Finals football has arrived for your City boys, who are closing in on a massive two-legged Semi-Final showdown against cross-town rivals Western United.
After securing a top-two finish to wrap up the regular season, Aurelio Vidmar’s side enjoyed a well-earned week off and is now refreshed and ready for the challenge ahead. Western United, meanwhile, head into the Semi-Final full of confidence following a spirited come-from-behind win over Adelaide in last weekend’s Elimination Final.
City fans can take heart from the fact that both legs of the Semi-Final will be played at our home ground, AAMI Park, beginning this Friday night. The second leg – our official ‘home’ fixture of the two – will follow next Saturday.
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With preparations now complete following a strong fortnight on the training pitch, Vidmar has locked in his squad for Friday’s first leg.
There’s positive news on the injury front, with Steven Ugarkovic returning after missing the final two games of the season due to a hamstring issue. Young defender Harry Shillington has also been promoted to the extended squad.
The one question mark remains around full-back Nathaniel Atkinson, who picked up a minor calf niggle in our last regular season outing.
Vidmar told media on Thursday that Atkinson was a “50/50 chance” to play in the first leg but added that the defender is expected to be available for the second leg if not quite right for Friday.
ALM Semi-Final First Leg Squad
2. Callum TALBOT, 6. Steven UGARKOVIC, 7. Mathew LECKIE, 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, 39. Emin DURAKOVIC, 41. Lawrence WONG, 47. Kavian RAHMANI.
In: 6. Steven UGARKOVIC (returns from injury), 36. Harry SHILLINGTON (promoted).
Out: Nil.
Unavailable: 8. Jimmy JEGGO (achilles), 15. Andrew NABBOUT (knee), 26. Samuel SOUPRAYEN (calf), 34. Jayden NECOVSKI (knee), 40. James NIEUWENHUIZEN (knee).
