Ahead of Melbourne Heart FC’s pre-season hit-out against Hyundai A-League opponent Adelaide United on Friday afternoon, we take a look at a few interesting aspects of today’s match.
Ahead of Melbourne Heart FC-s pre-season hit-out against Hyundai A-League opponent Adelaide United on Friday afternoon, we take a look at a few interesting aspects of today-s match.
Dario Double Downs Heart
These two sides also met last pre-season – on 21 August 2012 – and a Dario Vidosic double gave Adelaide United a 2-1 win at Epping Soccer Stadium.
Golgol Mebrahtu struck Melbourne Heart-s goal in the 28th minute, either side of Vidosic-s 10th minute goal and 73rd minute penalty.
Melbourne Heart will hope to turn that result around today and secure a morale-boosting win against the South Australians.
Kisnorbo and Migliorini on show, Kewell and Mifsud rested
Recent signings Patrick Kisnorbo and Andrea Migliorini are likely to be on show against the Reds today, according to Melbourne Heart FC Head Coach John Aloisi.
“It will probably be the first time the supporters will be able to see Patrick Kisnorbo, one of our latest signings,” Aloisi said.
“He-s already played a couple of games and he-s looking good and excited to be here.”
Michael Mifsud, who has been put through his paces since arriving at the Red and White will be rested, alongside captain Harry Kewell, who will take time out after playing in a number of pre-season matches.
Migliorini is likely to play in his second match for the Red and White, after featuring as a triallist against Perth Glory during the Club-s pre-season camp.
Aloisi will also give youngsters Paul Retre and Marcus Schroen a run.
“We-ll give the opportunity to a couple of youth players who have impressed in pre-season training – Paul Retre and Marcus Schroen – I think it-s a good test for them to play A-League opposition,” Aloisi said.
Nick Kalmar and Robbie Wielaert won-t feature, but are likely to rejoin full training on Monday.
Ramsay to face Reds for first time
Melbourne Heart FC-s off-season recruit Iain Ramsay will face his old side this afternoon, if selected to play against Adelaide.
Heart-s new number 7 was swooped up from Adelaide in April this year and has had a solid pre-season, including a cracking goal against Victorian Premier League outfit Richmond.
Ramsay proved to be a thorn in Heart-s side last season, but will be looking to net for the Red and White against his former club.
First look at Gombau-led Adelaide
Today-s match may give Melbourne Heart an idea as to how Adelaide is shaping up for the new season under new Head Coach Josep Gombau who has promised to develop “beautiful football- in the City of Churches.
Gombau told AdelaideUnited.com.au that he would be using this afternoon-s game to close in on his final selections for Round One.
“Day by day we-re getting closer to knowing who will probably be in the starting eleven in Round 1,” Gombau said.
“We are close. Just two more games, two more weeks and day by day you have a clearer idea of what you want.”
Aloisi said he had been keeping a close eye on United during the pre-season and was expecting a good test at Epping Stadium.
“Adelaide United will be a good test – we saw a little bit of their game against Western Sydney [a 1-1 draw] last week, they keep the ball very well and they have some good experienced players… and also in the midfield they have a couple of Spanish players their coach has brought over,” Aloisi said.
Follow the game live on Twitter
You can follow today’s match on the Official Melbourne Heart FC Twitter Account from 3pm.
We will be using the hashtag #MHvREDS for game-related Tweets.
Tune in for live updates, team lists and important match events… or even better, head out to Epping Stadium and catch the Red and White in the flesh!
Watch ‘The State of Play from JA- above to get a rundown on today-s match and how the Red and White-s pre-season is progressing heading into Round One.
Match Details
Hyundai A-League Pre-Season Match
Friday 27 September 2013
Melbourne Heart FC
Adelaide United
Epping Soccer Stadium
Kick-Off: 3pm
