Melbourne Heart FC has named an extended 19-man squad for its upcoming Hyundai A-League Elimination Final against Perth Glory at nib Stadium on Sunday.
Melbourne Heart FC has named an extended 19-man squad for its upcoming Hyundai A-League Elimination Final against Perth Glory at nib Stadium on Sunday.
With the side set to return to the training track for one final session tomorrow, Head Coach John van ‘t Schip has opted to provide his charges with one more day to press their claims for selection ahead of a historic weekend for the Melbourne club.
David Williams, Jason Hoffman, Craig Goodwin and Kristian Sarkies are the names added to the 15 who faced Adelaide United last week, offering van ‘t Schip greater variety both in midfield and attack.
However, given van ‘t Schip-s penchant for rewarding players for featuring in a positive display, they face an uphill battle to force their way into the reckoning in time to earn a seat on the plane to Adelaide.
Each though can mount a genuine case to feature in the Heart side, providing unique capabilities which unquestionably emphasise the outstanding depth present in van ‘t Schip-s squad.
Williams, 24, provides an x-factor of sorts, with his speed, creativity and eye for goal his most notable attributes.
While the two-time Socceroo hasn-t necessarily enjoyed the most fruitful of campaigns, his talent remains undoubted, if untapped, this season.
Fellow attacker Hoffman meanwhile has been a regular feature of Heart-s match day squad-s, with his energy and drive off the bench offering the side necessary spark in the latter stage of contests.
Having impressed with the Australian Under 23s in recent times, Hoffman has earned his place in van ‘t Schip-s deliberations through hard work and sheer perseverance.
Goodwin and Sarkies offer van ‘t Schip with alternatives out wide or in the centre of midfield respectively, with the former forced out of the starting eleven by virtue of Aziz Behich-s storming form, recently recognised by his peers with selection to the PFAs- A-League Team of the Year.
In Sarkies, Heart has a ready-made winner boasting finals experience of the finals calibre, and a pedigree for success at the highest level.
Having played in a championship winning team at Heart-s cross town rivals, in addition to featuring significantly in Adelaide United-s run to the AFC Champions League final in 2008, Sarkies knows what it takes to play under pressure, and his creativity and guile will no doubt be a boon to the side.
Winger Adrian Zahra is the only player unavailable for selection after suffering a quad strain during training last week.
Melbourne Heart squad: 1.Clint Bolton (GK), 2.Michael Marrone, 3.Brendan Hamill, 4.Simon Colosimo, 5.Fred ©, 6.Matt Thompson, 7.Rutger Worm, 8.Kristian Sarkies, 10.Wayne Srhoj, 11.Alex Terra, 13.Jonatan Germano, 15.David Williams, 16.Aziz Behich, 17.Jason Hoffman, 18.Curtis Good, 19.Eli Babalj, 23.Mate Dugandzic, 27.Craig Goodwin, 30.Sebastian Mattei (GK) *four to be omitted*
Coach: John van ‘t Schip
In: Kristian Sarkies, David Williams, Jason Hoffman, Craig Goodwin (all promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Adrian Zahra (1 week – quad)
