Soccer: Phoenix miss out on awards

Melbourne’s Carlos Hernandez was awarded the Johnny Warren Medal for the A-League's player of the season. Photo / Getty Images

SYDNEY - Melbourne Victory's flamboyant Costa Rican import Carlos Hernandez has capped a brilliant year by taking out the Johnny Warren Medal for the A-League's player of the season.

Hernandez blitzed the field, topping the poll voted on by his peers with 673 votes ahead of Gold Coast United goal machine Shane Smeltz (431) and Wellington Phoenix import Paul Ifill (311).

Hernandez was one of the Victory's shining lights as they finished the home-and-away season a point behind minor premiers Sydney FC, scoring 12 goals including some stunning strikes from long range.

The 27-year-old Costa Rica international also contributed nine assists in 25 appearances in what was by far his best season in three years in the A-League.

"I'm very, very happy, thank you for this present," Hernandez said on receiving the medal.

"I want to thank my family, my fans and the club which is very, very special."

The Victory enjoyed a successful evening at the A-League awards presentation at The Ivy in Sydney, with coach Ernie Merrick taking out the coach of the year.

It was Merrick's second gong after taking out the same prize for the 2006/07 season.

Archie Thompson added to the Victory's haul by claiming the goal of the year for his 68th minute strike against Gold Coast at Etihad Stadium in round 16, when he put the finishing touches on a brilliant team goal.

The young player of the year award went to Brisbane Roar's Tommy Oar, who had the unanimous vote of the expert panel following his impressive performances throughout the 2009/10 season.

Smeltz picked up the golden boot award as the league's top goalscorer for the second year in a row with 19 goals, seven clear of his closest rivals.

Also for the second successive season, Adelaide United's Eugene Galekovic took out the goalkeeper of the year award, seeing off stiff competition from Central Coast's Danny Vukovic and Clint Bolton from Sydney FC.

Having claimed the Premiers Plate on the last day of the season Sydney FC took out the fair play award for accruing the least number of yellow and red cards.

Strebre Delovski was named the referee of the year.

- AAP