The semi-final loss by the Wellington Phoenix may open the way for some of its players to be selected for the men’s A-League All Stars to play English Premier League heavyweights Newcastle United.
Selectors of the men’s All Stars have so far named 13 players for the match at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium, holding back on further squad members until after the second legs of the men’s A-League semi-finals.
Main photo: Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium to host men’s and women’s All Stars games against English clubs.
Teams involved in the A-League grand final can’t participate in the All Stars match against Newcastle on Friday May 24, as it’s being played a day later in Gosford, New South Wales.
The men’s All Stars are expected to have a squad of 19 players — the same size as for the women’s All Stars’ match against English club Arsenal — and players from the losing semi-finalists can now be invited to play.
READ MORE: Three Ferns named in women’s A-League All Stars squad to face Arsenal >>>>
It’s likely some or even all the six players to join the men’s squad will come from beaten semi-finalists Wellington Phoenix and Sydney.
The full men’s squad is set to be announced on Monday May 20.
All Stars men’s head coach Patrick Kisnorbo has already included young gun Nestory Irankunda and Socceroos Mathew Leckie and Adam Taggart for the match against Newcastle United as part of Global Football Week.
The preliminary squad also includes a number of Australian and International stars who have excelled across the league this season, including Jay O’Shea, Tolgay Arslan, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, Marcelo, Lawrence Thomas, Ben Garuccio and Angus Thurgate.
In addition, the preliminary squad includes four Boost Rising Stars in Kai Trewin, Nicolas Milanovic, Jake Hollman and Nestory Irankunda who are acknowledged as some of the brightest under-23 footballers from the Isuzu UTE A-League.
As part of the squad announcement, it was confirmed that Western United star Daniel Penha has withdrawn from the All Stars squad after returning home to Brazil due to personal reasons.
Kisnorbo said: “There is no doubting the talent currently playing in the Isuzu UTE A-League Men. Within this squad we have a number of rising stars, Socceroos and International stars who will come together and compete with one of English football’s biggest clubs -— Newcastle United.
“I look forward to working with this group along with the final additions to the squad ahead of what will be a big night for Australian football.
“This squad is excited for this challenge — especially in front of fans who love our game — and they can’t wait to test themselves against world-class players who play in the best league in the world.”
READ MORE: Former A-League winner to coach All Stars squad against Newcastle United >>>>
The preliminary squad
Goalkeepers
Lawrence Thomas (Western Sydney Wanderers)
Defenders
Kai Trewin (Brisbane Roar)
Marcelo Guedes (Western Sydney Wanderers)
Ben Garuccio (Western United)
Midfielders
Jay O’Shea (Brisbane Roar)
Jake Hollman (Macarthur)
Tolgay Arslan (Melbourne City)
Angus Thurgate (Western United)
Forwards
Nestory Irankunda (Adelaide United)
Mathew Leckie (Melbourne City)
Apostolos Stamatelopoulos (Newcastle Jets)
Adam Taggart (Perth Glory)
Nicolas Milanovic (Western Sydney Wanderers)
How to buy tickets
Tickets for all three matches at Melbourne’s festival of football and the open training sessions for the men’s and women’s All Stars are available at Ticketek Australia here >>>>
Fixtures
Game to be played on Wednesday May 22, 2024
Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United
Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, 9.45pm (NZT)
Games to be played on Friday May 24, 2024
Men’s A-League All Stars v Newcastle United
Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, 7.15pm (NZT)
Women’s A-League All Stars v Arsenal
Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, 10.05pm (NZT)
More football stories
