After sitting out the first week of Y-League action thanks to an opening-round bye, Melbourne City’s Foxtel Y-League side will return to action for the first time in the 2019/20 season this Saturday when they welcome Perth Glory to C.B Smith Reserve.
With a bevy of junior internationals at his disposal – including Australian U17 World Cup representatives Idrus Abdulahi and Yaya Dukuly – Head Coach Petr Kratky’s side will be looking to bounce back in the coming season after having their run of two-straight Grand Finals snapped by goal difference in 2018/19.
This task will be further bolstered by several new faces that have arrived in Bundoora during the offseason; talented prospects Joe Gauci, Kerrin Stokes, Gideon Arok and Bernado Olivera all recently arriving in Bundoora.
The four will be joining a gifted group that finished the 2019 NPL2 Victoria Eastern Conference in the seventh position on the table.
In what was a season of great transition amongst their ranks, City’s youth valiantly fought until the final day of the NPL season in an effort to win their way into the top six and retain a place in the second tier of Victorian football, only to just fall short.
Nonetheless, with Kratky often forced to field lineups that’s average age was often as low as 16-years-old, the fighting spirit displayed by City’s youth bodes well for both the club and their futures.
This Saturday morning, this resilience will hopefully be on display as City welcome the youth of Perth Glory to Melbourne.
Coached by 17-time Socceroo and one-time Melbourne Heart attacker Richard Garcia, the Glory suffered a 3-0 defeat in their opening game of the season against Adelaide United.
Welcoming the Reds to Dorrien Gardens, the boys in purple found themselves down a goal after just five minutes last Sunday when Carlo Armiento put the visitors ahead.
An unfortunate own goal from Zayd Farah doubled up Adelaide’s advantage eight minutes into the second half before Armiento sealed the result when he fired in for his brace in the 77th minute of play.
City and Perth met twice during the 2018/19 season, City winning the first meeting between the two sides 3-0 in round three and then sharing the spoils in the return fixture in round nine after a 3-3 draw.
Match Details:
Foxtel Y-League – Conference A Round One
Saturday, 23 November 2019
Melbourne City FC v Perth Glory FC
Venue: C.B Smith Reserve, Jukes Rd, Fawkner VIC
Kick-off: 10.30 am
