Semi-Final Ins & Outs: Key duo BACK for City, Mariners star in the mix for injury return

SEMI-FINAL SHOWDOWNS | "Greatest win in club history" | Dub Zone Ep.25

The teams are IN ahead of the return legs of the Ninja A-League Semi-Finals.

Melbourne Victory are in command of their tie with Adelaide United, carrying a 3-1 lead into the second leg encounter set to take place at the Home of the Matildas on Saturday afternoon.

Victory coach Jeff Hopkins has named two-time Ninja A-League Champions Lia Privitelli ahead of what could be her first appearance of the season after ankle surgery; Privitelli is one of three inclusions into Victory’s extended squad, along with Sofia Sakalis and Paige Zois.

Adelaide, meanwhile, will be without Tiarna Karambasis, who has been ruled out due to concussion protocol after a head clash in the first leg.

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After Victory face Adelaide on Saturday, attention will turn to ctrl:cyber Pitch on Sunday as Premiers Melbourne City face Central Coast Mariners in a tie that is evenly poised after a 2-2 draw in leg one.

City head coach Michael Matricciani has included Venezuela international Mariana Speckmaier and American winger Lourdes Bosch in his extended squad; Speckmaier has been sidelined for six weeks with an ankle injury, while Bosch returns to selection contention after missing the first leg of the Semi-FInals with soreness.

Central Coast head coach Emily Husband has named Taylor Ray although it remains unclear whether the versatile midfielder will feature in this Sunday’s return leg.

Ray suffered an ankle injury in her side’s Elimination Final win over Canberra United. Speaking on Dub Zone this week, Mariners captain Taren King revealed Ray was doing everything in her power to make a swift recovery and feature against City.

“Taylor Ray is a massive part of our squad, and disappointing that for both her and us, that we couldn’t get her on the field last week,” King said.

“But she’s trying her best and doing as much as she can to hopefully be right for this weekend. And yeah, we’d love to have her out there. Hopefully, she comes good.”

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Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United

Victory lead 3-1 on aggregate

Saturday, May 10 – Home of the Matildas – 2:15pm AEST

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Melbourne Victory squad: 2. Ellie WISON, 3. Claudia BUNGE, 5. Sofia SAKALIS, 7. Ella O’GRADY, 8. Alana MURPHY, 9. Holly FURPHY, 10. Alex CHIDIAC, 11. Nicki FLANNERY, 13. Sara D’APPOLONIA, 15. Emily GIELNIK, 16 Paige ZOIS, 18. Kayla MORRISON, 19. Lia PRIVITELLI, 23. Rachel LOWE, 27. Rosie CURTIS, 41. Jessica YOUNG, 50. Courtney NEWBON, 62. Geo CANDY, 66. Alana JANCEVSKI

(Two to be omitted)

Ins: 5. Sofia SAKALIS, 16. Paige ZOIS, 19. Lia PRIVITELLI

Outs: 24. Laura PICKETT

Unavailable: Nil

Adelaide United squad: 2.Emily HODGSON, 3.Meleri MULLAN, 4.Matilda MCNAMARA, 5.Sarah MORGAN, 7.Abby CLARKE, 8.Emily CONDON, 10.Chelsie DAWBER, 11.Isabel HODGSON, 12.Nanako SASAKI, 13.Ella TONKIN, 14.Lucía LEÓN, 16.Dylan HOLMES, 19.Katie BOWLER, 21.Claudia JENKINS, 22.Erin HEALY, 23.Fiona WORTS, 27.Sian DEWEY, 28.Chrissy PANAGARIS, 30.Ilona MELEGH

(Two to be omitted)

Ins: 28.Chrissy PANAGARIS (promoted)

Outs: 6.Tiarna KARAMABSIS (concussion)

Unavailable: 6.Tiarna KARAMBASIS (concussion), 17.Zoe TOLLAND (hamstring)

BIG READ: Why it’s time to put more respect on an ‘overshadowed’ team’s incredible A-Leagues feat

Melbourne City v Central Coast Mariners

2-2 on aggregate

Sunday, May 11 – ctrl:cyber Pitch – 2:15pm AEST

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Melbourne City squad: 5. Taylor OTTO, 6. Leticia McKENNA, 7. Kathryn HARVEY, 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 9. Holly McNAMARA, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 11. Emilia MURRAY, 12. Shelby McMAHON, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 14. Laura HUGHES, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 17. Mariana SPECKMAIER, 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 19. Lourdes BOSCH, 20. Caitlin KARIC, 22. Bryleeh HENRY, 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 27. Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC.

(Two to be omitted)

Ins: 17. Mariana SPECKMAIER, 19. Lourdes BOSCH (both return from injury)

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: Nil

Central Coast Mariners squad: 1 Sarah LANGMAN, 4. Jessika NASH, 5. Annabel MARTIN, 6. Isabel GOMEZ, 7. Jade PENNOCK, 8. Bianca GALIC, 10. Taylor RAY, 11. Annalise RASMUSSEN, 12. Tiana FULLER, 13. Sarah ROWE, 14. Greta KRASZULA, 16. Tess QUILLIGAN, 18. Taren KING, 19. Leia PUXTY, 20. Chloe CARMICHAEL, 21. Brooke NUNN, 22. Peta TRIMIS, 23. Lily McMAHON, 24. Shay EVANS

(Two to be omitted)

Ins: 10. Taylor RAY, 19. Leia PUXTY, 23. Lily McMAHON

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: Nil

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