Wellington Phoenix players Liberato Cacace & Callum McCowatt were joined by former midfielder, Sarpreet Singh in claiming an award at the annual New Zealand Football Awards held in Auckland on Saturday night.
Wellington Phoenix attacker, McCowatt claimed the Domestic Player of the Year after enjoying a brilliant year in the ISPS Handa Premiership. The 20-year old joined the Welington club after impressing with his performances in the New Zealand Domestic league, helping former club Eastern Suburbs to their first National League title since 1971.
He also picked up the Golden Boot award in the process, with 21 goals scored.
‘‘It’s an unbelievable honour to have been awarded and I want to thank everyone who’s had a part to play in my progression so far,’’ McCowatt said.
Cacace, 18, the youngest of the Wellington Phoenix winners bagged the Young Men’s Player of the Year for his performances in the Hyundai A-League 2018/19 season.
Having made his debut back in the 2017/18 season, Cacace experienced a superb individual campaign in the left back position, adding pace and attacking prowess to the Hyundai A-League Finals journey.
The young full-back racked up more minutes than any of his teammates and also scored his maiden Hyundai A-League goal, in an 8-2 win over Central Coast Mariners.
‘‘I’m very excited to even be nominated so to win is an incredible feeling,’’ Cacace commented.
Both McCowatt and Cacace also enjoyed a great International campaign with the U-20 World Cup team in Poland, helping their side reach the Round of 16.
Singh, 20, won the Men’s International Player of the Year at the awards night for his performances for the All Whites and Wellington Phoenix.
It’s been a whirlwind year for Singh who earned a move to Bundesliga giants, Bayern Munich after a fantastic season in the Hyundai A-League 2018/19 season. His performances in the middle of the park for Wellington Phoenix earned him plenty of plaudits from pundits and professional footballers alike.
On the International stage, Singh earned his first senior New Zealand cap in a friendly with Canada in March 2018 before scoring his maiden goal in a 2-1 defeat to Kenya. More recently, Singh helped the New Zealand U-20 side to a Round of 16 finish in the U-20 World Cup in Poland.
Singh was also nominated for the Player of the Year but narrowly lost out to Premier League striker, Chris Wood.
New Zealand Football Awards 2019 – At A Glance
