Melbourne Victory Men take on the Western Sydney Wanderers at CommBank Stadium in their Isuzu Ute A-League elimination finals tie on Saturday, May 10.
Qualifying for the Finals Series in a highly competitive race for the top spots on the A-League Men’s ladder, Victory will face an in-form Western Sydney Wanderers side in Parramatta.
Playing many great battles against the Wanderers over the years, Saturday night’s action will be one for the ages in a do-or-die clash for both sides.
Melbourne Victory
Unfortunate not to come away with the three points in their final regular season game against the Newcastle Jets, a win is the requirement for Melbourne Victory in the West of Sydney.
Recording the most finals wins by a margin in A-League Men’s history, securing victory on the biggest of stages is nothing new for the Vuck.
In flying form, fullback Kasey Bos will certainly be one to watch in Navy Blue.
Scoring in two consecutive games and voted as the Turkish Airlines player of the match for the second game running after his performance against the Jets, the youngster will look to continue to impress in his breakout campaign.
While drawing to the Wanderers back in Round 12 at AAMI Park and suffering a late loss in the away fixture in March, Victory will hope to best recreate their memorable 4-3 win at CommBank Stadium last season.
The return of electric Brazilian winger Santos last weekend was a positive addition to Arthur Diles’ squad, who prepare for a truly monumental clash this Saturday night.
Elimination Final Squad
3. Adama TRAORE, 4. Lachlan JACKSON, 5. Brendan HAMILL, 6. Ryan TEAGUE, 7. Daniel ARZANI, 8. Zinedine MACHACH, 9. Nikolaos VERGOS, 10. Bruno FORNAROLI, 11. Clerismario SANTOS RODRIGUES, 14. Jordi VALADON, 16. Joshua INSERRA, 17. Nishan VELUPILLAY, 18. Fabian MONGE, 19. Jing REEC, 21. Roderick MIRANDA, 22. Joshua RAWLINS, 25. Jack DUNCAN, 27. Reno PISCOPO, 28. Kasey BOS, 30. Daniel GRASKOSKI
Ins: 18. Fabian MONGE (promoted), 19. Jing REEC (promoted), 27. Reno PISCOPO (return from injury)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 23. Alexander BADOLATO (unavailable due to league regulations)
Western Sydney Wanderers
Amid a 12-game unbeaten streak, including eight wins in this period, the Red and Black are currently at the top of their game.
The Wanderers finished the season as the league’s highest-scoring team with 58 goals, averaging over 2.23 goals per game.
Alen Stajcic’s side possesses the attacking weapons of Nicolas Milanović, Zac Sapsford, Bozhidar Kraev, Marcus and Antonsson and Brandon Borrello, who combined for 41 goals alone.
Attempting to nullify the Wanderers’ attacking threats and exploiting space to quickly progress the ball for counter-attacking scenarios will be key for Victory in their pursuit of progressing through the Finals Series.
