Western United will welcome back a key duo in the Isuzu UTE A-League Men this week while celebrating another milestone in the Ninja A-League Women.
For Saturday night’s visit of Auckland FC to Ironbark Fields, John Aloisi will welcome Sebastian Pasquali back into the fold.
The midfielder has not played since fracturing his fibula in Unite Round back in November having featured in all five matches up to that point.
Pasquali is joined in returning from injury by Charbel Shamoon who will be hoping for his first Isuzu UTE A-League appearance of 2025.
The young full-back made his comeback in last week’s Senior Academy win over FC Bulleen Lions and will next be hoping to tick off his first team return.
Pasquali’s reintroduction, in particular, comes at a perfect time for Aloisi and his team with fellow midfielder Angus Thurgate missing due to suspension.
Oliver Lavale completes the 20-man squad, being promoted back into first team contention having dealt with injury over the turn of the year and building his fitness throughout the VPL 1 Men pre-season.
For the Ninja A-League Women squad’s trip to Brisbane on Sunday, goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln is set for another achievement with a 50th appearance in the competition in store.
The 20-year-old will be hoping to celebrate with three points for the Green and Black before heading to the United States with the Matildas for the SheBelieves Cup.
Kat Smith’s side picked up an excellent 2-1 win at Sydney FC last week and will hope to roll that into another positive result.
Alana Cerne made her injury comeback in that clash and will be eager to feature again, while Isabel Dehakiz will have an eye on another start in midfield after starring at Leichhardt Oval.
Full Western United extended squads
A-League Men
Western United squad: 5. Oliver LAVALE, 6. Tomoki IMAI, 7. Ramy NAJJARINE, 9. Hiroshi IBUSUKI, 10. Matthew GRIMALDI, 13. Tate RUSSELL, 17. Ben GARUCCIO (c), 19. Noah BOTIC, 20. Abel WALATEE, 21. Sebastian PASQUALI, 22. Kane VIDMAR, 23. Rhys BOZINOVSKI, 24. Michael RUHS, 29. Charbel SHAMOON, 30. Dylan LEONARD, 33. Matt SUTTON (gk), 37. Luke VICKERY, 44. Jordan LAUTON, 70. Michael VONJA (gk), 77. Riku DANZAKI
Ins: 5. Oliver LAVALE (promoted), 21. Sebastian PASQUALI (returns from injury), 29. Charbel SHAMOON (returns from injury)
Outs: 32. Angus THURGATE (suspended)
Unavailable: 4. James DONACHIE (injured), 43. Khoder KADDOUR (injured)
A-League Women
Western United squad: 1. Alyssa DALL’OSTE (gk), 4. Claudia MIHOCIC, 5. Aimee MEDWIN, 6. Chloe LOGARZO (c), 7. Kiara DE DOMIZIO, 8. Sasha GROVE, 9. Sara EGGESVIK, 10. Kahli JOHNSON, 11. Sandra IBARGUEN, 13. Avaani PRAKASH, 15. Adriana TARANTO, 16. Melissa TARANTO, 18. Grace MAHER, 20. Keiwa HIEDA, 22. Alana CERNE, 24. Julia SARDO, 28. Isabel DEHAKIZ, 36. Chloe LINCOLN (gk)
Ins: 11. Sandra IBARGUEN, 16. Melissa Taranto (returns from rest)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 34. Catherine ZIMMERMAN (injured)
