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Former Socceroo John Aloisi is set to make his first appearance for the Melbourne Heart, but the club has decided against risking Michael Beauchamp in their A-League clash with North Queensland at AAMI Park on Saturday.
Aloisi is likely to start on the bench, having recovered from off-season hamstring surgery, as the Heart chase their first win.
Coach John van `t Schip is set to take an unchanged line-up into the match against the Fury, resisting the temptation to rush Beauchamp back from an ankle problem.
While the Socceroos defender has trained this week, van `t Schip has decided to exercise caution with an injury that also ruled Beauchamp out of Australia’s friendlies against Switzerland and Poland.
“Beauchamp’s not going to play. We had a good replacement last week in Brendan Hamill – he did very well,” van `t Schip said.
“He did very well with the help of Simon (Colosimo) next to him. An experienced player and a young player together – I think it’s a very good combination.
“Hopefully he can make the next step.”
So too, hopes van `t Schip, can the Heart after they were denied victory last weekend by the controversial penalty awarded to Perth Glory striker Michael Baird, who has since been banned for two weeks for diving.
While agreeing simulation needed to be stopped, van `t Schip believes the A-League’s hardline on diving needs to be enshrined in one proper rule for all instances, rather than risk inconsistency by relying on the match review panel and television to pick incidents up.
“In Holland they had it (examining video evidence after matches) as well, now it’s gone away again – some periods they have a harder look on it, then they don’t do it any more,” van `t Schip said.
“The consequence of being the same (punishment) every time, that’s the most important thing. If it’s clear, then we know.”
The Fury welcome back defender Eric Akoto from suspension, after his send-off at the same venue a fortnight ago for pushing over Melbourne Victory captain Kevin Muscat.
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