Another massive weekend looms for both of Melbourne City’s A-Leagues squads.
For the second consecutive season, the Ninja A-League Women’s Premiership will come down to the final round, with City having the chance to clinch the silverware in Perth.
A win over Glory on Friday night would seal back-to-back titles, while a draw would all but confirm it, though the result wouldn’t be official until the conclusion of Saturday’s match between Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar.
City also has the chance to etch itself into the history books in another way, potentially becoming invincibles for the second time in Club history. Should City avoid defeat once more, it would mark the first time the feat has been achieved over a full home-and-away season.
Aurelio Vidmar’s A-League Men’s squad will then take to the pitch on Saturday night in Sydney, with three more vital points on the line against Western Sydney Wanderers.
Currently enjoying a red-hot run of form—five wins from our last six games—City has surged up the ladder into second place, holding the all-important AFC Champions League Elite qualification spot with three games to play.
Securing that position, or even making a late push for the Premiers Plate should Auckland FC slip up, will require nothing less than a perfect finish.
Both Head Coaches have now confirmed their extended squads ahead of this season-defining weekend on the road.
Michael Matricciani has promoted attackers Kathryn Harvey and Caitlin Karic to an otherwise unchanged squad for Friday night’s fixture against Perth Glory.
Meanwhile, Vidmar will unfortunately be without star forward Mathew Leckie due to a hamstring issue, although the City Head Coach told media on Thursday morning he was optimistic it was only a minor setback.
Harry Shillington, Emin Durakovic and Zane Schreiber have all been added to the extended squad, while newly signed goalkeeper Dakota Ochsenham has also been included and is set to make the trip to Sydney.
Round 23 ALW Squad
5. Taylor OTTO, 6. Leticia McKENNA, 7. Kathryn HARVEY, 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 9. Holly McNAMARA, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 11. Emilia MURRAY, 12. Shelby McMAHON, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 14. Laura HUGHES, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 19. Lourdes BOSCH, 20. Caitlin KARIC, 22. Bryleeh HENRY, 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 27. Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC.
In: 7. Kathryn HARVEY, 20. Caitlin KARIC (both promoted).
Out: Nil.
Unavailable: 17. Mariana SPECKMAIER (ankle)
Round 27 ALM Squad
2. Callum TALBOT, 6. Steven UGARKOVIC, 10. Yonatan COHEN, 13. Nathaniel ATKINSON, 16. Aziz BEHICH (C), 17. Max CAPUTO, 18. Dakota OCHSENHAM (GK), 19. Zane SCHREIBER, 21. Alessandro LOPANE, 22. Germán FERREYRA, 23. Marco TILIO, 27. Kai TREWIN, 30. Andreas KUEN, 33. Patrick BEACH (GK), 35. Medin MEMETI, 36. Harry SHILLINGTON, 38. Harry POLITIDIS, 39. Emin DURAKOVIC, 41. Lawrence WONG, 47. Kavian RAHMANI.
In: 18. Dakota OCHSENHAM (new signing), 19. Zane SCHREIBER, 36. Harry SHILLINGTON, 39. Emin DURAKOVIC (all promoted).
Out: 7. Mathew LECKIE (hamstring), 60. Lachie CHARLES (omitted).
Unavailable: 7. Mathew LECKIE (hamstring), 8. Jimmy JEGGO (achilles), 15. Andrew NABBOUT (knee), 26. Samuel SOUPRAYEN (calf), 34. Jayden NECOVSKI (knee), 40. James NIEUWENHUIZEN (knee)
