A-League preview: Latest round of men’s fixtures previewed
Want to catapult your name into the spotlight? Here’s your chance, according to former Socceroo John Aloisi. Plus, the full preview for each match in the A-League Men.
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Young Australian stars will have the opportunity to shine on “a global stage” if they get picked to take on Barcelona, with international focus raising the stakes for the A-League All Stars game next month.
Western United boss and former Socceroos John Aloisi, whose penalty sent Australia to the World Cup on the same pitch as the All Stars will play, said taking on the Spanish stars would be “an education” for some of the best young talent in the country.
With A-League bosses believed to be in talks to appoint a “high-profile” figure as coach of the All Stars against Barcelona on May 25 at Accor Stadium, Aloisi said the game would shine a light on the level of ability available here – as well as give fans the chance to see Barcelona in action.
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Aloisi believes the potential will be there to follow the example of former Melbourne Victory midfielder Billy Celeski - whose displays for the first All Stars team against Manchester United in 2013, and for Victory against Liverpool a few days later, sparked an overseas move that earned him a $500,000 contract, and several further lucrative moves.
BELOW: EVERY FIXTURE FOR THE LATEST A-LEAGUE ROUND
While details of how the All Stars team will be chosen have yet to be released, Aloisi said players would relish the opportunity to tackle a side like Barcelona.
“You’re coming up against the best in the world, and if you do well it can have huge ramifications,” said Aloisi.
“There’ll be global interest just because it’s Barca – people want to watch them wherever they play.
“So it’s a great opportunity for players to test themselves, and a great experience to understand what goes into that elite level of football.
“If you have ambitions to play overseas, well here is what that means at the very top. It’ll be an education to take on one of the hardest teams to tackle just because they keep the ball for fun.
“Some of the players who you’d think might be involved will have got a taste of this against Spain at the Olympics, but seeing the whole Barca team up close gives you the benchmark for what top European football is about.”
As one of the few Australians to have played in Spain, Aloisi said the influx of Spanish players to the league in recent seasons had already sparked interest in their homeland.
“The A-League has a bit of a focus there already as we’ve had players like Diego Castro come here, players who had a profile in La Liga. But it’ll be even more so with Barcelona coming here for the first time, and it’s a good challenge for our young players in particular to show they can thrive in that spotlight.”
FRIDAY (APRIL 15)
Macarthur FC v Brisbane Roar
Campbelltown Stadium
Kick-off: 7.45pm AEST
TV: P+
Odds: Macarthur $2.25, Draw $3.45, Brisbane $3.05
Macarthur are flirting with the reality of finishing outside the top six, with a number of teams in the bottom half of the table closing in on the finals slots heading into the weekend. The Bulls lost 1-0 to Adelaide United last time out; Ante Milicic’s side has now won just one game in five ahead of their clash with the Roar.
Brisbane held the high-flying Melbourne Victory to a goalless draw in midweek - a commendable result, however captain Jay O’Shea said post-match the point meant little as his side chase wins in each of their remaining games to make a late grab at a spot in the top six.
SATURDAY
Western United v Perth Glory
UTAS Stadium
Kick-off: 5.05pm AEST
TV: P+
Odds: Western $1.53, Draw $4.00, Perth $6.25
Western United travel to Tasmania on Saturday for the first of two home games in quick succession in the state, beginning with a clash against bottom-placed Perth Glory.
Western are reeling from a 4-1 home defeat to Wellington Phoenix which put a dent in their title credentials. But with league leaders Melbourne City venturing to Thailand for the start of their AFC Asian Champions League campaign, the time is now for John Aloisi’s side to string together a run of wins in City’s absence to occupy top spot by the time they return in early May.
Newcastle Jets v Melbourne Victory
McDonald Jones Stadium
Kick-off: 7.45pm AEST
TV: P+, Network 10
Odds: Newcastle $2.80, Draw $3.45, Victory $2.40
Melbourne Victory’s resounding Melbourne Derby win last weekend ignited their push for the Premiers Plate - but a goalless draw at home against the Roar in midweek doused the flames. Now Tony Popovic’s side must bounce back on the road against a Newcastle Jets side benefiting from extended breaks between games.
For the second week in a row, Newcastle have benefited from a full week of preparation for an A-League Men’s fixture unhindered by a midweek game. Last weekend the Jets pumped Perth Glory 6-1, and will feel confident of playing the same attacking, energetic brand of football against Victory this time around.
SUNDAY
Wellington Phoenix v Central Coast Mariners
Sky Stadium
Kick-off: 1.05pm AEST
TV: P+
Odds: Wellington $2.25, Draw $3.50, Mariners $2.95
At long last, the Phoenix return to Wellington. It’s the first game on home soil of the season for the ‘Nix, with travel restrictions between Australia and New Zealand lifting in time for the club to schedule its long-awaited return to Sky Stadium.
Last season a similar event occurred, with Ufuk Talay’s side coming home to dominate Western United in a 3-0 win 433 days on from their last game in Wellington.
The ‘Nix last played on home soil in May, 2021 - 322 days prior to this weekend’s clash with Central Coast Mariners, who travel to Sky Stadium eager to spoil the party.
TUESDAY
Western United v Macarthur FC
UTAS Stadium
Kick-off: 5.05pm AEST
TV: P+
The second of two consecutive games in Tasmania for Western United kicks off on Tuesday night, with Macarthur the travelling side.
This is the fifth meeting between the two youngest clubs in the league. It’s a fixture in which the Bulls have enjoyed success thus far, winning twice and drawing once in four league fixtures against Western (one loss).
WEDNESDAY
Western Sydney Wanderers v Newcastle Jets
CommBank Stadium
Kick-off: 7.05pm AEST
TV: P+
Throughout Western Sydney’s 10-year history, there’s been nothing to separate them from the Jets. In 27 meetings between these two teams, there have been nine draws, and nine wins to both the Jets and Wanderers.
On Wednesday night these two sides face off for the third time this season. The first encounter finished all square in an entertaining 2-2 draw, with Jets midfielder Angus Thurgate deciding the second with the only goal in a 1-0 Newcastle triumph.
Originally published as A-League preview: Latest round of men’s fixtures previewed
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