Joel Griffiths
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| Joel Griffiths | ||
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| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Joel Griffiths | |
| Date of birth | August 21, 1979 | |
| Place of birth | Sydney, Australia | |
| Height | 1.82 m (5 ft 111⁄2 in) | |
| Playing position | Right Winger, Striker | |
| Club information | ||
| Current club | Avispa Fukuoka | |
| Number | 25 | |
| Youth clubs | ||
| Menai Sutherland |
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| Senior clubs1 | ||
| Years | Club | App (Gls)* |
| 1997-1999 1999-2001 2001-2003 2003-2006 2006 2006-present 2008 |
Sydney United Parramatta Power Newcastle United Jets Neuchâtel Xamax Leeds United Newcastle United Jets → Avispa Fukuoka (loan) |
28 (8) 51 (15) 46 (25) 72 (4) 2 (0) 42 (21) 9 (3) |
| National team2 | ||
| 1999 2005- |
 Australia U-20 Australia |
5 (1) 3 (1) |
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1 Senior club appearances and goals |
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Joel Griffiths (born August 21, 1979) is an Australian football (soccer) player. A right sided attacking midfielder, he currently plays for Japan's J. League side Avispa Fukuoka on loan from A-League club Newcastle Jets. He made this transfer on July 31, 2006 for an undisclosed fee after a brief spell in England with Leeds United, having signed from Swiss club Neuchatel Xamax on January 17, 2006. He only managed two substitute appearances for Leeds, where it is rumored that he did not have a good relationship with his manager.[citation needed]
Contents |
[edit] Club career
His previous clubs were Sydney United, Parramatta Power and Newcastle United in the now defunct National Soccer League (NSL). He also had a brief stint with Leeds United where he made two appearances.
After joining the Newcastle Jets in the 2006-07season Griffiths quickly formed the basis of the team that underwent a strong resurgence under new coach Gary van Egmond. His memorable performances include scoring two goals in extra time against Perth Glory in round 20 to draw the game at 3-3. At the end of the regular season Griffiths had contributed a total of 6 goals for the Jets. The Jets would finish third in the regular season and be narrowly knocked out of the chance to play in the AFC Champions League and the A-League 2006-07 Grand Final. He was voted Squadron player of the year for the season.
In the 2007-08 Joel's twin brother Adam Griffiths joined the team. With the loss of key attacking players such as Nick Carle, Milton Rodriguez and Vaughan Coveny, Griffiths became the key to the Jets attack throughout the season. Early in the season Griffiths controversially assaulted a linesman, which he was awarded a yellow card for, narrowly escaping harsh punishment due to FIFA regulations. His performances on the pitch quickly lead him to be the focus of much media attention, with Griffiths remaining in career best form for much of the season. 2 stunning goals against Melbourne Victory in round 17 saw him called into the training squad for the A-League based Socceroos, but later had to withdraw from the squad due to injury. At the end of Griffith's outstanding regular season he had scored 12 goals, which earned him the A-League Golden Boot award. Finishing 2nd in the regular season on goal difference, the Jets later went on to win the Grand Final.
With the conclusion of the season, Griffiths is expected to join J-League division 2 side Avispa Fukuoka on a loan spell. On March 5 2008, it was announced that he joined the Japanese club on loan.
[edit] International career
He represented Australia at the FIFA World Youth Championship in Nigeria in 1999. Griffiths made his debut for the full national team on October 9, 2005 against Jamaica, scoring a goal before celebrating by hopping up and down like a Kangaroo. This was Australia's final warm up match before their World Cup qualifier playoff match against Uruguay. Many suggest that Joel would have played in this famous match had it not been for his falling out with the Leeds manager, which cost him match time.[citation needed] This also impacted on his chances of playing in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, which Australia qualified for after beating Uruguay on penalties.[citation needed] In January 2008, he was named in the 22-man Socceroos squad for the training camp at Sydney, but would not play the World Cup Qualifying match against Qatar due to injury.
[edit] Honours
With Newcastle Jets:
Personal Honours:
- Johnny Warren Medal: 2007-2008 with Newcastle Jets
- A-League Golden Boot: 2007-2008 with Newcastle Jets - 12 goals
- Newcastle Jets Player of the Year: 2007-2008
- Newcastle Jets Member's Player of the Year: 2007-2008
- Newcastle Jets Member's Player of the Year: 2006-2007
[edit] External links
| Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Daniel Allsopp |
A-League Golden Boot 2007/08 |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Preceded by Nick Carle |
Johnny Warren Medallist 2007/08 |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
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