Newcomers Auckland FC have a full squad to choose from but rivals Wellington Phoenix have struck injury problems ahead of the men’s A-League’s opening round.
Both clubs have declared their squads, and injury lists, ahead of their Isuzu UTE A-League fixtures.
Auckland FC host Brisbane Roar in their inaugural A-League match at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart on Saturday.
The Phoenix face Western United at Sky Stadium, Wellington, on Sunday.
Phoenix players Paulo Retre, Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues, Lukas Kelly-Heald and Marco Rojas have been ruled out of Round 1 through injuries.
All White Marco Rojas is recovering from a small fracture in his leg, an injury likely to keep him out of action till at least Round 3.
New signing Paulo Retre is out after the midfielder suffered a groin injury in training. He could be out for more than a month.
New Zealand age group internationals Lukas Kelly-Heald and Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues also miss the opener.
Meanwhile, pundits have been speculating the likely starting line-up for Auckland FC.
Archie Thompson and Thomas Sorensen have shared their thoughts on coach Steve Corica’s options in the A-League’s 50-minute online season preview show.
Main photo: Could this graphic from the A-League’s preview show be the Auckland FC starting line-up?
Watch the preview show
Fixture
Game to be played on Saturday October 19, 2024
Auckland FC v Brisbane Roar
Go Media Stadium Mt Smart, Auckland, 5pm
READ MORE: Auckland FC say A-League debut game ‘set to sell out’ at Go Media Stadium >>>>
Auckland FC
Available: 1. Michael Woud, 2. Hiroki Sakai, 3. Scott Galloway, 4. Nando Pijnaker, 5. Tommy Smith, 6. Louis Verstraete, 7. Cam Howieson, 9. Max Mata, 10. Guillermo May, 12. Alex Paulsen, 14. Liam Gillion, 15. Francis De Vries, 17. Callan Elliot, 18. Finn Mckenlay, 21. Jesse Randall, 22. Jake Brimmer, 23. Dan Hall, 27. Logan Rogerson, 28. Felipe Gallegos, 35. Jonty Bidois
Unavailable: Nil
Brisbane Roar
Available: Macklin Freke (Gk), 4. Ben Warland, 6. Joe Caletti, 7. Rafael Struick, 8. Walid Shour, 10. Florin Berenguer, 11. Neicer Acosta, 15. Hosine Bility, 16. Thomas Waddingham, 17. Harry Van Der Saag, 19. Jack Hingert, 21. Antonee Burke-gilroy, 23. Keegan Jelacic, 24. Sam Klein, 26. Jay O’shea (C), 27. Ben Halloran, 29. Matt Acton (Gk), 35. Louis Zabala, 43. Adam Zimarino, 49. Ivan Ozzi
(Two to be omitted)
Unavailable: 2. Scott Neville (knee), 3. Corey Brown (Suspension), 5. Marcus Ferkranus (knee), 30. Quinn MacNicol (international duty)
Fixture
Game to be played on Sunday October 20, 2024
Wellington Phoenix v Western United
Sky Stadium, Wellington, 4pm
Wellington Phoenix
Available: 1. Josh Oluwayemi (Gk), 3. Corban Piper, 4. Scott Wootton, 5. Fin Roa Conchie, 6. Tim Payne, 7. Kosta Barbarouses, 9. Hideki Ishige, 10. David Ball, 12. Mo Al-taay, 14. Alex Rufer (captain), 15. Isaac Hughes, 19. Sam Sutton, 23. Luke Supyk, 24. Oskar Van Hattum, 25. Kazuki Nagasawa, 27. Matt Sheridan, 29. Luke Brooke-Smith, 30. Alby Kelly-Heald (Gk), 39. Jayden Smith, 41. Nathan Walker
(Two to be omitted)
Unavailable: 8. Paulo Retre (injured), 17. Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues (injured), 18. Lukas Kelly-Heald (injured), 21. Marco Rojas (injured)
Western United
Available: 1. Tom Heward-Belle (Gk), 4. James Donachie, 5. Oliver Lavale, 6. Tomoki Imai, 9. Hiroshi Ibusuki, 10. Matthew Grimaldi, 13. Tate Russell, 14. Jake Najdovski, 17. Ben Garuccio, 19. Noah Botic, 20. Abel Walatee, 21. Sebastian Pasquali, 23. Rhys Bozinovski, 29. Charbel Shamoon, 30. Dylan Leonard, 32. Angus Thurgate, 33. Matthew Sutton (Gk), 34. James York, 37. Luke Vickery, 77. Riku Danzaki
(Two to be omitted)
Unavailable: 7. Ramy Najjarine (injured), 43. Khoder Kaddour (injured)
This story was first published on October 18, 2024.
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