A-Leagues preview: Melbourne City striker Jamie Maclaren to play one day after his wedding
Some questioned his commitment to the Socceroos after he withdrew from a recent qualifier, but there’s no doubting Jamie Maclaren’s dedication to Melbourne City. FULL PREVIEW.
Melbourne City and Socceroos striker Jamie Maclaren will line up for his club on Saturday, just 24 hours after tying the knot.
City coach Patrick Kisnorbo will also have returning Socceroos Marco Tilio and Connor Metcalfe available for Saturday’s clash against Wellington Phoenix at Sydney’s Shark Park, along with classy Portuguese defender Nuno Reiss.
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Maclaren’s wedding with long-time partner Iva Arapovic has become one of the highest-profile matrimonies in Australian sport, after ex-Socceroos Luke Wilkshire and Archie Thompson questioned his decision to bypass the FIFA World Cup qualifier away to Saudi Arabia.
Covid has twice caused 11th hour postponements of his wedding in 2020 and 2021, with his jam-packed schedule for club – City has also qualified for the Asian Champions League – and country leaving him with few options.
And he is unlikely to be last man standing on his big day despite the two-year delay, with Maclaren determined to prove a point and secure the A-League golden boot.
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City football chiefs backed Maclaren, declaring he was 100 per cent committed to club and country, with his an A-League title and the Socceroos’ June World Cup playoffs against the UAE and potentially Peru.
“He always has been committed to the Socceroos shirt and the club and he’s come back with a real focus to do as well as he can for us and still has ambition to play for the Socceroos,” City football chief Michael Petrillo said.
“There is no doubt that some of the criticism he wasn’t happy with, but in terms of training and the way he went about things there was nothing different.
“He’s got a game to play Saturday, whilst it’s his wedding, he’s conscious of the fact that he has to perform on Saturday. He’s a pro and has lot of pride in his performance, and I expect Jamie to prepare himself as well as he always does, despite the wedding.
“Two wins away on the road shows the quality of the young players and quality of the squad but to have the Socceroos returning, Metcalfe and Tilio, they’ve been great and are two really important additions.”
City should be close to full-strength by the Melbourne derby with Victory on Saturday week, with captain Scott Jamieson and Rostyn Grifiths facing fitness tests for Phoenix.
They will almost certainly be ready for Wednesday’s home clash with Sydney FC, with Scott Galloway (hamstring) also nearing a return.
Mathew Leckie already returned from Socceroos camp to play in the 1-0 win at macarthur FC last week – where Maclaren scored – with Graham Arnold opting not to risk his June availability as he was one booking away from suspension.
Victory’s Socceroos duo Ben Folami and Nick D’Agostino should also be available for Saturday’s visit to Adelaide United, with Folami not featuring in Australia’s 1-0 loss in Jeddah, while D’Agostino replaced Perth Glory’s Bruno Fornaroli at halftime.
In-form striker Aleksandar Prijovic will lead Western United’s charge up the table, when they host Central Coast at Ballarat’s MARS Stadium on Saturday, after he netted his fifth goal in seven weeks, in last week’s 3-2 win at Brisbane.
REDS SET FOR GOODWIN BOOST AFTER ISOLATION
He stands on the verge of making history for Adelaide United – but it’s more than just Craig Goodwin’s goals that are crucial to his side’s title hopes.
Goodwin returns to the United side to face Melbourne Victory on Sunday after missing the 3-0 loss away to the Mariners thanks to being in isolation due to his partner having Covid.
The left-winger needs one goal to become the club’s all-time record goalscorer, currently tying with Bruce Djite on 35 A-League goals and six in other competitions.
A 42nd for Goodwin would also be his ninth goal this year, close to equalling his own season-best of 10 – as well as helping to cement United’s place in the top four – in a game that will mark Isaias’s 200th game for the club.
Former Socceroo Luke Wilkshire said Goodwin had become even more vital for Adelaide since captain Stefan Mauk was signed by J2 League club Fagiano Okayama – replaced by Goodwin as United skipper.
“He’s been fantastic for them this year and it wasn’t a coincidence that they lost to the Mariners when he was ruled out last week,” said Wilkshire, now part of the A-League commentary team on 10/Paramount+.
“His left foot is a powerful weapon as we saw with that freekick against Western Sydney (which won the A-League Men’s goal of the week competition). He gives United pace and directness, as well as the ability to spread the play when he goes wide.
“But he’s also a senior figure for them and the importance of that has only risen since Stefan Mauk got a move to Japan.
“I’m sure the Socceroos would like to have him as an option for the World Cup play-offs in June, especially in this form.”
