Glory A-League squad confirmed. Gareth. Morgan. Perth Glory. 8 January 2021. ...while Diego Castro and Neil Kilkenny have been named captain and vice-captain respectively..
- Web site: Wilkinson to captain Sydney FC. Special Broadcasting Service. The World Game. 18 July 2019.
- News: A-League: Wellington Phoenix sign Israeli striker Tomer Hemed as marquee player. Grant. Chapman. Newshub. 30 November 2020.
- News: El capitán: Mexican star Ulises Dávila to lead Wellington Phoenix in A-League. Phillip. Rollo. Stuff.co.nz. 21 December 2020.
- Web site: McGowan and Cooper named club captains. Western Sydney Wanderers. 23 December 2020.
- Web site: Star marquee Diamanti signs new deal with Western United. Special Broadcasting Service. The World Game. 3 July 2020.
- Web site: Western United announce captain and vice-captain for new A-League season. Western United. 27 December 2020.
- Web site: Statistics >> Player (Goals) >> 2020–21. Ultimate A-League. 26 June 2021.
- News: Gold standard: Derbyshire nets hat-trick as Bulls trample Adelaide in first home win. Vince. Rugari. The Sydney Morning Herald. 12 February 2021.
- Web site: Reed. Sarah. 19 February 2021. Tomi Juric converts three penalty kicks to help Adelaide United come from behind to win 3-2 over Central Coast Mariners. ABC.
- Web site: D’Urbano. Nick. 17 April 2021. A-League giants humiliated as star bags FIVE in historic derby belting . Fox Sports Australia.
- Web site: Garb. Daniel . 16 May 2021. Andy Keogh scores four as Perth Glory thrash Western Sydney Wanderers . The Australian.
- News: A-League: Milos Ninkovic and Ulises Davila share Johnny Warren medal honours. Marco. Monteverde. The Australian. 23 June 2021.