Melbourne City take on Melbourne Knights as our pre-season preparations continue for the 2016/17 season. See the five things you need to know ahead of the contest.
Another one under the belt
Melbourne City will continue its pre-season on Tuesday night as they take on Melbourne Knights and with another match under the belt, it can only mean good things for City.
With all of our new signings bar Bruce Kamau picking up game time against Port Melbourne, more minutes for all of our players to understand each other and gain important match fitness will prepare the group for an important run in the Wesfield FFA Cup and start of the A-League season.
Cup competition
The Knights will be a complete different entity to Port Melbourne with the Sunshine-based club still in the hunt in their league competition and of course, the FFA Cup.
With Port dragged into the quicksand of a relegation dogfight, Knights will provide our boys a stern test with their physicality and experience across the park. With the FFA Cup on their mind, this practice match will be as much preparation for us as it is for the Knights on Tuesday night.
Melbourne Knights, how are they faring?
Wins: 8
Draws: 4
Losses: 9
Last 5 matches:
Bentleigh Greens: L 0-4
Hume City: L 3-0
Richmond: W 2-0
Bulleen Lions: D 1-1
Port Melbourne: W 1-0
Inconsistency has plagued Melbourne Knights this season, unable to go on a run of wins more than two games this season which has been a trend for successful sides in the NPL. Despite this, the Knights sit comfortably in eighth position, nine points off Hume City who currently sit in the final NPL Finals position.
Although the Knights were dumped out of the Dockerty Cup (the Victorian Cup competition) in the semi final, they still have it all to play for when they compete in the FFA Cup. The boys from Somers Street qualified for the competition after defeating Port Melbourne 2-0, securing their second appearance on the national stage in three outings.
Who we should keep and eye on?
The Knights have been know to put out strong and experienced sides in the past but after a few seasons under the guidance of former club legend Andrew Marth, the boys from Knights Stadium have had a more youthful look.
In the attacking third, former youth player Stipo Andrijasevic runs the roost for the Knights with speed and strength that saw him perform with the Club under Joe Palatsides. Andrijasevic is partnered up front by former Wellington Phoenix winger Jason Hicks and Robbie Zadworny with the diminutive duo more than able to create damage on the wings.
Former A-League player Julius Davies also calls Knights Stadium home but much of their play comes through experienced midfielder and former FFV Gold Medalist Marijan Cvitkovic who has been a mainstay at the Knights for years.
Squad list as of last match against Bentleigh Greens:
Fraser CHALMERS (GK), Luke JURCIC, Ivan GRIGIC, James MCGARRY, Marijan CVITKOVIC, Caleb MIKULIC, Julius DAVIES, Jason HICKS, Stipo ANDRIJASEVIC, Tim PURCELL, Nick GLAVAN, Anthony KATIFORIS, Anthony DEZIC, Michael O’FARRELL, Jacob COLOSIMO, Robbie ZADWORNY
Who, what, when, when?
City take on Melbourne Knights on Tuesday 26 July at 7.30pm. Knights Stadium, Somers Street, North Sunshine.
Members will receive free entry to the match with their e-ticket. Prices for non-members are $10 for Adults and $5 for Juniors. Under 15 free.
