City Insider - City v Perth - Sunday 3 March

CITY INSIDER

ROUND 21

v PERTH GLORY

SUNDAY 3 MARCH, 5.00PM

CITY INSIDER SUNDAY 3 MARCH

MELBOURNE CITY v PERTH GLORY

CAPTAIN’S MESSAGE WITH FOUR OF OUR LAST FIVE GAMES PLAYED ON THE ROAD, WE RETURN HOME DETERMINED TO BOUNCE BACK TO WINNING WAYS AGAINST THE LEAGUE LEADERS. It’s been a few weeks since our last home match and I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all of your support.

The past few months have been challenging for everybody; the manager, the players and staff. A lot of questions have been asked of us as a playing group and a club but we've remained together and will continue to do so throughout.

We are all now looking forward in search of our next piece of silverware and the next step in establishing ourselves to become serial winners.

We can only do that with your support, the City faithful.

On the pitch, it’s been a tough month but we’re all very excited with the way Jamie and Shay have integrated into the group. It’s rare to see players slot in so seamlessly and start so positively – Jamie is today aiming to score in his fourth consecutive match today to equal an A-League record. He’s a Melbourne boy and proud of it so seeing him score in last week’s derby was brilliant.

Despite being on enemy territory last Saturday night against our rivals, seeing City Blue in the stands and hearing your voice from the City corner, inspired us to keep pushing for the result.We were disappointed with the final result there’s no doubt about that – and I thought we were the dominant side on the night but we’ll keep pushing into a crucial stage of the season.

After a strong week on the track, we’re ready to bounce back and there’s no better challenge than testing ourselves against league leaders, Perth Glory. There’s no doubt that three points against the league leaders on home soil will kick-start the finals run-in.

We are determined to push for the three points against Perth and make a statement to the competition. We know it won’t be easy, but together, with you – the City fans – we’re confident we can get a result and build up to a big finish.

Scott Jamieson Melbourne City FC captain

GAME AHEAD OF THE

PROUD SUPPORTERS OF MELBOURNE CITY FC

OFFICIAL PARTNER

MELBOURNE CITY v PERTH GLORY

CITY INSIDER SUNDAY 3 MARCH

CITY TEST

AGAINST THE BEST MELBOURNE CITY FC WILL BE LOOKING TO MAKE A STATEMENT TONIGHT AS THEY FACE RUNAWAY LEAGUE LEADERS PERTH IN A CRUCIAL CLASH FOR THE HOSTS. Warren Joyce's side comes off a 1-1 draw with Melbourne Victory in the third and final Melbourne Derby of the regular season.

After a cagey opening 15 minutes, the game turned in City’s favour. Jamie Maclaren was through on goal before being fouled in the area by Georg Niedermeier, who consequently received his marching orders.

Maclaren made no mistake, firing the ball into the back of the net in the 16th minute.

City continued to press, looking to extend their advantage. Twice denied by the woodwork, following long range attempts from Rostyn Griffiths and Luke Brattan. City were forced to pay for their missed opportunities as

Kosta Barbarouses made it 1-1 with a cross turned shot. With 13 shots to Victory’s one, it was a tale of missed opportunities as City were forced to settle for a draw. With no time to dwell on the result, City will be in search of the three points when they take on Perth Glory this weekend. It’s a clash that won’t be easy against the ladder leaders, but a crucial game with seven rounds left to play in the 2018/19 Hyundai A-League season.

Glory Head Coach Tony Popovic and his men will be equally as determined to return to winning ways following

ONE TO WATCH

Tarek Elrich’s late heroics for the Wanderers.

Perth took an early lead as inform attacker Chris Ikonomidis finished from close range in the 23rd minute, before Elrich struck for Western Sydney in the 90+5th minute to secure a share of the spoils with a curling effort from range.

Suffering just one defeat this season, eight points clear at the top of the ladder, Perth have demonstrated why they are the team to beat this season.

