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Leo Bertos

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Leo Bertos
Bertos playing for Wellington Phoenix in 2008
Personal information
Full name Leonida Christos Bertos[1]
Date of birth (1981-12-20) 20 December 1981 (age 42)
Place of birth Wellington, New Zealand
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 9+1⁄2 in)
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team
 East Bengal
Number 11
Youth career
Wellington Olympic
2000 Barnsley
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–2000 Wellington Olympic 48 (7)
2000–2003 Barnsley 12 (1)
2003–2005 Rochdale 82 (13)
2005 Chester City 5 (0)
2005 Barrow 1 (0)
2005–2006 York City 4 (0)
2006 Scarborough 1 (0)
2006 Worksop Town 7 (2)
2006–2008 Perth Glory 35 (1)
2008–2014 Wellington Phoenix 127 (9)
2014– East Bengal 0 (0)
2014 →NorthEast United 1 (0)
International career‡
2003–2004 New Zealand U-23 5 (1)
2003– New Zealand 56 (0)
2014– New Zealand Futsal 2 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 24 January 2014
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21 January 2014

Leonidas Christos "Leo" Bertos (born 20 December 1981) is a New Zealand professional footballer plays for I-League club East Bengal. An international since 2003, he has represented his country in 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Early life

Bertos was born in Wellington, to a Greek father and New Zealand mother. He attended Holy Cross primary school (1987–1994) and Wellington College (1995–1999) where he played for the school's 1st XI.

Bertos played for Wellington Olympic in the New Zealand domestic league between 1997 and 2000.

Club career

Barnsley

Bertos started his career in England, playing in Barnsley's youth system.[2] He made his debut for the Barnsley reserve team against Rotherham United in October 2000.[3] and his first-team debut for Barnsley in a 0–4 defeat to Preston North End on 16 April 2001. Bertos signed a professional contract for the club a day later.[4][5] He picked up a knee injury whilst playing in Tenerife,[6] the results of which required a second opinion.[7] These results were delayed,[8] but, when received, it was confirmed that no meniscus was present to his tendon.[9] He scored once for Barnsley; in a 4–1 defeat to Bristol City.[10]

Rochdale

He had a reasonably successful two-year spell at Rochdale scoring the goal in a 1–0 win at Kidderminster that secured the team's League status in 2003–04, but fell out of favour the following year and was released.

Chester City

After failing to impress in a short spell at Chester City Bertos played non-league football for Barrow, York City, Scarborough and Worksop Town.

Perth Glory

Bertos signed for A-League franchise Perth Glory for the start of the 2006–07 season on a two-year contract. Bertos' signing was an attempt to add depth to a Perth midfield that lacked consistency and strength in 2005–06. Bertos replaced star midfield player Nick Ward. Starting all 21 matches of the regular season, Bertos' pace, ability to beat his man, and dangerous crosses from wide areas, resulted in nine assists in his debut season, making him the highest assisting player in the league. Fans bemoaned the fact he failed to find the back of the net given the number of good scoring opportunities.

Bertos explored new opportunities during the A-League off-season. Glory manager Ron Smith allowed him to trial with Greek club Skoda Xanthi, however the trial was unsuccessful and Bertos returned to Perth in time for the start of the 2007–08 season.

During the 2007–08 season Bertos made fourteen appearances for the club and scored one goal and two assists.

Wellington Phoenix

Bertos playing for Wellington Phoenix in 2009

On 24 January 2008, Bertos was signed on a free transfer by his hometown club Wellington Phoenix on a two-year contract.[11] He made his club debut in the opening game of the 2008–09 season against Brisbane Roar. Bertos scored his first goal for Wellington against Sydney on 7 November 2008. He played in 16 of the 21 regular season matches making 14 starts with 2 goals and 4 assists. Bertos was named Wellington Phoenix Player of the Year for 2008–09.

The 2009–10 season was incredibly successful for Bertos and the Phoenix. Bertos played a central role during the regular season to ensure a first finals appearance for the club. He played every game of the season, starting 23 of the 28 matches, scoring 2 goals and providing 8 assists. He holds the all-time leading assists record for the club with 12. On 1 October 2009 he signed a three-year contract extension. On 13 April 2014, the Phoenix announced he would be leaving the club.

East Bengal

File:BertosLeo.png
Bertos in 2014 playing for East Bengal

On 19 July 2014, he signed for Indian club East Bengal for a two year contract. On the virtue of playing in 2010 FIFA World Cup, he qualifies as the marquee player of the club.[12] He was issued the number 11 jersey.[13] He made his debut in a CFL match against Techno Aryan on 23 August 2014, coming as a substitute for Mehtab Hussain.[14]

International career

Bertos made his international debut against Iran on 13 October 2003[15] and has represented New Zealand over 50 times since.[16] He has also represented New Zealand at under-23 level.

Bertos is known for his dribbling and quality skills on the ball. This was shown in the New Zealand vs Brazil game in which he dribbled around two defenders to win a corner. He also played loads if one-twos and did a dragback once in the second half. In the first game of the New Zealand vs Malaysia series (which New Zealand won 1–0), Bertos received the Man of the Match award for his magnificent dribbling performance and domination of the Malaysian defence.

He represented New Zealand at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa.[17] He provided the assist for New Zealand's first two goals against World Champions Italy in a 3–4 friendly loss in Pretoria prior to the Confederations Cup.

