Melbourne Heart FC Head Coach John Aloisi and captain Harry Kewell have emphasised the Red and White are ready for tomorrow night’s blockbuster Melbourne Derby at Etihad Stadium.
Melbourne Heart FC Head Coach John Aloisi and captain Harry Kewell have emphasised the Red and White are ready for tomorrow night-s blockbuster Melbourne Derby at Etihad Stadium.
Kewell will make his competitive Melbourne Heart debut in tomorrow-s showdown, with the Round One Hyundai A-League match expected to draw a record derby crowd.
“I-m fully focussed on Melbourne Heart,” Kewell said. “Ok, it-s a derby, it-s my old team that I played for, but for me I-ll just push that aside and concentrate on doing my job.
“I-m not going to get too caught up in it – it-s another game for me and to go out there and win it, it would be something special.”
Kewell said he was excited to lead the Red and White out at Etihad Stadium, but wouldn-t be distracted by the occasion.
“It will be a great moment and I-ll cherish it forever, but like I said, once I get out there it-s game time.” Kewell said.
“Yes, I am wearing the armband, but like I-ve said before, I need 11 players out there to be captains and that-s what I-ll ask for and that-s what the team is ready for.”
Kewell said that the Melbourne Derby would take centre-stage in Round One.
“Hopefully it-s going to be a great atmosphere because it is the main game this weekend,” Kewell said.
Aloisi said he was as equally excited for the season to commence.
“It-s been a long off-season, but now it finally starts so all the boys are excited, the Club[‘s excited] and I-m sure the supporters are really excited,” Aloisi said.
“These are the games that everyone looks forward to – a big derby – and we just want to do well and get a good result for the supporters and everyone involved with Melbourne Heart.”
Match Details
Saturday, 12 October 2013
Melbourne Victory v Melbourne Heart FC
Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
Kick-off: 7:45pm AEDT (please note time change from original kick-off time of 7.30pm)
Referee: Peter Green
Assistant Referee 1: Brad Hobson
Assistant Referee 2: Luke Brennan
Fourth Official: Lucien Laverdure
TV Broadcast: 7.45pm (AEDT) Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1HD and Sky Sports 2 (New Zealand).
Radio Broadcast: 7.45pm (AEDT) Live coverage on 774 ABC Melbourne and SEN Radio (Melbourne)
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #MelbDerby
To purchase tickets visit www.aleague.com.au/tickets
Melbourne Victory Squad: 1. Nathan COE (GK), 2. Pablo CONTRERAS, 3. Adama TRAORE, 4.Nick ANSELL, 6. Leigh BROXHAM (c), 7. Gui FINKLER, 10. Archie THOMPSON, 11. Connor PAIN, 13. Andrew NABBOUT, 14. James TROISI, 15. Mitch NICHOLS, 16. Rashid MAHAZI, 17. Jimmy JEGGO, 20. Lawrence THOMAS, 22. Jesse MAKAROUNAS, 23. Adrian LEIJER, 24, Scott GALLOWAY. 25, Jason GERIA
*two to be omitted
Unavailable: 5. Mark MILLIGAN (international duty), 9. Kosta BARBAROUSES (international duty)
Melbourne Heart FC Squad: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 2. Jeremy WALKER, 3. Robbie WIELAERT, 5. Sam MITCHINSON, 6. Patrick GERHARDT, 7. Iain RAMSAY, 8. Massimo MURDOCCA, 10. Harry KEWELL (Captain), 14. Golgol MEBRAHTU, 15. David WILLIAMS, 16. Aziz BEHICH, 17. Jason HOFFMAN, 18. David VRANKOVIC, 20. Tando VELAPHI (GK), 22. Nick KALMAR, 23. Mate DUGANDZIC, 24. Patrick
KISNORBO, 25. Andrea MIGLIORINI ***Two to be Omitted**
Unavailable: 4. Orlando ENGELAAR (Fractured tibia – long-term), 9. Dylan MACALLISTER (Hamstring – 4-6 weeks), 11. Michael MIFSUD (International Duty), 13. Jonatan GERMANO (Hamstring – 3 weeks),