LAST A-LEAGUE RESULT

OPPOSITION FOCUS

DIEGO CASTRO Since his arrival in August 2015, Perth attacker Diego Castro has led the way as one of the competition’s most technically gifted footballers. Taking out the Johnny Warren Medal in his debut season, the Spanish attacker has showcased his ability to perform at the highest level consistently. The 36-yearold has played 13 games in 2018/19, registering four goals and three assists. With three goals scored off his right boot and one with his head, Castro’s versatility in front of goal has been on display. The Spaniard has also played 26 key passes, demonstrating his ability to create chances for his teammates.

14

GOALS FOR

43

1

PERTH GLORY

1

A-League 2018/19 – Round 20 Sunday 24 February, 2019 Spotless Stadium

LAST TIME WE MET

KEY STATS - PERTH GLORY A-LEAGUE SEASON 2018/19 GAMES WON

WESTERN SYDNEY

GOALS AGAINST

18

MELBOURNE CITY

0

PERTH GLORY

0

A-League 2018/19 – Round 14 Sunday 19 January, 2019 AAMI Park

A4 POSTER 1/2

A4 POSTER 2/2

g e n e r a la d mi s s i o nme mb e r sn o r t hs t a n do n l y

CITY INSIDER SUNDAY 3 MARCH

MELBOURNE CITY v PERTH GLORY

SHAY SAYS G'DAY IN JANUARY, CITY SIGNED ONE OF TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR’S BRIGHTEST YOUNG TALENTS, SHAYON HARRISON AND SINCE ARRIVING IN MELBOURNE, THE 21-YEAR-OLD HAS WASTED NO TIME MAKING HIS IMPACT FELT IN THE A-LEAGUE. Before joining City, where he looks to take the next step in his professional football career, Harrison impressed for Spurs’ Premier League 2 side (50 appearances), Yeovil Town (15 appearances) and Southend United (13 appearances). The youngster has also enjoyed a taste of the action at the highest level, coming on for Tottenham’s senior side in an English Football League Cup clash with Liverpool FC at Anfield, as well as having trained with the English squad ahead of the UEFA Euro 2016 tournament.

Following his arrival in Melbourne, the exciting attacker opened up on the challenges that come with moving across the world to pursue your football career.

“It’s a big challenge for me coming so far away from home,” Harrison said. “I know the A-League is a very physical league, so I’m really excited to play men’s football.

“I’m looking forward to working with and learning from somebody as highly regarded as Warren. The standards he drives at the Club and shares with players and coaches will help me in my development as a footballer.”

Harrison got off to a flying start in City blue, showcasing his raw speed and exquisite foot work in an impressive 90-minute debut against Adelaide United in front of the home fans. After the match, Head Coach Warren Joyce

praised the Englishman’s potential.

“I have worked with young players a lot. You can put high demands on them but a big bit for him is you don’t know how much he can achieve,” Joyce said.

“I think it’s limitless. When you are a kid, very quickly you can turn things around, and if you have got that about of talent he’s got.

“Harry Kane, Jesse Lingard had loan spells where they were both doing all right, doing not so great, you speak to people at different clubs and they were not doing that well there. But then all the things add up and somewhere down the line things click into place with the good habits they have been taught and being at the right place at the right time, and they can go through the roof.

During his first three games in City blue, Harrison has already showcased glimpses of the talent he possesses. His speed combined with his quick feet has seen him make eight successful dribbles, while he has also played four key passes, demonstrating his ability to create chances for his teammates.

After three starts in his new colours, the attacker will be looking to build on his performances City play host to Perth Glory on Sunday afternoon.

