FFA Cup Preview: Adelaide United vs Wellington Phoenix
FFA CUP – ROUND OF 32 
TUESDAY 5th AUGUST
MARDEN SPORTS COMPLEX,
ADELAIDE
#ADLvWEL #FFACUP
Adelaide United play host to the Wellington Phoenix on Tuesday night for both teams first hit out in the FFA Cup. Although originally drawn as a home game for Wellington, the FFA ruled that all matches must be played on Australian soil therefore promoting Adelaide to the role of host city for the match.
The Phoenix enter the match on the back of a successful home series against English Premier sides West Ham United, which they unexpectedly beat 2-1, and Newcastle United in which they narrowly lost 1-0. Second year coach Ernie Merrick has made a string of off-season signings who will run out for the Nix including Alex Rodriguez and Nathan Burns. They will be without regular starters Manny Muscat and Albert Riera who are unavailable due to their selection for the A-League All-Stars.
Adelaide United will be without coach Josep Gombau who has been handed the reigns of the All-Stars team as they prepare to take on Italian giants Juventus. Also unavailable are goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic and Marcelo Carrusca.
Key Players:
Louis Fenton (Wellington): The 21 year old Kiwi played at right back for the Phoenix for 10 games of the 2013/14 A-League season before dislocating his shoulder. After impressing Ernie Merrick in the midfield on the Football United Tour, all indications are that the youngster will start there on Tuesday night and attempt to lock down a starting spot for the coming season.
Osama Malik (Adelaide): The 23 year old local boy conceded an own goal in his sides 5-1 preseason loss to Spanish side Malaga. The central defender will have his work cut out for him on Tuesday against a likely attacking three of Brockie, Cunningham and Burns.
Squads:
Adelaide United squad: 2.Michael MARRONE, 3.Nigel BOOGAARD, 4.Dylan McGOWAN, 5.Osama MALIK, 6.CASSIO, 8.ISAIAS, 9.Sergio CIRIO, 11.Bruce DJITE, 12.Mark OCHIENG, 13.Dylan SMITH, 14.Cameron WATSON, 15.Ben WARLAND, 17.Awer MABIL, 18.Jimmy JEGGO, 20.Paul IZZO (GK), 21.Tarek ELRICH, 22.Fabio FERREIRA, 23.Jordan ELSEY, 24.Bruce KAMAU, 30.John HALL (GK), 32.Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS
Wellington Phoenix squad: 1.Glen MOSS (GK), 3.Reece CAIRA, 5.Michael BOXALL, 6.Josh BRINDELL-SOUTH, 7.Kenny CUNNINGHAM, 8.Alejandro RODRIGUEZ GORRIN, 9.Nathan BURNS, 11.Jeremy BROCKIE, 12.Tyler BOYD, 14.Alex RUFER, 15.Jason HICKS, 16.Louis FENTON, 17.Vince LIA, 18.Ben SIGMUND, 20.Lewis ITALIANO (GK), 21.Roy KRISHNA, 22.Andrew DURANTE, 23.Matthew RIDENTON, 24.Thomas DOYLE
Prediction: Wellington 2-1
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