Melbourne City beat local NPL Victoria side Oakleigh Cannons 2-0 in a pre-season friendly at Jack Edwards Reserve on Sunday, with new recruits Matheus Rossetto, Emiliano Marcondes and Awer Mabil all starting for the A-League club.
Andrew Nabbout put City ahead midway through the first half, converting from close range after Oakleigh had blocked City's opening effort. Goalkeeper James Nieuwenhuizen made a smart save soon after to keep the lead intact.
Coach Aurelio Vidmar made a change at half-time, sending on Mathew Baker for left-back Peter Antoniou. Baker was involved in City's second goal, collecting the ball from a set-piece and finding defender Liam Bonetig, who guided his shot beyond the Oakleigh keeper to make it 2-0.
Defender Harrison Delbridge went close to adding a third for City, with Mabil creating further chances for his teammates before the final whistle.
The win formed part of City's preparations for the 2026/27 Isuzu UTE A-League Men season under Vidmar. Mabil, a Socceroo, joined the club on a three-year deal from Spanish Segunda Division side CD Castellon, according to the club's signing announcement. Marcondes, a Danish midfielder who came through FC Nordsjælland's academy before moving to England in 2018, arrived from Norwich City for the new campaign.
The result was one of three pre-season match reports published by the A-Leagues over the weekend. Western Sydney Wanderers beat Central Coast Mariners 5-1 at Wanderers Park during their annual Members Season launch, while Perth Glory beat Adelaide United 2-0 at Hay Park in Bunbury as part of Perth's 2026 Regional Roadie series. Glory and Adelaide were due to meet again the following Sunday.
Matchweek 1 of the 2026/27 Isuzu UTE A-League Men season is on the horizon.