Western United’s extended squad is in for the first ever Isuzu UTE A-League Men match at the Regional Football Facility as the Green and Black takes on Macarthur FC.
Tomoki Imai will miss the game due to suspension, so John Aloisi will turn to his young defenders to fill the void.
Kane Vidmar is set to start at centre-back while Zach Lisolajski returns to the extended squad having made three appearances earlier on in the campaign.
Having missed a significant period due to injury, Oliver Lavale has returned to training and is now fit to feature in the extended squad.
Fellow Western United Academy youngster Jordan Lauton is also listed in Aloisi’s 20-man squad for the visit of the Bulls.
Josh Risdon will lead the side out on the historic afternoon. Risdon, Sebastian Pasquali and Steven Lustica will see the journey through to Tarneit as the only three available players that were at the Club in its inaugural season.
Daniel Penha scored twice in a 3-3 draw the last time United faced Macarthur, and the Brazilian will be eager to put on a show for the fans in Tarneit on Saturday.
Full Western United extended squad
Western United squad: 1. Tom HEWARD-BELLE (gk), 4. James DONACHIE, 8. Lachie WALES, 9. Michael RUHS, 10. Steven LUSTICA, 11. Daniel PENHA, 13. Nikita RUKAVYTSYA, 17. Ben GARUCCIO, 19. Josh RISDON, 21. Sebastian PASQUALI, 22. Kane VIDMAR, 24. Connor O’TOOLE, 32. Angus THURGATE, 33. Matt SUTTON (gk), 36. Zach LISOLAJSKI, 39. Matthew GRIMALDI, 41. Oliver LAVALE, 44. Jordan LAUTON, 49. Jake NAJDOVSKI, 77. Riku DANZAKI
Ins: 36. Zach LISOLAJSKI (promoted), 41. Oliver LAVALE (returns from injury), 44. Jordan LAUTON
Outs: 6. Tomoki IMAI (suspended)
Unavailable: 7. Ramy NAJJARINE (injured), 27. Jacob TRATT (injured), 38. Noah BOTIC (injured), 42. Rhys BOZINOVSKI (injured)
Match Details
Isuzu UTE A-League Men Round 23
Macarthur FC vs Western United
Saturday, 6 April
Kick-off: 3:30pm AEDT
Regional Football Facility, Tarneit
Broadcast: The match will be broadcast live on Paramount+
