It’s not long until you’ll be able to see your City boys live in competitive action for the first time this season!
Patrick Kisnorbo’s men will face Wellington Phoenix in the Australia Cup Round of 16 at Casey Fields on Wednesday night.
We take a look at all the big talking points ahead of the knockout clash!
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CITY FOOTBALL COMES TO THE SOUTH EAST
For the first time ever, City’s Men’s squad will play a competitive fixture in the South East.
The clash follows the Club’s re-location to Casey Fields midway through 2021.
City were set to face Wellington at the same venue in last season’s Cup, but a COVID-enforced postponement and subsequent relocation meant the game didn’t go ahead as planned.
City Members can redeem a complimentary ticket to Wednesday’s fixture, while kids will also go free on Wednesday night. Non-members can click here to purchase their tickets.
The pitch is looking in pristine condition ahead of what is set to be a big night at Casey Fields!
HOW STRONG WILL PK GO?
Kisnorbo’s last Australia Cup line-up saw a mix of youth and experience, with plenty of big guns appearing in the team’s first competitive hit-out of 2022/23.
The back four was the same as fans have been used to seeing as of late, while Florin Berenguer, Marco Tilio and Jamie Maclaren all started further up the pitch.
New signing Callum Talbot appeared off the bench, along with Mathew Leckie, with both being substituted on in the second half. Along with that duo, Andrew Nabbout is another set to come under close consideration for a first start of the campaign.
With another two weeks of pre-season now passed since City’s last Cup fixture, expect Kisnorbo to go with a strong squad for his team’s first match against A-League Men’s level opposition.
EXERCISING SOME DEMONS
City’s last couple of fixtures against Wellington have been ones to remember. A 2-1 win secured back-to-back Premierships in May and followed a big 6-0 win a month prior.
The meeting before that though –the team’s last in the Cup – was one to forget for City fans. 120 minutes wasn’t enough to separate teams, with City eventually seeing its fate sealed in a disappointing penalty shootout.
That should provide plenty of motivation for Wednesday’s clash against the same opposition, as City seeks to secure the one piece of domestic silverware that has eluded it in recently.
YOUNGSTERS TO SHINE AGAIN?
One common theme fans are used to seeing in the Australian Cup is young players getting an opportunity to showcase their talents.
Luke Oresti is a prime example, the City Academy product making just his second senior appearance (and first start) last time out and scoring the goal that eventually secured City’s place in the last 16.
Max Caputo also saw plenty of action off the bench, while now first-team regular and 2021/22 Rising Star, Jordan Bos, played the full 90 minutes.
The likes of Jordi Valadon, Emin Durakovic and Raphael Borges Rodrigues have all been in good form lately in the NPL, so don’t be shocked to see any of those names amongst the squad come Wednesday night.
