The Clash
The magic of the cup has come around again as Melbourne City kicks-off it’s 2018 campaign with a tough trip to Brisbane to take on the Roar.
In what will be Melbourne City’s first competitive match of the 2018/19 season, Warren Joyce’s side will be looking to make a mark on the competition it took out in 2016 as it seeks to be the only club to claim its second FFA Cup trophy alongside the likes of Adelaide United, Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC.
Brisbane will be a familiar foe for City as the Roar’s last competitive match during the 2017/18 season was the Elimination Final loss at AAMI Park in April. Expect a fired up Brisbane on Tuesday night as they look to bounce back in the cup competition, a tournament they have only gone as far as the Round of 16 in since its inception.
City’s trip to India saw two contrasting results however Joyce would have taken positives out of both contests as they look to prepare for the FFA Cup. The positive performances of new signings Riley McGree, Lachlan Wales and Michael O’Halloran caught the eye of City fans and they will be continuing their battle for a starting position ahead of the upcoming season.
It’s a ‘win and your through, lose and you are out’ situation on Tuesday night so expect fireworks at Dolphin Stadium.
Team News
Warren Joyce has named his 25-man extended squad for the contest, his second foray into the FFA Cup competition as Melbourne City Head Coach.
1.Dean BOUZANIS (gk), 3. Scott JAMIESON, 4. Harrison DELBRIDGE, 5.Bart SCHENKEVELD, 6.Osama MALIK, 7.Rostyn GRIFFTHS, 8.Riley McGREE, 10.Dario VIDOSIC, 11.Michael O’HALLORAN, 13.Nathaniel ATKINSON, 17.Anthony CACERES, 18. Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 19.Lachlan WALES, 23.Bruno FORNAROLI, 25.Iacopo LA ROCCA, 26. Luke BRATTAN, 30. Moudi NAJJAR, 34.Connor METCALFE, 35. Ramy NAJJARINE, 36.Dylan PIERIAS, 37.Gianluca IANNUCCI, 38.Josh CAVALLO, 39.Anthony LESIOTIS, 42.James DELIANOV, 48.Mitch Graham
Last time they met
It was April’s Elimination Final that the two teams last went head to head and it was a dominant performance from City who never looked troubled throughout the contest. Goals to Nick Fitzgerald and new Brisbane signing Stefan Mauk secured the 2-0 result at AAMI Park as Joyce’s side marched onto the A-League Semi Final
What was said
Head Coach Warren Joyce
“We’re looking forward to it. It’s a tough game first out, a Brisbane side away, but everyone is looking forward to the game.
“It’s a new season, everybody starts a new season fresh and I think they’ll be no different to us in that respect.”
Brisbane Roar Head Coach John Aloisi
“We know they’ll be ready when they play us in the Cup.
“But our focus will be more on ourselves and ensuring we’re ready for them.”
Where and when
Melbourne City take on Brisbane Roar at Dolphin Stadium in Redcliffe on Tuesday 7 August, kick-off 7.30pm. You can catch all the action on FOX Sports’ on demand service. Details on how you can stream the match can be found here.
