Melbourne Knights FC Official Website Melbourne Knights will test their mettle against the NPL Victoria league leaders when they do battle with Avondale in Round 20 action at Knights Stadium on Friday night.
Knights come into Friday’s clash off the back of a 3-1 midweek win over Northcote City in the Dockerty Cup Play Off at John Cain Memorial Park on Tuesday night.
Mohammad Sumaoro netted his ninth goal of the 2023 season to open the scoring early in the second half before Knights newest recruits Anton Kinnander and Ben Collins scored their first goals in red, white and blue to round out the 3-1 win.
Both Kinnander and Collins, who joined the club from Werribee and Western United respectively are in line to make their home debuts in Friday’s match against the Avengers.
Tuesday’s win locks in another blockbuster at Somers Stadium with Knights now set to face Oakleigh in the Dockerty Cup Semi Final on Wednesday, July 12 (7:30pm KO).
Speaking following Tuesday’s victory ,Melbourne Knights Head Coach, Ben Cahn said his side were delighted to progress in the cup but already had their sights firmly set on Friday’s match up with Avondale.
“It’s been a challenging schedule, we’ve had seven games in Junes. At any level seven games in a month will test the resilience of the squad,” Cahn said.
“The playoff game is the one no wants to get, but I’m proud of the players and how they managed it.
“A lot of people stood up and put in top performances and it’s an important win.
“I think it’s important for big clubs to be competing for everything and try to go as far as they can in every competition.
“We’re getting to the business end of the season, where every game matters now, it’s great to be alive in all competitions and we’ll embrace the challenge that comes with it.
“It’s another quick turn around, we’ll recover well physically and mentally and we’ll be ready to give it everything against Avondale on Friday.”
Friday’s match will be the 17th NPL Victoria meeting between Knights and Avondale with Knights winning on two occasions, Avondale nine and there having been five draws between the two.
With just seven rounds remaining in the 2023 regular season Knights start the weekend in fourth position with their eyes firmly set on securing a first NPL Victoria finals appearance since 2015.
Friday’s match at Knights Stadium kicks off at 7:30pm and will be live streamed on NPL.TV.
MATCH DETAILS
NPL Victoria 2023 – Round 20: Melbourne Knights v Avondale FC
Knights Stadium, Sunshine North
Friday, June 30 (7:30pm KO)