Western United will take the next step in its FFA Cup journey, hosting Wellington Phoenix in the Round of 32.
Match Details
Western United vs Wellington Phoenix
Tuesday, 7 December
Kick-off: 7:30pm AEDT
GMHBA Stadium, Geelong
Broadcast: The match will be shown live on 10Play.
United booked its place in the Round of 32 after defeating Newcastle Jets 2-1 in a Play Off fixture at the beginning of November.
Goals to Lachie Wales and Aleksandar Prijovic earned the victory on that occasion, and United’s path is now clear if it is successful in the coming rounds of the competition.
A win over the Phoenix would see United battle Avondale FC for a spot in the quarter-finals, where Melbourne City would be waiting if the Green and Black is able to get there.
Previous Meetings
United’s first ever match in the A-League Men took place in Wellington with Besart Berisha’s goal giving the Club its first win in 2019.
Aside from that, Wellington is one of the few teams that United has not had the better of in head-to-head meetings. United has failed to beat the New Zealand outfit since that first meeting.
Team News
After United’s 1-0 A-League Men victory over Melbourne City on Saturday night, head coach John Aloisi confirmed there would be opportunities afforded a number of players to earn competitive minutes for the midweek clash.
Aloisi hinted that the likes of Adisu Bayew and Dylan Pierias could start after looking sharp off the bench at the weekend.
It will be a mix of youth and experience in the side, with potential for a number of players to make their full, competitive debuts for the Club.
What John Aloisi is saying
On rotating the side
“We want to win every game, and it’s not to dismiss the FFA Cup as not important, but we’ve also got other players that haven’t started games and they deserve an opportunity.
“We want to see them as well. We want to see how they cope with the pressure of an actual official game. We believe in them.”
On the importance of getting minutes for the whole squad
“It’s great, it’s really important, because when we need to throw them in against a Melbourne City, they’ve experienced it.
“It’s one thing talking about a friendly game in pre-season, it’s another thing talking about an FFA Cup tie where it’s cut throat, everything on the line. That’s great for young players and it’s great for the players that haven’t been playing.
“It’s important because we’re going to need them. We will need them this season. We’ve been around the A-League long enough to know that your squad is important, and it gives them an opportunity to show that when they are needed, that they’re confident to go in and do well.”
