Melbourne Heart FC has named its final squad for the second Melbourne Derby with Josip Skoko the notable absentee through injury.
Melbourne Heart FC has named its final squad for the second Melbourne Derby with Josip Skoko the notable absentee through injury.
John Aloisi though will return to the Heart squad after he was rested midweek against the Newcastle Jets to recover in time for the Melbourne Derby.
While the Socceroo legend trained during the week, Skoko was ultimately unable to regain fitness in time for the crucial match at AAMI Park tonight.
After impressing in his comeback match on Wednesday night, Victorian Kristian Sarkies has retained his spot in the 15-man squad, while Wayne Srhoj returns from suspension.
The hero of the inaugural Melbourne Derby, Aloisi was rested from Heart-s midweek match-up against the Jets in preparation for tomorrow night-s clash, and will be looking to provide the Red and White with an added cutting edge in front of goal.
Having featured and scored on sport-s grandest stage, the World Cup, Aloisi is all too familiar with the pressure of performing during the big occasion, and will seek to replicate his feats from October-s match-up against Victory, when he opened the scoring through a stellar bullet header.
Attacking options Alex Terra and Eli Babalj remain unavailable for selection due to injury, while Kamal Ibrahim and Ante Tomic were not selected for the extended 19-man squad.
Melbourne Heart FC v Melbourne Victory FC
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Saturday, 11 December 2010
Local kick-off time: 7.00pm
Referee: Chris Beath
Assistant referees: Shaun Evans and Luke Brennan
Fourth official: Kevin Docherty
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1, FS1 HD and Sky Sports 1 (NZ). Hyundai A-League partner is 774 ABC (Melbourne) and SEN. To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au.
Melbourne Heart FC squad: 1. Clint BOLTON, 2. Michael MARRONE, 4. Simon COLOSIMO, 5. Michael BEAUCHAMP, 6. Matt THOMPSON, 7. Rutger WORM, 8. Kristian SARKIES, 9. Gerald SIBON, 10. Wayne SRHOJ, 12. Peter ZOIS, 15. John ALOISI, 16. Aziz BEHICH, 17. Jason HOFFMAN, 22. Nick KALMAR, 25. Adrian ZAHRA
In: John ALOISI (promoted), Wayne SRHOJ (returns from suspension)
Out: Dean Heffernan (omitted), Brendan Hamill (omitted)
Unavailable: Alex TERRA (3 weeks – Hamstring), Eli BABALJ (4-6 weeks – Hip and Thigh)
