Four games into the new season and your City boys remain undefeated and are sitting pretty on top of the A-League Men’s table.
Just two matches remain between now and the World Cup break, with Saturday evening’s clash against Perth Glory the team’s last home match until mid-December.
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YOUR LAST CHANCE TO SEE OUR SOCCEROOS BEFORE THE WORLD CUP
It’s now under three weeks until the Socceroos take on France in their 2022 World Cup opener in Qatar.
While the 26-man squad won’t be officially named until next Tuesday, some familiar faces are right in the mix to be included.
Mathew Leckie, a key member of the Socceroos squad throughout the last decade, looks set to be off to a third consecutive World Cup after playing every possible minute in Russia and Brazil.
Since joining City, Jamie Maclaren has won three consecutive Golden Boots, was the Socceroos leading scorer in qualification, plus also scored a penalty in the do-or-die shootout against Peru – so you’d think there’d not much more he could possibly do.
The final member of the City trio who look most likely to be included is 21-year-old attacker Marco Tilio.
Although Tilio’s CV may not have the years of consistent strong form under his belt like the other two, he’s coming into some strong form at just the right time.
A WELCOME RETURN FOR NUNO?
We may already be four games into the new season, but a key member of City’s line-up from the past couple of years is still yet to make an appearance.
Portuguese defender Nuno Reis was struck down with a hamstring injury on the eve of the season, ruling him out of City’s opening matches.
After going close last week, he’s again been included in the squad and with an extra few sessions now under his belt, Saturday could be the perfect time for him to make his first appearance.
Further adding to the case for his inclusion is the fact that Thomas Lam will miss this weekend’s clash due to suspension after a late second yellow against Wellington.
YOUNG STARS ON THE RISE
Much has been made in the last couple of seasons about City’s plethora of Socceroos talent, but what can’t be forgotten and has been particularly evident in recent weeks, are the young guns in the line-up.
Last weeks starting XI featured four players aged 21 or younger in; Callum Talbot, Jordan Bos, Marco Tilio and Taras Gomulka.
Bos and Tilio have acquainted themselves with City fans in past seasons already, the winners of the clubs last two ‘Rising Star’ awards, but the rise of Talbot and Gomulka may not have been publicised quite as much.
Gomulka’s now in his third season with Melbourne City and after biding his time and working hard in the background, is now reaping the rewards and looks to have nailed down a starting spot.
Talbot of course has only joined City prior to this season but hasn’t taken long to acquaint himself with the City style of play, perhaps being one of the most unheralded members of the line-up having not missing a minute so far.