Wilkshire said Goodwin is spearheading a United side that is determined to be successful by playing the right way.
“They’ve stayed under the radar a bit, but the amount of comebacks they’ve had this year when they’ve scored late goals has been ridiculous. They’re relentless but also very entertaining.
“I like the fact they will always have a go under Carl Veart. When I watch football I want to see passion, flair and creativity, not a game of chess.
“Adelaide is a team that will open up, make the running, with players like Goodwin prepared to have a go.”
Meanwhile, Sydney FC host bitter rivals Western Sydney on Saturday night desperate to keep distance between the two clubs on the ladder, as the run-in towards the finals begins to take shape.
Western Sydney’s 2-0 defeat of the Sky Blues last month highlighted a campaign where Sydney have taken points off title rivals but lost to struggling sides – while the Wanderers have breathed life into their finals hopes with a run of one defeat in five games beginning with that derby win.
For Sydney it’s new territory after reaching the last three grand finals, while Wanderers boss Mark Rudan believes his team is making progress after he replaced Carl Robinson following Western Sydney’s underwhelming start to the season.
“Both teams need the points badly to be honest, on a number of levels,” said former Wanderers fullback Daniel Georgievski, now part of 10’s A-League commentary team.
“First and foremost it’s a derby and it matters more than any game to the fans. They want to be kings of the city irrespective of their wider seasons, and the players will be well aware of that.
“But equally both teams are at risk of not making the six if they continue to drop points as the pressure mounts – there are teams around them ready to take advantage, like Wellington and Newcastle.”
LESCANO SURGE HAS ROAR DREAMING BIG
It took Juan Lescano nine games to break his duck – but now he’s been backed to keep firing and help keep Brisbane Roar on the trail of an unlikely place in the finals.
The Argentine forward, on the books of Real Madrid and Liverpool as a teenager, looked all at sea in the opening rounds of the season after being lured to the A-League from the Russian Premier League by Roar boss Warren Moon.
But former Melbourne Victory and Newcastle fullback Daniel Georgievski, now part of the A-League commentary team on 10/Paramount+, believes Lescano has started to understand the demands of Australian football, and how to be successful.
Going into Wednesday’s clash with Wellington, Lescarno had scored four goals in four games after managing one in the previous five, and Georgievski said the 29-year-old wasn’t the first import to struggle initially.
“He came here with a bit of hype because of the clubs he’s been at and to be frank he was very disappointing initially,” Georgievski said.
“He needed time and people don’t always grant you that when you come with a reputation. It left Brisbane struggling a little bit, having to play players out of position, and their leading scorer was a winger.
“Now you can see that Lescano understands what Warren Moon wants and the way he’s trying to play and a few goals has done wonders for his confidence.
“He’s obviously of a high calibre by looking at the clubs he’s been at, but it can take a while to click with your teammates.
“If he keeps scoring then Brisbane can still aim to make the top six – they're definitely not an easy side to play against and they’ve created enough chances recently.
“The A-League this year is so crazily competitive, almost any side can make a run for the top six if they put some form together, even at this stage of the season.”
Meanwhile, Sydney FC host bitter rivals Western Sydney on Saturday night desperate to keep distance between the two clubs on the ladder, as the run-in towards the finals begins to take shape.
Western Sydney’s 2-0 defeat of the Sky Blues last month highlighted a campaign where Sydney have taken points off title rivals but lost to struggling sides – while the Wanderers have breathed life into their finals hopes with a run of one defeat in five games beginning with that derby win.
For Sydney it’s new territory after reaching the last three grand finals, while Wanderers boss Mark Rudan believes his team is making progress after he replaced Carl Robinson following Western Sydney’s underwhelming start to the season.
“Both teams need the points badly to be honest, on a number of levels,” said former Wanderers fullback Daniel Georgievski, now part of 10’s A-League commentary team.
“First and foremost it’s a derby and it matters more than any game to the fans. They want to be kings of the city irrespective of their wider seasons, and the players will be well aware of that.
“But equally both teams are at risk of not making the six if they continue to drop points as the pressure mounts – there are teams around them ready to take advantage, like Wellington and Newcastle.
“The inconsistency of both teams in the derby makes it so hard to call, even beyond the normal competitiveness, and the fact that neither is at the top of the ladder adds to the pressure.”
