Melbourne Knights FC Official Website Coming off the back of a strong win, the Melbourne Knights will welcome the Dandenong Thunder to Knights Stadium.
Last week, the Knights snapped a six-game losing streak, in a 2-0 victory over the Eastern Lions. Goals from Gian Albano and Luka Kolic enabled the Knights to return to Somers Street with all three points. Still with a game against Green Gully in hand, the Knights edge closer to the top six.
Our Friday night opponents – Dandenong Thunder – battled back-and-forth with the Bentleigh Greens last weekend, eventually scoring a point in a 2-2 draw at home. Former Knight Anthony Frangie – who made the switch to the Thunder in the mid-season transfer window – scored one of two goals for the Thunder, alongside captain Harry Ashcroft. Despite their 2-0 lead at the half, Bentleigh were not done with, scoring twice in the space of seven minutes to level the scoresheet by the 86th minute.
Following round 22 action, the Knights are ninth, three point behind the Thunder in eighth. A win over this week’s opposition will see the boys leapfrog them and edge closer to the top six.
When these teams last faced, a tight affair turned ugly as the Thunder won 3-1. Both teams scored in the first half as they entered the break at 1-1. Things went south for the Knights, when Thiery Iradukunda was booked in the first minute of the second half. This allowed the Thunder to pile two goals on in quick succession. It went from bad to worse, as Jack Marth saw the Knights’ second red card with just 10 minutes to go.
The Knights will hope to turn their fortunes around this weekend, as a big three points are on the line and finals hopes are still alive. Make sure to support the boys in a must win match.
Melbourne Knights FC:
Squad: 1- Harry Cakarun (GK), 2- Jack Marth, 3- Taylor Schrijvers, 4- Theiry Iradukunda, 5- Ayden Brice (C), 6- Anthony Duzel, 7- George Ott, 10- Gian Albano, 11- Justin Micallef, 15- Dylan Murnane, 16- Mohammad Sumaoro, 17- Trevor Ssemakula, 18- Jack Morton, 19- Luka Kolic, 21- Thomas Manos (GK), 23- Steve Sokol, 24- Ivan Miletic,
Head Coach: Steve Bebic
Dandenong Thunder SC:
Squad: 1- Kane Runge (GK), 2- Sevdim Ismaili, 3- Harley Orr, 4- Tomas Maricic, 5- Mersim Memeti, 6- Harry Ashcroft (C), 7- Sanih Zijai, 8- Cameron McGlip, 9- Brayden Mann, 10- James Poole, 11- Ali Sulemani, 13- Festim Sulemanovski, 14- Maker Maker, 15- Josh Meaker, 16- Muamet Selimovski, 17- Liron Azizi, 18- Jack Simmons, 19- Rohan Gani, 21- Noah James (GK), 23- Dimitrios Parascos, 24- Lachlan Byrd, 25- Florent Indalecio, 28- Kris Kioussis
Head Coach: David Chick
2022 NPL Victoria Round 23 – Melbourne Knights FC v Dandenong Thunder SC
Date: Friday, July 22
Kick-off: 7:30PM (AEST)
Venue: Knights Stadium, Sunshine North
Where to watch: Livestream via NPL TV
