The Melbourne Knights seek a sequel to last week’s sensational success, when they face Heidelberg United tonight at Somers Street.
Last week, a goal by Mohammad Sumaoro and a brace from Gian Albano allowed the Knights take their first home victory of the season, coming from behind to defeat the Bentleigh Greens 3–2.
Heidelberg secured their first win of the season last week, defeating Oakleigh Cannons 2–0. Kaine Sheppard kicked things off in the first half with his second goal of the season and Chudiar Tharjiath sealed the deal, scoring in the dying moments of extra time.
The Knights will be hoping they can carry their momentum into Round 5 and grab another three points in what is shaping up to be an exciting season.
The Knights head into the match with the upper hand, 7th in the league and three points clear of Heidelberg in 12th. Both sides haven’t had the easiest of starts to their NPL campaigns, equally having already faced defeat against South Melbourne.
The Knights will need to keep a close eye on Kaine Sheppard after scoring twice already this season. He returns to the NPL from the A-League, where he had successes with the Newcastle Jets and Western United. Similarly, keen-eyed Knights fans will notice both Franjic brother on the Bergers roster, with both brothers featuring in the starting line up.
The last time the two sides faced, the match ended in a 2–2 draw. All four goals came in the second half of the match and Heidelberg scored dramatically in extra time to salvage a point.
Melbourne Knights FC
Head Coach: Steve Bebic
Squad: 1-Harry Cakarun (GK), 2-Jack Marth, 3-Fuki Ishibashi, 4-Theiry Iradukunda, 5-Ayden Brice (C), 6-Anthony Duzel, 7-Atilla Ofli, 9-Luka Celic, 10-Gian Albano, 11-Justin Micallef, 12-Andy Robertson, 14-Anthony Frangie, 16-Mohammad Sumaoro, 17-Trevor Ssemakula, 18-Jack Morton, 19-Luka Kolic, 21-Thomas Manos (GK), 23-Steve Sokol, 24-Ivan Miletic, 77-Lionel Masudi
Heidelberg United FC
Head Coach: George Katsakis
Squad: 1- Brendan White (GK), 4- Mallan Roberts, 5- Ajdin Fetahagic, 6 – Joseph Franjic, 7 Reuben Way (C), 9- Adrian Zahra, 10- Ivan Franjic, 11- Andrew Cartanos, 12 – Dion Nikolaides, 14- Kaine Sheppard, 15- Brain Summerskill, 16- Johnpaul McTheophilus, 17- Josh Pin, 18- Anthony Theodoropulos, 19-Sean Ellis, 20- Luke Ninkovic, 21- Eion Ashton, 22- Domonic Falla, 23- Chudiar Tharjiath, 24- Hussain Al Sharifi, 63- Nick Eres (GK)
– Ryan Schopp