Elimination Finals Preview: Victory Star Returns from Injury, Western United Gains Double Advantage

The line-ups are confirmed for two crucial Elimination Finals this weekend, featuring Western United hosting Adelaide United and Western Sydney Wanderers clashing with Melbourne Victory in two thrilling knockout matches.

In a significant boost for Western United, head coach John Aloisi has included his side’s leading scorer Hiroshi Ibusuki and seasoned defender Tate Russell in the squad for their Friday night encounter with Adelaide at Ironbark Fields.

However, Adelaide will miss their top scorer Archie Goodwin, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained in the final round of the regular season.

This season, Goodwin has netted 13 goals, tying for the Isuzu UTE A-League Golden Boot with Sydney FC’s Adrian Segecic. His absence is a notable setback for Reds head coach Carl Veart, who is likely to start young striker Luka Jovanovic in the forward position in Tarneit this Friday.

Western Sydney’s head coach Alen Stajcic has included Mohamed Al-Taay and Jack Clisby in his extended squad as the Wanderers aim to extend their unbeaten run to 13 games, matching the club’s all-time undefeated streak against Victory at CommBank Stadium on Saturday night.

On the other hand, Victory will see the return of creative midfielder Reno Piscopo, who has recovered from injury, but will be without Young Socceroo Alexander Badolato for the match since he is on loan from the Wanderers and is ineligible to face his parent club.

Stay updated with all the latest team news below.

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Western United v Adelaide United

Friday, May 9 – Ironbark Fields – 7:35pm AEDT

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Western United Squad: 4. James DONACHIE, 5. Oliver LAVALE, 6. Tomoki IMAI, 7. Ramy NAJJARINE, 9. Hiroshi IBUSUKI, 10. Matthew GRIMALDI, 13. Tate RUSSELL, 17. Ben GARUCCIO (c), 19. Noah BOTIC, 20. Abel WALATEE, 23. Rhys BOZINOVSKI, 24. Michael RUHS, 29. Charbel SHAMOON, 30. Dylan LEONARD, 32. Angus THURGATE, 33. Matt SUTTON (gk), 37. Luke VICKERY, 44. Jordan LAUTON, 70. Michael VONJA (gk), 77. Riku DANZAKI

Ins: 9. Hiroshi IBUSUKI (returning from injury), 13. Tate RUSSELL (returning from injury)

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: Nil

Adelaide United Squad: 1. James DELIANOV, 3. Bart VRIENDS, 4. Jordan ELSEY, 6. Stefan MAUK, 7. Ryan KITTO, 8. ISAÍAS, 9. Luka JOVANOVIĆ, 10. Zach CLOUGH, 12. Jonny YULL, 13. Max VARTULI, 14. Jay BARNETT, 17. Ben FOLAMI, 19. Yaya DUKULY, 20. Dylan PIERIAS, 21. Javi LÓPEZ, 44. Ryan WHITE, 51. Panagiotis KIKIANIS, 55. Ethan ALAGICH, 58. Harry CRAWFORD, 74. Amlani TATU

(Two players to be omitted)

Ins: 58. Harry CRAWFORD, 74. Amlani TATU

Outs: 26. Archie GOODWIN (hamstring), 42. Austin AYOUBI (omitted)

Unavailable: 26. Archie GOODWIN (hamstring), 36. Panashe MADANHA (hamstring), 54. Bailey O’NEIL (individual training)

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Western Sydney Wanderers v Melbourne Victory

Saturday, May 10 – CommBank Stadium – 7:35pm AEDT

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Western Sydney Wanderers Squad: 2. Gab CLEUR, 3. Alex GERSBACH, 4. Alex BONETIG, 6. Mohamed AL-TAAY, 7. Zac SAPSFORD, 9. Marcus ANTONSSON, 13. Dean PELEKANOS, 14. Nicolas MILANOVIC, 17. Jarrod CARLUCCIO, 18. Oscar PRIESTMAN, 19. Jack CLISBY, 20. Lawrence THOMAS, 21. Aydan HAMMOND, 22. Anthony PANTAZOPOULOS, 23. Bozhidar KRAEV, 25. Josh BRILLANTE, 26. Brandon BORRELLO, 28. Josh LAWS, 30. Jordan HOLMES (GK), 64. Juan MATA

(Two players to be omitted)

Ins: 6. Mohamed AL-TAAY, 19. Jack CLISBY

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: 5. Dylan SCICLUNA (injured), 8. Jeong TAE-WOOK (injured)

Melbourne Victory Squad: 3. Adama TRAORE, 4. Lachlan JACKSON, 5. Brendan HAMILL, 6. Ryan TEAGUE, 7. Daniel ARZANI, 8. Zinedine MACHACH, 9. Nikolaos VERGOS, 10. Bruno FORNAROLI, 11. Clerismario SANTOS RODRIGUES, 14. Jordi VALADON, 16. Joshua INSERRA, 17. Nishan VELUPILLAY, 18. Fabian MONGE, 19. Jing REEC, 21. Roderick MIRANDA, 22. Joshua RAWLINS, 25. Jack DUNCAN, 27. Reno PISCOPO, 28. Kasey BOS, 30. Daniel GRASKOSKI

(Two players to be omitted)

Ins: 18. Fabian MONGE (promoted), 19. Jing REEC (promoted), 27. Reno PISCOPO (returning from injury)

Outs: 23. Alexander BADOLATO (ineligible to face parent club)

Unavailable: 1. Mitch LANGERAK (injured), 23. Alexander BADOLATO (ineligible to face parent club)

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