KEY STATS - SHAYON HARRISON A-LEAGUE SEASON 2018/19

MATCHES PLAYED

3

SHOTS

3

KEY PASSES

4

PASS SUCCESS

77%

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2018/19

A-LEAGUE FIXTURES Round 1 Melbourne Victory 1 Melbourne City 2

Round 2 CC Mariners 1 Melbourne City 1

Round 3 Melbourne City 0 Sydney FC 3

Round 4 Melbourne City 2 Wellington Phoenix 0

Round 5 Brisbane Roar 2 Melbourne City 0

Round 6 Melbourne City 3 Newcastle Jets 0

Round 7 Perth Glory 1 Melbourne City 0

Round 8 Adelaide United 0 Melbourne City 2

Round 9 Melbourne City 1 Melbourne Victory 1

Round 10 Western Sydney 0 Melbourne City 2

Round 11 Melbourne City 2 Newcastle Jets 1

Round 12 Melbourne City 1 Brisbane Roar 0

Round 13 Central Coast 2 Melbourne City 1

Round 14 Melbourne City 0 Perth Glory 0

Round 15 Melbourne City 4 Western Sydney 3

Round 16 Wellington Phoenix 1 Melbourne City 0

Round 17 Sydney FC 2 Melbourne City 0

Round 18 Melbourne City 1 Adelaide United 1

Round 19 Newcastle Jets 3 Melbourne City 1

Round 20 Melbourne Victory 1 Melbourne City 1

Round 21 Sun 3 Mar, 5.00pm AAMI Park

Round 22 Sun 17 Mar, 7.00pm Leichhardt Oval

Round 23 Sat 30 Mar, 7.50pm ANZ Stadium

Round 24 Friday 5 Apr, 7.50pm AAMI Park

Round 25 Sat 13 Apr, 5.35pm AAMI Park

Round 26 Sun 21 Apr, 5.00pm Westpac Stadium

Round 27 Fri 26 Apr, 7.50pm AAMI Park

All times are AEST. Fixtures subject to change.

MELBOURNE CITY v PERTH GLORY

CITY INSIDER SUNDAY 3 MARCH

NPL VICTORIA ON THE AGENDA MELBOURNE CITY FC HAS KICKED-OFF ITS NPL VICTORIA SEASON WITH TWO WINS AND NINE GOALS AS OUR YOUTH SIDE COMMENCES ITS FIFTH YEAR IN VICTORIA'S SECOND TIER.

NPL FIXTURES FC BULLEEN LIONS, MON 4 MAR, VENETO CLUB, 8.30PM SPRINGVALE WE, SAT 9 MAR, CFA MELBOURNE, 3PM BOX HILL UNITED, SAT 16 MAR, WEMBLEY PARK, 5PM MORELAND ZEBRAS, SAT 23 MAR, CFA MELBOURNE, 3PM GV SUNS, SAT 30 MAR, CFA MELBOURNE, 3.00PM MANNINGHAM UTD, SAT 6 APR, VENETO CLUB, 4PM EASTERN LIONS, SAT 13 APR, CFA MELBOURNE, 3PM NORTH GEELONG, SAT 27 APR, ELCHO PARK, 3PM NORTHCOTE CITY, SAT 4 MAY, JOHN CAIN RESERVE, 3PM MORELAND CITY, SUN 12 MAY, CFA MELBOURNE, 3PM WERRIBEE CITY, SAT 18 MAY, GALVIN PARK, 3PM ST ALBANS SAINTS, SAT 25 MAY, CHURCHILL RESERVE, 3PM GEELONG SC, SUN 2 JUN, CFA MELBOURNE, 3PM MELBOURNE VICTORY, SUN 9 JUN, EPPING STADIUM, 3PM LANGWARRIN SC, SUN 16 JUN, CFA MELBOURNE, 3PM MURRAY UNITED, SAT 22 JUN, LTU ALBURY-WODONGA, 3PM BRUNSWICK CITY, SUN 30 JUN, CFA MELBOURNE, 3PM FC BULLEEN LIONS, SUN 7 JUL, CFA MELBOURNE, 3PM SPRINGVALE WE, SAT 13 JUL, SERBIAN SPORTS CENTRE, 3PM BOX HILL UNITED, SUN 21 JUL, CFA MELBOURNE, 3PM GV SUNS, SAT 27 JUL, MCEWEN RESERVE, 7PM BALLARAT CITY, SUN 4 AUG, CFA MELBOURNE, 3PM WHITTLESEA RANGES, SAT 17 AUG, EPPING STADIUM, 3PM MANNINGHAM UTD, SAT 24 AUG, CFA MELBOURNE, 3PM EASTERN LIONS, SAT 31 AUG, GARDINERS CREEK RES, 3PM NORTHCOTE CITY, SAR 7 SEP, CFA MELBOURNE, 3PM

Melbourne City FC has kicked off the NPL2 season with maximum points claimed by both the Seniors and U20s in the opening two fixtures.

