Melbourne Heart FC will seek to bounce back from the disappointment of last week’s loss to the Central Coast Mariners when the side faces the Wellington Phoenix in Morwell on Sunday.
Melbourne Heart v Wellington Phoenix
Sunday, 4 December
Venue: La Trobe City Stadium Morwell
Local Kick Off: 3:00pm
Melbourne Heart FC will seek to bounce back from the disappointment of last week-s loss to the Central Coast Mariners when the side faces the Wellington Phoenix in Morwell on Sunday.
The only Hyundai A-League match ever to be staged in regional Victoria, the week nine fixture will see the Latrobe City Stadium host elite level football for the first time in nearly a decade.
As the former home of the Gippsland Falcons, Latrobe City Stadium is a venue steeped in Australian football history, a proving ground for Socceroos of the calibre of Archie Thompson, Scott McDonald and Eugene Galekovic.
While the Falcons exited the national fray in 2001, Gippsland-s rich football culture and heritage remains, allowing this weekend-s fixture to act as a celebration of the round ball in Victoria-s South-East.
Unbeaten in three matches, Wellington will provide a stern test for the Red and White, with a win set to propel either side into the top four.
With only two points separating third from ninth, almost every game in the competition this season is a proverbial six-pointer, making victory paramount.
Recent Results
24 November 2010 – Wellington Phoenix 2 – Melbourne Heart FC 0 @ Westpac Stadium
17 November 2010 – Wellington Phoenix 2 – Melbourne Heart FC 2 @ Westpac Stadium
19 September 2010 – Melbourne Heart FC 2 Wellington Phoenix 1@ AAMI Park
Danger Man
Paul Ifill – One of the leading creative forces in the competition, Paul Ifill has rediscovered the form of old in recent weeks, dazzling with his dynamism and strength.
Fact of the Week
Melbourne Heart FC currently sits bottom of the Hyundai A-League in completed passes this season, with 1910.
Squad
Melbourne Heart FC Squad: 1.Clint Bolton (gk), 2.Michael Marrone, 3.Brendan Hamill, 5.Fred ©, 6.Matt Thompson, 7.Rutger Worm, 8.Kristian Sarkies, 9.Maycon, 11.Alex Terra, 13.Jonatan Germano, 15.David Williams, 16.Aziz Behich, 17.Jason Hoffman, 18.Curtis Good, 19.Eli Babalj, 23.Mate Dugandzic, 25.Adrian Madaschi, 30.Sebastian Mattei (gk) *three to be omitted*
Wellington Phoenix Squad: 1. Mark Paston (gk), 2. Manny Muscat, 3. Tony Lochhead, 6. Tim Brown, 7. Leo Bertos, 8. Paul Ifill, 9. Chris Greenacre, 11. Daniel, 12. Nicky Ward, 14, Mirjan Pavlovic, 17. Vince Lia, 18. Ben Sigmund, 20, Tony Warner (gk), 21. Dani Sanchez, 22. Andrew Durante (c).
