Subway Socceroos at Home: A-League Men’s 2022/23 Round 26 Preview

The final round of the Isuzu UTE A-League 2022/23 regular season commences this weekend and with that, a host of Subway Socceroos out to demonstrate their quality and help their sides build momentum heading into an impending Finals Series.

Adelaide United currently lie one point ahead of Central Coast Mariners (third) and Western Sydney Wanderers (fourth) and know fate remains in their hands. 

A win will guarantee a second place finish, however a draw will also be adequate for the Reds if Western Sydney fail to beat Premiers Melbourne City.

Both matches will kick-off simultaneously on Friday night.

Check out the preview below!

Adelaide United vs Central Coast Mariners 

Craig Goodwin and Joe Gauci will be focused on snapping a three-game winless streak when they entertain Jason Cummings' in-form Central Coast Mariners side.

Goodwin scored his 12th of the season and 50th career league goal for Adelaide United in last weekend's thrilling 4-4 draw against Perth Glory.

Cummings, meanwhile, was scoreless as the Mariners recorded a 3-1 away F3 Derby win over Newcastle Jets. A win for the Gosford-based club will elevate them into second spot but only if their victory is greater than the Wanderers' (if they indeed win), given the two teams have identical points and goal difference.

Melbourne City vs Western Sydney Wanderers

Brandon Borrello's Western Sydney Wanderers tackle the recently crowned Premiers Melbourne City at AAMI Park.

Borrello was on target for the third consecutive game last time out against Wellington Phoenix, bringing his tally to 12 for the campaign.

City enjoyed a solid triumph over  Western United and witnessed Jamie Maclaren make history as his hat-trick enabled him to surpass Besart Berisha and become the competition's highest-ever goal scorer.

Mathew Leckie impressed on his return from a hamstring injury with a cameo off the bench, claiming his sixth assist of the campaign. Marco TilioJordan Bos and Aiden O'Neill are also all expected to feature.

 

Sydney FC vs Newcastle Jets

Andrew Redmayne produced a couple of key saves in Sydney FC's 2-0 win over Brisbane Roar last Monday, helping the Sky Blues secure finals football.

Barring a catastrophe against the Newcastle Jets on Saturday, Sydney will end the season in fifth spot.

Recently called-up/capped Subway Socceroos

Melbourne Victory: Ben Folami and Bruno Fornaroli
Perth Glory: Adam Taggart
Sydney FC: Joel King, Rhyan Grant and Alex Wilkinson

Subway Olyroos

Adelaide United: Louis D’Arrigo, Alexandar Popovic
Brisbane Roar: Jordan Courtney-Perkins, Kai Trewin
Central Coast Mariners: Jacob Farrell
Macarthur FC: Jake Hollman
Melbourne City: Callum Talbot
Melbourne Victory: Nishan Velupillay 
Newcastle Jets: Thomas Aquilina, Lucas Mauragis, Mark Natta 
Perth Glory: Cameron Cook, Keegan Jelacic
Western Sydney Wanderers: Calem Nieuwenhof
Western United: Noah Botic

Subway Young Socceroos

Adelaide United: Bernardo Oliveira, Panashe Madanha, Jonny Yull 
Central Coast Mariners: Nectarios Triantis
Macarthur FC: Jed Drew, Alexander Robinson 
Melbourne City: Raphael Borges Rodrigues, Max Caputo, James Nieuwenhuizen
Newcastle Jets: Archie Goodwin
Perth Glory: Joseph Forde, Chris Donnell, Kaelan Majekodunmi
Sydney FC: Adrian Segecic, Jake Girdwood-Reich
Western Sydney Wanderers: Alessandro Lopane, Alexander Badolato, Aidan Simmons, Jack Warshawsky 
Western United: Rhys Bozinovski

Subway Joeys

Adelaide United: Nestory Irankunda (called up to Socceroos as a train on)