A-League preview Round 13: Road to redemption for Melbourne City’s banned Olyroos duo Nathaniel Atkinson and Lachie Wales
Melbourne City pair Nathaniel Atkinson and Lachie Wales can cure their Olyroos bans by cementing their first XI spots at the club. Plus, Melbourne Victory’s must-win clash in David Davutovic’s Round 13 preview.
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Suspended Olyroos Nathaniel Atkinson and Lachie Wales have the chance to entrench themselves in the Melbourne City team while their international teammates tackle operation Tokyo 2020.
Wales, Atkinson, Riley McGree (Adelaide United) and Brandon Wilson (Perth Glory) were banned following a scandal in Cambodia in March.
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City quartet Tom Glover, Connor Metcalfe, Denis Genreau and Ramy Najjarine were part of the 23-man Olyroos squad that left on Monday for the Tokyo 2020 qualifiers, which start with Wednesday’s clash against tournament host Thailand.
McGree, whom Ange Postecoglou called up to his squad in March 2017, is closest to a Socceroos cap, having netted six goals this season from midfield, but Atkinson and Wilson were firmly on Graham Arnold’s radar when he took over from Postecoglou as national coach in 2018.
Both have struggled for A-League opportunities this season.
While Arnold expected better behaviour from the quartet, suspended after an incident involving a woman during the first round of Olympic qualifiers, he said there would be no repercussions when it came to potential Socceroos selection.
“No, I’ve never been one to hold grudges in my life, so no chance,” Arnold, who also coaches the Olyroos, said.
“The suspensions are what they are. There is a culture within the organisation that needs to be upheld. When you put on the national team shirt, you expect top behaviour.”
Atkinson could keep his City spot against Western United after making his first start last week.
Wales could make his first start since November 8.
ROUND 13 PREVIEW
MELBOURNE CITY v WESTERN UNITED
AAMI Park, Friday, 7.30pm
TAB Odds: City $1.80, Draw $3.80, United $4.20
DAVUTOVIC’S VERDICT: 1-1 DRAW
This game could be season-defining as second spot is at stake for the stumbling local clubs.
City let a golden chance slip away to Sydney FC, losing 2-1 after playing with an extra man for 65 minutes, off the back of a horrid derby display. Western United copped a 3-1 wake-up call against Wellington Phoenix at Ballarat last Saturday.
Both clubs will make changes. Goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis will reclaim City’s No.1 shirt from Olyroo Tom Glover, while Uruguayan Adrian Luna could replace another Olyroos departure, Connor Metcalfe, in midfield. Javier Cabrera is in doubt and Lachie Wales is on standby.
United should regain Josh Risdon and Panagiotis Kone from injury. Centre-back depth will be tested after Brendan Hamill and Aaron Calver were injured last week and Connor Chapman released to South Korea. Ersan Gulum may return.
MELBOURNE VICTORY v NEWCASTLE JETS
AAMI Park, Sunday, 6.30pm
TAB Odds: Victory $2, Draw $3.50, Jets $3.60
DAVUTOVIC’S VERDICT: VICTORY 2-1
If it is going to cause any ripples this season, Melbourne Victory must beat bottom-placed Newcastle Jets.
Socceroos Robbie Kruse and Andrew Nabbout must step up as Swede Ola Toivonen, who netted both goals in the win against Melbourne City, is suspended.
Austrian Kristijan Dobras is in line to replace him. Victory is yet to win successive games this season, highlighting the inconsistent campaign of new coach Marco Kurz.
Defender Tommy Deng, who has missed the past month, is out on Olyroos duty. But the stellar starting debut of German stopper Tim Hoogland against City and Victory’s more attacking approach bode well.
While Victory should be refreshed after its bye, the Jets will want to atone after conceding a late equaliser to Brisbane Roar. World Cup Socceroo Dimi Petratos netted for Ernie Merrick’s men.
OTHER GAMES
WELLINGTON PHOENIX v CENTRAL COAST
Westpac Stadium, Saturday, 5pm
TAB Odds: Phoenix $1.68, Draw $4.20, Mariners $4.50
SYDNEY FC v ADELAIDE UNITED
Jubilee Stadium, Saturday, 7.30pm
TAB Odds: Sky Blues $1.90, Draw $3.50, Adelaide $4
A-LEAGUE LADDER
1. Sydney FC 11:9-1-1 +15 28pts
2. Melbourne City 11:6-1-4 +4 19pts
3. Perth Glory 11:5-3-3 +9 18pts
4. Western United* 12:5-2-5 0 17pts
5. Adelaide United 10:5-0-5 +2 15pts
6. Wellington Phoenix 11:4-3-4 +1 15pts
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7. Western Sydney 11:4-2-5 -3 14pts
8. Melbourne Victory 11:3-3-5 -4 12pts
9. Central Coast Mariners 9:3-1-6 -8 10pts
10. Brisbane Roar* 10:2-3-5 -6 9pts
11. Newcastle Jets 10:2-3-5 -10 9pts
* Played last night