A-LEAGUES PREVIEWS
SATURDAY APRIL 2
Western United v Central Coast
MARS Stadium, Ballarat
Kick-off: 2:05pm AEDT
TV: Paramount+
Odds: United $1.92, Draw $3.60, Mariners $3.60
Veteran defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley will set a new A-Leagues appearances record, moving past the 358 current total he shares with Andrew Durante, as John Aloisi’s side attempts to keep pace with Melbourne City at its quasi home ground in Ballarat. An impressive United has been tough to beat and remains on track for a record-breaking season, in Aloisi’s first season at the fledgling club, alongside assistant Hayden Foxe.
Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne City
Shark Park, Cronulla
Kick-off: 5:05pm AEDT
TV: Paramount+
Odds: Phoenix $3.80, Draw $3.90, City $1.85
Fresh from a rare week-long break, Melbourne City is back in hectic schedule mode, with the Wellington Phoenix match kicking off three games in a week, before they depart for Asian Champions League duty in Thailand on April 10. While City leads, they have played more games and they’ll want to bank up as many points as possible, with just two regular season games left after returning from Asian duties, before finals. Wellington Phoenix have gone under the radar in climbing up the table.
Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory
Coopers Stadium
Kick off: 7.45pm AEDT
TV: 10/Paramount+
Odds: Adelaide $2.60, draw $3.60, Melbourne Victory $2.60
One of the A-League’s original rivalries scarcely needs an extra layer of motivation, but one glance at the league table spells out what’s at stake in a game that will mark the 200th game in a United shirt of elegant midfielder Isaias. Just three points separates the two sides as they jostle for positions on the ladder and a win for the visitors would pull them level on points – and ahead on goal difference.
Adelaide welcome back Craig Goodwin after he missed the defeat to the Mariners due to his partner’s bout of Covid. Victory are still smarting from dropping two points to a 97th minute equaliser to the Wanderers last weekend and should be without centreback Roderick Miranda due to his late red card in that game.
Sydney FC v Western Sydney
Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Kick off: 7.45pm AEDT
TV: 10/Paramount+
Odds: Sydney FC $1.92, Draw $3.70, Western Sydney $3.60
What threatens to be the “deluge derby”, with yet more rain forecast over Sydney on Saturday, has big ramifications for what is turning into a scrap for the top six between two teams who had title pretensions at the start of the season.
Since knocking off the Sky Blues last month, Western Sydney have lost only once in four more games, and coach Mark Rudan wants his side to believe in themselves a bit more. Sydney fullback Rhyan Grant is due to set a new appearance record for Sydney, moving ahead of former captain Alex Brosque.
SUNDAY APRIL 3
Brisbane Roar v Newcastle Jets
Moreton Daily Stadium
Kick-off: 4.05pm AEDT
TV: P+
Odds: Roar $2.15, Draw $3.50, Jets $3.30
It has been a topsy-turvy season for both teams as the Roar welcome the Jets to Moreton Daily Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Jets have struggled in their past two visits to Brisbane, failing to score in back-to-back games, and Arthur Papas’ side will have to address that form.
Macarthur FC v Perth Glory
Campbelltown Sports Stadium
Kick-off: 6.20pm AEDT
TV: P+
Odds: Macarthur $1.80, Draw $3.90, Sydney $3.90
Perth must create history in their brief head-to-head record with Macarthur if they are to emerge victorious at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Sunday night.
Since Macarthur’s inaugural season, the Glory are yet to beat the Bulls, splitting two losses and two draws across four prior meetings. Perth have only managed one goal in that period.
TUESDAY APRIL 5
Central Coast v Wellington
Central Coast Stadium
Kick-off: 7.05pm
TV: P+
Nick Montgomery’s side are suddenly breathing down Wellington’s necks thanks to an excellent run of form.
Central Coast, after dropping so many points late in matches earlier this term, are suddenly back in contention for the top six after getting reward for their performances. Wellington, however, always provide a stern test and beat them 2-1 earlier this season.
WEDNESDAY APRIL 6
Melbourne City v Sydney FC
AAMI Park
Kick-off: 7.05pm
TV: P+
After a week of Sydney Derbies, the Sky Blues’ run of big tests continues with a Grand Final rematch, sure to test the late season credentials of Steve Corica’s side.
City won this encounter on Australia Day, and with the ladder tight from top through to the top six chasing pack, this midweek clash takes on heightened importance, especially for a Sydney side about to embark on an Asian adventure.
Perth Glory v Melbourne Victory
HBF Stadium
Kick-off: 9.05pm AEDT
TV: P+
A lot has changed since the Glory and Victory met as they prepare to do battle at HBF Stadium on Wednesday night.
Perth ran out 3-0 winners against Victory in December, but the Glory have not kicked on, dwelling at the foot of the table with a new head coach while Victory bid to secure finals football.
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