Football: Breakout campaign elevates Wellington Phoenix keeper Alex Paulsen to A-League Team of Season captain

Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Alex Paulsen has been named captain of the A-League Team of the Season, after his breakout performance for the competition semi-finalists.

Paulsen was the top votegetter in the player poll, joining Phoenix teammates Scott Wootton, Tim Payne and team captain Alex Rufer in the starting XI, with striker Kosta Barbarouses on the bench. 

In his first season in charge of Wellington, Giancarlo Italiano was named coach of the all-star selection.

"It's very humbling to receive the most votes from my peers and be named the captain of the PFA team of the season," said Paulsen. "There's obviously a lot of incredible talent within the league, so this is a great honour, not only for myself, but for my goalkeeping union here at the Phoenix.

"I wouldn’t be in this position without the support from Jack Duncan and Ruben Parker, who’ve made me the best I can be."

After finishing second on the regular season table, the Phoenix host Melbourne Victory in the return leg of their semi-final on Sunday, hoping to progress to their first-ever A-League Grand Final.

Goalkeeper: Alex Paulsen (Wellington Phoenix)

Defenders: Jacob Farrell (Central Coast Mariners), Brian Kaltak (Central Coast Mariners), Tim Payne (Wellington Phoenix), Scott Wootton (Wellington Phoenix)

Midfield: Tolgay Arslan (Melbourne City), Josh Nisbet (Central Coast Mariners), Alex Rufer (Wellington Phoenix)

Forwards: Bruno Fornaroli (Melbourne Victory), Joe Lolley (Sydney FC), Adam Taggart (Perth Glory) 

Substitutes: Kosta Barbarouses (Wellington Phoenix), Anthony Caceres (Sydney FC), Damien da Silva (Melbourne Victory), Jake Girwood-Reich (Sydney FC), Marcelo (Western Sydney Wanderers), Apostolos Stamatelopoulos (Newcastle Jets), Danny Vukovic (Central Coast Mariners)   

Coach: Giancarlo Italiano (Wellington Phoenix)

Join Newshub at 6:30pm Saturday for live updates of the Phoenix v Victory A-League semi-final

Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Alex Paulsen has been named captain of the A-League Team of the Season, after his breakout performance for the competition semi-finalists.

Paulsen was the top votegetter in the player poll, joining Phoenix teammates Scott Wootton, Tim Payne and team captain Alex Rufer in the starting XI, with striker Kosta Barbarouses on the bench. 

In his first season in charge of Wellington, Giancarlo Italiano was named coach of the all-star selection.

"It's very humbling to receive the most votes from my peers and be named the captain of the PFA team of the season," said Paulsen. "There's obviously a lot of incredible talent within the league, so this is a great honour, not only for myself, but for my goalkeeping union here at the Phoenix.

"I wouldn’t be in this position without the support from Jack Duncan and Ruben Parker, who’ve made me the best I can be."

After finishing second on the regular season table, the Phoenix host Melbourne Victory in the return leg of their semi-final on Sunday, hoping to progress to their first-ever A-League Grand Final.

Goalkeeper: Alex Paulsen (Wellington Phoenix)

Defenders: Jacob Farrell (Central Coast Mariners), Brian Kaltak (Central Coast Mariners), Tim Payne (Wellington Phoenix), Scott Wootton (Wellington Phoenix)

Midfield: Tolgay Arslan (Melbourne City), Josh Nisbet (Central Coast Mariners), Alex Rufer (Wellington Phoenix)

Forwards: Bruno Fornaroli (Melbourne Victory), Joe Lolley (Sydney FC), Adam Taggart (Perth Glory) 

Substitutes: Kosta Barbarouses (Wellington Phoenix), Anthony Caceres (Sydney FC), Damien da Silva (Melbourne Victory), Jake Girwood-Reich (Sydney FC), Marcelo (Western Sydney Wanderers), Apostolos Stamatelopoulos (Newcastle Jets), Danny Vukovic (Central Coast Mariners)   

Coach: Giancarlo Italiano (Wellington Phoenix)

Join Newshub at 6:30pm Saturday for live updates of the Phoenix v Victory A-League semi-final

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