Experienced Melbourne City midfielder Andreas Kuen has hailed the impact of excitement machine Marcus Younis, who looms as the reigning A-League champions’ wildcard in Saturday’s do-or-die affair against Auckland FC.
City’s title defence will come to an end if the Melbourne club falls short in the elimination at Go Media Stadium, where Auckland has won both of the games played between the teams at the venue.
“We know what we are facing on the weekend … we need to be better, ” Austrian import Kuen said on Wednesday.
“It’s not an easy trip to go there. It’s a long travel and everything. They play well at their home ground, but we need to look at ourselves and to bring our ‘A’ game this weekend.”
If City – 2-1 weekend losers at AAMI Park to Adelaide United – is to produce an “A” grade performance, it’s likely that 20-year-old winger Younis will provide the inspiration.
Since joining the Melbourne outfit in January on loan from Danish club Brondby, Younis has delivered in spades.
The former Western Sydney prodigy has scored eight goals and provided five assists in 14 appearances in all competitions for City.
It’s form that has Younis being considered by some as a selection bolter for the Socceroos’ FIFA World Cup squad.
“I like him on the pitch and off the pitch,” Kuen said of Younis.
“He’s a good guy, very explosive on the pitch, always goes one against one … I like these players who are direct in their playing style.
“He’s done really well since he came to us (and) helped us a lot with goals and assists.
“He performed really amazingly in ACL (AFC Champions League Elite) and also in the A-League.
“I hope that he can go to the World Cup and wish him good luck for the future.”
