The clash
Melbourne City will be looking to keep their hopes of a second FFA Cup trophy alive when they host familiar cup foes Western Sydney Wanderers at AAMI Park on Wednesday evening.
City booked their place in the Quarter Finals following a 2-1 win over National Premier League (NPL) New South Wales side Marconi Stallions FC in the Round of 16.
A dominant first-half showing from Head Coach Erick Mombaerts’ side saw City take a 2-0 cushion into the half-time interval at Marconi Stadium.
City attacker Jamie Maclaren’s run of form in front of goal continued with the striker breaking the deadlock inside the opening 90 seconds when he met Scott Galloway’s pin-point cross with a glancing header. Craig Noone doubled City’s advantage on the cusp of half time with a quality outside of the boot finish as he continued his strong start to life in City blue.
The contest dried up in the second period, with chances few and far between before the hosts hit back with a late goal through Martin Fernandez. Despite Marconi’s late rally, City held firm to secure their passage through to the next phase.
City will face their toughest opponents yet when they take on the Wanderers, a team who has knocked out last season’s premiers, Perth Glory at Dorrien Gardens in Western Australia, before destroying Sydney United 58 FC 7-1 at Campbelltown Stadium in the Round of 16.
Fresh off an impressive 2-1 win over the Glory, Western Sydney created club history scoring their highest ever score when they defeated United 7-1.
Radoslaw Majewski and Daniel Georgievski starred as the Wanderers piled the pressure on their 10-man opponents. Bruce Kamau opened the scoring, as a brace to Georgievski and single goals to Kwame Yeboah, Tate Russell, Majewski and a Matthew Bilic own goal rounded out the result. Sydney United’s Patrick Antelmi converted a penalty for the hosts only goal of the match.
Team news
Defender Richard Windbichler will miss the clash as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.
What was said?
Melbourne City Head Coach Erick Mombaerts:
“The result matters. In the cup you need to win to get to the next stage, and we want to win. We need to play well and focus on our performance and our style. We need to create chances and score, our possession needs to be effective.”
Where and when?
City take on Western Sydney at AAMI Park on Wednesday 18 September, kick-off 7:30pm. Get your tickets here.
