Melbourne Knights FC Official Website The Melbourne Knights return home this week, after a horror road trip to Kingston Heath, to face the Eastern Lions.
The Knights fell to 6th following their 5-1 loss on the road, yet still remain in touch with the top of the table as only four points separate them and Avondale in pole position. The Eastern Lions on the other hand sit in 11th, after Dandenong City collected their first win of the season last week against the Lions.
In unusual fashion, the Knights conceded three first half goals. A second half consolation from Gian Albano was unable to shade the forgettable defeat, as Bentleigh piled another two goals on to finish the match as 5-1 winners.
The Eastern Lions became Dandenong City’s first victim of the season last week, going down one goal to nil. On nine points this season, including two wins, the Lions are uncomfortably two points from the drop zone.
The Eastern Lions are competing in their first season in the NPL Victoria competition, after promotion from the NPL Victoria 2 East competition in 2019. The 2020 season was supposed to be their first year in the topflight of Victoria, however the season was ultimately cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing them to remain in the competition for the 2021 season. The Lions go into the match with only two wins under their belt and seven losses to their name.
Be there at Knights Stadium this Friday night to back the boys over the line, after a tough week on the road!
– Tom Hayes
Melbourne Knights FC:
Squad: 2- Jack Marth, 4- Nikola Jurkovic, 5- Ayden Brice (C), 6- Anthony Duzel, 8- James McGarry, 9- Alun Webb, 10- Gian Albano, 11- Caleb Mikulic, 12- Oliver Cakarun, 13- Daniel Petrov, 14- Trevor Zwetsloot, 15- Felipe Sanchez, 16- Mohammed Sumaoro, 17- Trevor Ssemakula, 18- Dor Jok, 19- Nicholas Glavan, 21- Thomas Manos (GK), 22- Lucas Cuschieri, 23- Joseph Colina, 99- Harry Cakarun (GK)
Head Coach: Steve Bebic
Eastern Lions SC:
Squad: 1- Keegan Coulter (GK), 3- Matthew Collier, 4- Will Ellis, 5- Sevdim Ismaili, 6- Andy Williams, 7- Ziggy Razuki, 8- Sanih Zijai, 9- Ardi Ahmeti, 10- Chris Droutsas, 11- Denis Daluri, 12- Anirudh Kappiyoor (GK), 16- Shaun Kenny (C), 17- Nathan Sim, 18- Kosta Stratomitros, 20- Lavo Memeti, 21- Gianluca Pizzirani, 22- Aaron Fabris, 23- James Doyle, 32- Taylan Geylan, 47- Ioannis Georgopoulos
Head Coach: Daniel Puscasu
2021 NPL Victoria Round 13 –Melbourne Knights FC v Eastern Lions SC
Date: Friday, May 21
Kick-off: 7:30PM (AEST)
Venue: Knights Stadium, Sunshine North
Where to watch: Livestream via Facebook & YouTube