Head Coach Joe Palatsides’ side continued their winning streak in Round 2, defeating Murray United 6-2 at La Trobe University on Saturday afternoon.

City attacker Connor Metcalfe opened the scoring in the ninth minute, before Murray hit back within seconds. Despite surrendering their early lead, City fought back and were eventually rewarded when Moudi Najjar finished truly, finding the bottom corner of the net on the stroke of half-time.

Two minutes into the second-half the entertainment of the first-half continued, as Murray United were awarded a spot kick following Majak Mawith’s challenge in the area. The initial spot kick was cannoned into the cross bar, before Murray captain Ashley Dunn made sure of the follow up, hammering it home.

With the scores tied at 2-2, City produced a blistering last 20 minutes of play to run over their opponents and secure the three points and finish the round on top of the league standings. Ramy Najjarine made it 3-2 in the 70th minute, turning on a dime in the box before finishing truly. 10 minutes later, Dylan Pierias made it 4-2 with an impressive solo effort.

With 10 minutes to play, second-half substitute Gianluca Iannucci again proved to be the super sub with two quick-fire assists. The attacker first slipped the ball through to Stefan Colakovski, who threaded the ball through the smallest of margins to extend City’s lead.

An impressive build up in the midfield, which included a string of one-touch passes was then capped off by Ramy Najjarine, who headed home from close range after meeting Iannucci’s perfectly weighted cross.

City will be looking to extend their perfect starts to the season when they take on FC Bulleen Lions at the Veneto Club on Monday 4 March. The U20s kick-off at 6:30pm, before the Seniors battle it out at 8:30pm.

CITY INSIDER SUNDAY 3 MARCH

MATCH SQUADS

MELBOURNE CITY v PERTH GLORY

MELBOURNE CITY FC

PERTH GLORY

HEAD COACH: WARREN JOYCE

HEAD COACH: TONY POPOVIC

1 18 42

MARK BIRIGHITTI EUGENE GALEKOVIC JAMES DELIANOV

2 3 4 5 13 22 25 36

RITCHIE DE LAET SCOTT JAMIESON HARRISON DELBRIDGE BART SCHENKEVELD NATHANIEL ATKINSON CURTIS GOOD IACOPO LA ROCCA DYLAN PIERIAS

7 8 10 15 21 26 34 38

ROSTYN GRIFFITHS RILEY MCGREE DARIO VIDOSIC KEARYN BACCUS RAMY NAJJARINE LUKE BRATTAN CONNOR METCALFE JOSH CAVALLO

9 19 27 29 30 37

SHAYON HARRISON LACHLAN WALES FLORIN BERENGUER JAMIE MACLAREN MOUDI NAJJAR GIANLUCA IANNUCCI

ROUND 22 SATURDAY 16 MARCH KICK-OFF 7.00PM LEICHHARDT OVAL

FOLLOW US

MELBOURNE CITY FC

1 33

TANDO VELAPHI LIAM REDDY

2 3 4 5 6 13 16

ALEX GRANT JASON DAVIDSON SHANE LOWRY IVAN FRANJIC DINO DJULBIC MATTHEW SPIRANOVIC TOMISLAV MRCELA

15 17 19 20 21 22 27 88

BRANDON WILSON DIEGO CASTRO CHRIS IKONOMIDIS JAKE BRIMMER JACOB ITALIANO FABIO FERREIRA JUANDE NEIL KILKENNY

7 9 11 14

JOEL CHIANESE ANDY KEOGH BRENDON SANTALAB CHRIS HAROLD

ROUND 23 SATURDAY 30 MARCH KICK-OFF 7.50PM ANZ STADIUM

@MELBOURNECITY

ROUND 24 FRIDAY 5 APRIL KICK-OFF 7.50PM AAMI PARK

@MELBOURNECITY