Manchester City has announced they will tour Australian shores in July, and the itinerary now includes a showdown against its sister club, Melbourne City FC.
The two clubs owned by City Football Group will square off on Saturday 18 July at Robina Stadium on the Gold Coast in a friendly, with tickets available on Friday for as little as $25 here.
The English Premier League giants will be basing themselves in the Queensland tourist hub for 11 days as they prepare for the International Champions Cup at the MCG against Real Madrid and AS Roma.
The training camp will also serve as a platform for their assault on the 2015-16 Premier League season which will begin just two weeks after the final game against Real.
Manuel Pellegrini’s men will also be taking on Adelaide United FC in a friendly, but unfortunately the match will be behind closed doors with no access for the general public.
The Manchester City squad is loaded with superstar names – the likes of Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure and Joe Hart showing off their talents to a country where football is the fastest growing game.
“I’ve thought many times of going (to Australia) but it has never been physically possible so it’s good the club is taking us there,” captain Vincent Kompany said.
“We get to see our brothers in arms over there, so it’s a good thing for us. I think the people in Australia will be happy to see us.”
The A-League club will be thrilled to test themselves against one of the world’s best sides, with marquee player Robert Koren and player-of-the-year Aaron Mooy expected to lead the way.
“We couldn’t be more pleased to be welcoming our sister club Manchester City FC to Australia and indeed to be playing against them in a historic game.” Melbourne City CEO Scott Munn said.
“As an A-League Club well acquainted with the area having played here several times, we know that the facilities on offer in the Gold Coast are second to none and this opportunity is a fantastic way for both teams to get ready for our respective seasons ahead.”
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
"Well that just means they signed up to a stupid legal structure." "I would be unhappy at this situation if iI were a Melbourne City fan and if I were a non aligned Melbournite it would hardly make me feel like supporting Melbourne city moving forward." "It would certainly help their struggling Australian franchise more than playing on the gold coast......I can’t help but get the impression that nobody at CFG really gives a rat’s rear end about Melbourne City and that vibe is poisen for growing their fan base." Exact this!! Well said batou. Nailed it. The point is crystal. Some people want to overlook the plain truth that CFG have done their heart project here yet another major disservice..and that it doesn't take a brain surgeon to have the foresight to avoid entering into odious legal agreements at the expense of their credibility. Then again no point in arguing with phoneys who don't attend their own clubs grand final because they are dominated by their spouse. One would hope that being pu$5y whipped is worth missing the best MVFC-Swan st experience in terms of atmosphere in the history of the HAL.
Batou
Guest
That would be fair and reasonable if we were talking about tin pot teams here, but since this is man city they would have considerable negotiating power, especially since this ICC is nothing in its own right and is only of interest because of the calibre of the teams competing. Personally I don't really care and am as far from being 'outraged' as is possible but I think I would be unhappy at this situation if iI were a Melbourne City fan and if I were a non aligned Melbournite it would hardly make me feel like supporting Melbourne city moving forward.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
What are you on about? 1. The ICC has organised an off-season tournament. 2. It invites teams to participate 3. 3 ICC matches will be played in Melbourne 4. The ICC Terms & Conditions of participation say: none of the teams participating in Melbourne can play friendlies in Victoria before the ICC tournament Seems reasonable & logical to me. This is not ManCity's tournament. If ManCity were to organise their own tour Australia and they didn't play MelbCity in Melb then I understand the outrage & hysteria. But, for this? Wow. Some people seem to just be permanently outraged.
Batou
Guest
Well that just means they signed up to a stupid legal structure. Can you imagine City saying to the organisers of this (globally prestigious) ICC, "we want to play our sister club in Melbourne" and being told "in that case you're out. We've got Stoke City lined up as a replacement." of course not. They would have got their way. It's not the champions league! Doesn't change anything.
Batou
Guest
Yep, exactly. Makes no sense from a Melbourne city point of view but makes sense from a Manchester point of view. I do also agree with horto above though that MC have been thoroughly sold short in this whole situation. Surely City vs City in Melbourne at some stage during the trip would have been obvious for CFG? It would certainly help their struggling Australian franchise more than playing on the gold coast or playing their local rivals. I can't help but get the impression that nobody at CFG really gives a rat's rear end about Melbourne City and that vibe is poisen for growing their fan base.
Batou
Guest
Horto, if Josh lost the chip on his shoulder then there wouldn't be much left!
Realfootball
Guest
My only hope is that I get a ticket. Anyone who isn't aware of the reasons for this decision is poorly informed.
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
Egg
Mitcher
Guest
See above.
144
Roar Guru
I say that its good they are moving around australia
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
Wow how can "some people" be so sociopathic.. Mitcher you're obviously not a heart fan. Go check out their reactions on social media and then agree that there's nothing to be outraged about. Geez who woulda thought id be sticking up for those nuggets.. Just cause it's a legal mess up doesn't mean it's not a moral and a PR mess up also.
Mitcher
Guest
Can't agree with you more Fuss (a combination of letters I never imagined I would concoct). Particularly if you're on the money about that legal clause. Some people are so hungry for outrage.
Mitcher
Guest
Exactly! They could just as easily have quietly asked a side to have a training hit out behind closed doors (as in Adelaide) during their camp, which is, after all, based imon the Gold Coast. Instead they're giving football fans on the Gold Coast an opportunity to come down and have a look.
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
Did I say cellar dweller? Sorry I meant basket case lead by a predictable megalomaniac with zero man management skills and tactics (if you exclude Catenaccio). At the rate CFG are going your little prediction will take another 20 years to come to fruition.. By which time don't be surprised if MV get bought out by an equally big club.
Josh
Guest
Cellar Dweller is rich coming from a team who had to wait 5 years to win something. Face it Melbourne City is going to become the bigger team in Melbourne whether you like it or not.
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
Sorry master fuss the voice of reason. Regardless of legalities it's still a massive lost opportunity for a club in dire need of a membership and attendance boost and media attention. And your point shouldn't detract from the fact that this game being played on the Gold Coast is a JOKE. One could argue that with all the resources that CFG have they might just have preempted yet another huge PR blunder on their part. Next time it would be nice if "some people" could show the cajones to address me directly. Let me finish by saying "some people are weasels". Not you of course, just "some people".
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
Bingo at work. I support the HAL and the rise of football in Australia more than I hate heart. CFG could and should really make some truly massive waves in terms of bringing a huge name to the HAL, let's hope it's "when" and not "if". And yes, providing MV continues to show them who's daddy lol.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
What a shame people work themselves into a state of outrage & hysteria without first seeking out possible explanations from key people making decisions. Why is ManCity vs MelbCity not being played in Melbourne? Because of legal reasons - under the ICC terms and conditions, ManCity, Roma & Real Madrid are unable to play any other friendly matches in Victoria. Simple, logical, reasonable explanation. If someone had bothered to ask a relevant party, the outrage & hysteria could have been avoided.
At work
Roar Rookie
I see your point that this is a missed opportunity for Melb City, as they need a bit of a kick start. Even if you hate a club, you still want it to be strong off the park, as long as your own team is stronger in everyway
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
The whole whining and whinging about MVFC taking players from western sydney is boring. Also if u have the ability to decipher my point, I'm sticking up for them! Stating that their onfield abilities are pathetic is simply a fact.. Stating that if ANY club should have a proper bums on seats marquee it's heart, is simply a fact.. Or do you beg to differ josh? U think that they would be remotely competitive in the champions cup or that Koren is a worthy and credible marquee? Get real mate and lose the wsw cellar dweller chip on your shoulder.