Perth Glory star Neil Kilkenny knows what it takes to topple Premier League giants Manchester United.
Kilkenny, 33, played his part in one of the biggest FA Cup shocks of the last decade when Leeds United beat their old rivals 1-0 at Old Trafford in 2010 courtesy of a Jermaine Beckford strike.
There were forty-two league places between the two clubs prior to kick off, and United had never lost in the third round of the Cup – or been eliminated by a lower-division side – during the reign of Sir Alex Ferguson.
HOW TO WATCH: Manchester United v Perth Glory
STAR: How Paul Pogba made a Perth boy’s dream come true
Kilkenny and ex-Melbourne City defender Patrick Kisnorbo both started on that famous night. The Perth midfielder is eyeing another spectacle – and scalp – when Glory welcome the 20-time English Champions to Optus Stadium on Saturday night.
“I’ve played against Manchester United quite a few times throughout my career,” Kilkenny told the club’s website. “The win was a fantastic day for myself and the fans of Leeds.”
“I’m looking forward to the game, playing in front of a big crowd gives you another opportunity to show other people that Australian football is growing and getting better.”
REMEMBER WHEN: The last time Manchester United and Leeds United were in Australia
DREAM START: Fornaroli eyes United debut
Details
Manchester United v Perth Glory
Date: Saturday, 13 July 2019
Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 7pm AWST, 9pm AEST
Warland back running
It’s been a memorable pre-season for Sydney FC so far, and the sight of defender Ben Warland running again is another reason for Sky Blues fans to feel cheerful.
Warland, 22, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in March but returned to the pitch today at the club’s Macquarie University headquarters.
The Adelaide-born centre back had made nine consecutive appearances for Sydney up until that injury sustained in a 2-0 defeat to Melbourne City and, once fit, Warland will no doubt be putting himself in Steve Corica’s first-team plans.
Mariners and Roar get under way
It may not seem so long since Reza Ghoochannejhad was crashing in that Grand Final-winning penalty as Sydney FC were crowned Hyundai A-League 2018/19 Champions but more teams are already getting their Hyundai A-League 2019/20 pre-season campaigns up and running.
Following 2018/19 Premiers Perth Glory’s 3-0 win against Bayswater City on Tuesday night, Central Coast Mariners and Brisbane Roar play their pre-season openers on Saturday.
Alen Stajcic’s Mariners are in action against FFA Cup 2019 Round of 32 contestants Manly United at Pluim Park at 10.30am, while the Robbie Fowler era begins for Brisbane against Redlands United at Logan Metro Sports Park at 3pm.
For the first time under new Head Coach @Robbie9Fowler, it's GAME DAY!
🆚 @RedlandsUTD
🕒 3pm
📍 Logan Metro Sports Park
🎟️ Gold coin donation
📸 Post-match signings#RoarAsOne pic.twitter.com/dar2UcXtS3— Brisbane Roar FC (@brisbaneroar) July 12, 2019