2010 FIFA World Cup

In Wellington on 14 November 2009, Bertos provided the assist and delivered the corner from which Rory Fallon headed a thumping game winner against Bahrain to give New Zealand the two-legged aggregate win needed to secure a spot at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Bertos was on hand to see the World Cup trophy unveiled on New Zealand soil for the first time, when it made an eight-hour stop-over in Auckland on 27 April 2010 on its world wide tour before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

On 10 May 2010 Bertos was named as one of eight midfielders in the final 23-man squad to travel to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in June. The squad played several official warm-up internationals against Australia, Serbia, Slovenia and Chile before the World Cup.[18]

Bertos played in all three games at the World Cup, putting in gritty performances to earn New Zealand a 1–1 draw with Slovakia, a 1–1 draw with reigning world champions Italy, and their final 0–0 draw with Paraguay.

Futsal

Bertos was named in the New Zealand Futsal squad to play Australia in a three match series in July 2014 scoring a goal in his debut for the side [19]

International goals and caps

New Zealand's goal tally first.

International career statistics

[20]

New Zealand national team
Year Apps Goals
2003 1 0
2004 5 0
2005 1 0
2006 8 0
2007 6 0
2008 1 0
2009 8 0
2010 9 0
2011 0 0
2012 11 0
2013 2 0
Total 52 0

Career statistics

As of 14 September 2014[21]
Club Season League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Barnsley 2000–01 Championship 2 0 0 0 — 2 0
2001–02 Championship 4 0 1 0 — 5 0
2002–03 League One 6 1 0 0 — 6 1
Total 12 1 1 0 — 13 1
Rochdale 2003–04 League Two 40 9 2 1 1[a] 0 43 10
2004–05 League Two 42 4 3 0 1[a] 0 46 4
Total 82 13 5 1 2 0 89 14
Chester City 2005–06 League Two 5 0 1 0 1[a] 0 7 0
Total 5 0 1 0 1 0 7 0
Chester City 2005–06 League Two 5 0 1 0 1[a] 0 7 0
Total 5 0 1 0 1 0 7 0
York City 2005–06 Conference 4 0 0 0 — 4 0
Total 4 0 0 0 — 4 0
Scarborough 2005–06 Conference 1 0 0 0 — 1 0
Total 1 0 0 0 — 1 0
Perth Glory 2006–07 A-League 21 0 0 0 — 21 0
2007–08 A-League 14 1 0 0 — 14 1
Total 35 1 0 0 — 35 1
Wellington Phoenix 2008–09 A-League 16 2 0 0 — 16 2
2009–10 A-League 27 2 3 0 — 30 2
2010–11 A-League 22 3 0 0 — 22 3
2011–12 A-League 26 1 2 0 — 28 1
2012–13 A-League 24 0 0 0 — 24 0
2013–14 A-League 7 0 0 0 — 7 0
Total 122 8 5 0 — 127 8
East Bengal 2014–15 I-League 0 0 0 0 5[b] 1 5 1
Total 0 0 0 0 5 1 5 1
Career total 266 23 13 1 9 1 288 25
  1. ^ a b c d Appearances in the Football League Trophy
  2. ^ Appearances in Calcutta Football League

Honours

Personal honours

References

  1. ^ Hugman, Barry J. (2005). The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005. Queen Anne Press. p. 58. ISBN 1-85291-665-6.
  2. ^ "Late shocker for academy". Barnsley F.C. 23 October 2000. Retrieved 13 December 2008.
  3. ^ "Reserves face Millers". Barnsley F.C. 31 October 2000. Retrieved 21 July 2008.
  4. ^ "Barnsley 0–4 Preston". BBC Sport. 16 April 2001. Retrieved 21 July 2008.
  5. ^ "Youngsters sign contracts". Barnsley F.C. 17 April 2001. Retrieved 21 July 2008.
  6. ^ "Bertos waiting for scan results". Barnsley F.C. 6 August 2001. Retrieved 21 July 2008.
  7. ^ "Bertos must have second opinion". Barnsley F.C. 6 August 2001. Retrieved 21 July 2008.
  8. ^ "Bertos faces longer wait". Barnsley F.C. 7 August 2001. Retrieved 21 July 2008.
  9. ^ "Bertos receives good news". Barnsley F.C. 8 August 2001. Retrieved 21 July 2008.
  10. ^ "Barnsley 1–4 Bristol City". BBC. 12 October 2002. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
  11. ^ "Phoenix snare Bertos". The Dominion Post. 23 January 2008. Retrieved 14 October 2011.
  12. ^ Times News Network (20 July 2014). "NZ World Cupper Bertos joins EB". The Times of India: 20. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  13. ^ "Registration complete". Leo Bertos via Facebook. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  14. ^ "Kingfisher East Bengal edge past Aryan". East Bengal.
  15. ^ "A-International Lineups". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. Retrieved 4 June 2009. [dead link]
  16. ^ "A-International Appearances – Overall". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. Retrieved 3 June 2009.
  17. ^ "2009 Confederations Cup – New Zealand squad". FIFA.com. Retrieved 9 June 2009.
  18. ^ "All Whites World Cup squad named". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
  19. ^ http://www.nzfootball.co.nz/index.php?id=11&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=3047&tx_ttnews[backPid]=10&cHash=090502b256
  20. ^ Leo Bertos at National-Football-Teams.com
  21. ^ "Soccerway profile". Soccerway. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  22. ^ http://www.wellingtonphoenix.com/default.aspx?s=aleague_newsdisplay&id=26606
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