2013 Hyundai A-League Championship winning duo Michael McGlinchey and Joshua Rose will be part of the first ever Foxtel A-League All Stars fixture when the select team takes on world heavyweights Manchester United at ANZ Stadium on Saturday 20 July.
2013 Hyundai A-League Championship winning duo Michael McGlinchey and Joshua Rose will be part of the first ever Foxtel A-League All Stars fixture when the select team takes on world heavyweights Manchester United at ANZ Stadium on Saturday 20 July.
New Zealand international midfielder McGlinchey and Rockhampton-born flyer Rose were today presented with their Foxtel A-League All Stars kits at a media launch at the Central Coast Mariners Centre of Excellence in Tuggerah.
The duo will link with the rest of the Foxtel A-League All Stars squad on Friday as the team begins its preparation for the friendly clash with the ‘Red Devils- infront of a sell-out Sydney crowd.
Rose said the opportunity to test himself against some of the best players in the world – including the likes of Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck – is a challenge he will relish.
“It will be a fantastic experience and it puts all the hard work from last season into perspective,” Rose said. “It-s just a great feeling overall.”
“I watch these players play on telly week in, week out, it-s just going to be a great experience to come up against these guys and to test ourselves.”
Rose-s eldest son Jai is a massive Manchester United fan and is buzzing with the news that his Dad may line up against one of his favourite players, Wayne Rooney.
“Jai-s been talking about it for the last few weeks that he-s going to back Man United,” he said. “It will be good for him to see his Dad play against Man United. It will make him very proud I think.
The crafty McGlinchey is no stranger to the global stage, having already been part of the All Whites squad at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and the New Zealand Olympic team at the 2012 London Games.
A Manchester United fan since he was a boy, McGlinchey said he will be aiming to make an impression against David Moyes- men.
“I am obviously very proud to be selected in the team. It-s a massive honour. It-s just an added bonus that it-s against Manchester United, the team that I-ve supported so I am looking forward to it.”
“I think the A-League-s got a lot stronger over the years and I think we-re at a good level now where we can test ourselves against these guys and sort of see where we are. Hopefully we can put a good performance on and show the world that we-re a good league.”
Four players from the Central Coast Mariners 2013 Grand Final winning team were originally selected for the Foxtel A-League All Stars. However, with Mathew Ryan moving to Belgian heavyweights Club Brugge, Patrick Zwaanswijk retiring, Trent Sainsbury anticipated to be part of the Qantas Socceroos- EAFF East Asian Cup squad, and Pedj Bojic released (now with Sydney FC), McGlinchey and Rose will fly the flag for the Club throughout the eagerly anticipated contest.
The Foxtel A-League All Stars debut match against Manchester United at ANZ Stadium, Sydney on 20 July 2013 (kick-off 7:30pm AEST) will be broadcast live and exclusive on the Seven Network nationally.
Michael McGlinchey
Joshua Rose
