Western United and Newcastle Jets go head-to-head in the first ever FFA Cup Play-Off at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night (7:45pm kick off).
For the first time in the competition’s history the bottom four sides from the previous Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s season are forced to play off for two spot in the Round of 32.
After finishing 10th and 11th in the league last season, United and the Jets now play off for the right to face Wellington Phoenix in the Round of 32.
Both sides will have new managers in the dugout with John Aloisi and Arthur Papas taking charge of first competitive matches for United and Jets respectively on Saturday night.
Former Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Heart boss Aloisi will be back on the touchline for the first time in three years after taking the United job in July.
The former Socceroos forward has added a number of new faces to his squad including: Jamie Young, Leo Lacroix, Dylan Wenzel-Halls, Rene Krhin, Ben Garuccio, Christian Theoharous, Noah Botic, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Neil Kilkenny and Aleksandar Prijovic.
Western United have played three friendlies against Melbourne City in pre-season, taking a draw and two losses leading into Saturday’s match - which will be their first ever in the FFA Cup.
Newcastle Jets also come into Saturday’s match with a new-look squad after boss Papas added a raft of fresh faces over the off season.
Dane Ingham, Jordan Elsey, Matthew Jurman, Mario Arques, Beka Mikeltadze, Olivier Boumal, Daniel Penha, Mohamed Al-Taay, Dylan Murnane, Kosta Grozos, Michael Weier, Savvas Siatravanis, Riley Warland, Eli Babalj and Samuel Silvera have all arrived as part of a revamped Jets squad ahead of the new season.
The Jets have played three pre-season fixtures to date, taking wins against Macarthur FC and APIA Leichhardt, while suffering a defeat to Sydney FC.
The Jets' best ever run in the competition saw them reach the Quarter Finals in 2019, defeating Melbourne Victory and Edgeworth Eagles before being eliminated by eventual Winners, Adelaide United.
You can catch all the action from Friday’s match live and free via 10 Play.
Western United vs Newcastle Jets
Date: Saturday, 13 October 2021, 7:45pm AEDT
Venue: GMHBA Stadium, Geelong
Broadcast: Live and free via 10 Play
Tickets: Buy here
International viewers can stream the game via our official YouTube channel.
