Finals football has arrived for Melbourne City, with both our Men’s and Women’s squads locked in ahead of a blockbuster Saturday of action.
It all begins across the ditch in New Zealand, where our City boys face a do-or-die Elimination Final against Auckland FC in a 3:00pm (AEST) kick-off.
Despite a slip-up on the final day, it was an otherwise strong run of form to close out the regular season, which Aurelio Vidmar’s side will be looking to carry into Finals as we fight to keep our campaign alive.
There’s a timely boost on the selection front, with Ryan Teague, Nathaniel Atkinson and Andrew Nabbout all named in the extended squad and in contention to return after missing recent fixtures through injury.
Liam Bonetig has also been promoted, providing defensive cover with Samuel Souprayen unavailable due to a knee injury.
While Souprayen won’t feature this weekend, there is positive news around his recovery, with the Frenchman progressing well alongside Kavian Rahmani and Daniel Arzani, who are all likely to come into the selection mix next week should we progress.
Attention will then quickly turn to AAMI Park, where our history-making Women’s side begins their Finals campaign later in the evening in a Semi Final First Leg against Melbourne Victory.
After securing a third consecutive Premiers Plate, our City Women will now set their sights on adding the Championship, with a two-legged Semi Final tie against our crosstown rivals kicking off at 5:00pm.
There’s no shortage of quality returning to the squad, with Holly McNamara back after missing our final game of the regular season due to concussion, while Alexia Apostolakis, Danella Butrus and Shelby McMahon all return from Young Matildas duty.
Caitlin Karic has also been named following her recovery from a hamstring injury, while Ayana Aoyagi has been promoted into the extended squad.
A trio of young talents in Izabella Rako, Kaya Jugovic and Keira Sarris are all out due to international commitments with the Junior Matildas.
Chinaza Uchendu is also out and will miss the remainder of the season, with Football Australia on Friday confirming a four-match suspension (one already served) stemming from two incidents in our clash with Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday 22 March.
With both squads locked in and plenty on the line, it shapes as a massive day for City fans as we look to make our mark in both competitions.
ALM Elimination Final Squad
1. Patrick BEACH (GK), 2. Harrison DELBRIDGE, 4. Liam BONETIG, 7. Mathew LECKIE, 8. Ryan TEAGUE, 10. Takeshi KANAMORI, 11. Elbasan RASHANI, 13. Nathaniel ATKINSON, 15. Andrew NABBOUT, 16. Aziz BEHICH (C), 17. Max CAPUTO, 19. Zane SCHREIBER, 22. Germán FERREYRA, 28. Marcus YOUNIS, 30. Andreas KUEN, 35. Medin MEMETI, 36. Harry SHILLINGTON, 39. Emin DURAKOVIC, 40. James NIEUWENHUIZEN (GK), 44. Besian KUTLESHI.
In: 4. Liam BONETIG (promoted), 8. Ryan TEAGUE, 13. Nathaniel ATKINSON, 15. Andrew NABBOUT (all return from injury).
Out: 26. Samuel SOUPRAYEN (knee), 41. Lawrence WONG (omitted).
Unavailable: 14. Daniel ARZANI (hamstring), 21. Alessandro LOPANE (quad), 26. Samuel SOUPRAYEN (knee), 47. Kavian RAHMANI (knock).
ALW Semi Final Leg 1 Squad
2. Ellie WILSON, 3. Danielle TURNER, 5. Taylor OTTO, 6. Leticia MCKENNA, 7. Danella BUTRUS, 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 9. Holly McNAMARA, 11. Deven JACKSON, 12. Shelby McMAHON, 13. Rebekah STOTT, 14. Laura HUGHES, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 20. Caitlin KARIC, 21. Aideen KEANE, 22. Bryleeh HENRY, 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 25. Ayana AOYAGI (GK).
In: 7. Danella BUTRUS, 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS (both return from international duty), 9. Holly McNAMARA (returns from injury), 12. Shelby McMAHON (returns from international duty), 20. Caitlin KARIC (returns from injury), 25. Ayana AOYAGI (promoted).
Out: 10. Izabella RAKO, 17. Kaya JUGOVIC, 19. Keira SARRIS (all international duty).
Unavailable: 10. Izabella RAKO (international duty), 15. Chinaza UCHENDU (suspension), 17. Kaya JUGOVIC, 19. Keira SARRIS (both international duty).
