A Dominant Cup Start
Melbourne City FC has officially launched its 2026/27 competitive campaign with a decisive 3-0 victory over the Weston Bears in the Australia Cup Round of 32. The match, held in the Hunter region, showcased the depth of the club’s youth development pipeline, with a starting XI comprised almost entirely of City Academy graduates.
The scoring opened in the 6th minute when Lawrence Wong struck from range. Despite a spirited effort from the hosts, City maintained composure, with goalkeeper James Nieuwenhuizen anchoring a disciplined defensive unit led by Harrison Delbridge. Besian Kutleshi extended the lead in the 80th minute with a clinical low strike, before Medin Memeti sealed the 3-0 win five minutes later following a fluid team passing sequence.
Strategic Squad Integration
Manager Aurelio Vidmar opted for an academy-heavy lineup, with Nathaniel Atkinson captaining the side in the absence of club skipper Aziz Behich, who is currently on post-World Cup leave. The match also served as a debut stage for young talents like Roland Ballah and Isiah Boston, reinforcing the club’s reliance on homegrown talent as they transition into the new season.
The focus now shifts to the Australia Cup Round of 16, with the official draw scheduled for Thursday night. Before returning to A-League duties, the squad is set to face Palermo FC in a pre-season friendly in Perth on August 7.
Squad Number Updates
In addition to on-field preparations, the club has finalized its squad numbering for the 2026/27 season. Notable changes include Macklin Freke taking the number 1 shirt following Patrick Beach’s transfer to Troyes. Japanese midfielder Takeshi Kanamori has made history by selecting number 77, the highest number ever worn by a senior player in the club’s history. Several academy graduates, including Besian Kutleshi (moving to 14) and Kavian Rahmani (moving to 24), have also transitioned to new shirt numbers, signaling their increased integration into the senior setup.