A-League Preview: Round 12 (Part One)

Goal.com's Chris Paraskevas previews the weekend's A-League action.

Oct 23, 2009 4:19:50 AM

More On :  Sydney FC vs Brisbane Roar, Melbourne Victory vs Adelaide United, Wellington Phoenix vs Gold Coast United, Newcastle Jets vs Central Coast Mariners, North Queensland Fury vs Perth Glory
Australian A-League Logo

NEWCASTLE JETS v CENTRAL COAST MARINERS

Friday, 23 October 2009
Energy Australia Stadium, Newcastle
Local kick-off: 8.00pm
Don't Miss
Referee: Strebre Delovski

Newcastle Jets boss Branko Culina desperately needs a victory to alleviate the growing pressure generated from a six match winless streak.

The F3 derby presents the opportune moment to do just that but given the general volatility of these clashes, it could depend on any number of factors out of the control of the veteran coach.

Lawrie McKinna and his Central Coast Mariners outfit provide an antithesis to the Jets, who are characterized by flashes of brilliance and frustrating inconsistency.

While the Mariners don’t produce the same aesthetically pleasing brand of football, their greatest virtues lie in work ethic and discipline over the long-term.

It’s going to be a clash of styles and philosophies in more ways than one at Energy Australia Stadium.

Team News: Donny De Groot, Jobe Wheelhouse, Sean Rooney, Jason Hoffman and Jason Naidovski are all promoted for the Jets, whilst for the Mariners its Andrew Clark, Brad Porter and Ahmad Elrich.

Key Battle: Tarek Elrich remains one of the few truly adventurous full-backs in the A-League and his output is absolutely crucial to his side’s chances this season. He’ll look to get forward down the right flank and will come up against Socceroo Dean Heffernan, who has been consistent at left-back for the Mariners this season and is a fierce competitor.

Head-to-Head: Played 18: Newcastle Jets wins 6, Central Coast Mariners wins 5 (7 draws)

Last Meeting: Central Coast Mariners 1-1 Newcastle Jets (August 14, 2009, A-League)

Prediction: The Mariners will display their typical resolve on the road, where they have been impressive this season and walk away with a point. Newcastle Jets 1-1 Central Coast Mariners.

MELBOURNE VICTORY v ADELAIDE UNITED

Saturday, 24 October 2009
Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
Local kick-off: 6.30pm
Referee: Ben Williams

History – namely, the fact that Melbourne have beaten Adelaide seven times in a row – is well and truly against the Reds at Etihad Stadium, where a slowly improving Melbourne Victory will be looking to grab their second win over their rivals this season.

It was back in Round 7 that the revival of Melbourne’s season started with an away win over Aurelio Vidmar’s side, the defending champions since returning to the top part of the table and regaining some of their characteristic attacking swagger.

The Reds have meanwhile failed to bring any consistency to their campaign, perhaps a reflection of the lack of quality and depth of a squad went relatively unfurnished during the off-season.

They did manage a character-building victory over Sydney last week though, despite being ten men down and that should give Vidmar something to work with heading into this next clash.

Team News: The Victory lose key men Tom Pondeljak and Rodrigo Vargas to injury, with youngster Matthew Foschini and Thai veteran Sutee Suksomkit replacing them. Adelaide captain Travis Dodd returns from injury while Daniel Mullen, Inseob Shin and Lucas Pantelis are promoted, Fabian Barbiero suspended after picking up a straight red against Sydney last week.

Key Battle: Cristiano’s return to goal-scoring form could be the spark that Adelaide need to go on something of a run but he will be faced with the task of winning a duel with traditional archetypal villain and Melbourne captain Kevin Muscat, the scourge of Adelaide.

Head-to-Head: Played 19: Melbourne Victory wins 11, Adelaide United wins 5 (3 draws)

Last Meeting: Adelaide United 0-2 Melbourne Victory (September 18, 2009, A-League)

Prediction: Melbourne have plenty of quality and a psychological advantage over the Reds that will still linger after two Grand Final victories over them. The return to form of Archie Thompson should see Melbourne home, along with the influence of Carlos Hernandez in midfield. Melbourne Victory 3-0 Adelaide United.

NORTH QUEENSLAND FURY v PERTH GLORY

Saturday, 24 October 2009
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
Local kick-off: 7.30pm (8.30pm AEDT)
Referee: Peter Green

Still without a victory at home, things aren’t about to get easier for Ian Ferguson’s embattled North Queensland Fury outfit when they welcome a quality-laden Perth Glory to Townsville.

The visitors were unlucky away against the Gold Coast last round, where a slick display should have seen them walk away with a point.

They’ll be confident of taking all three in Queensland, where Robbie Fowler will need to produce something truly special to inspire his side to a vital first victory in front of an embryonic fan-base – and not for the first time this season.

Perth are shaping up as genuine title contenders and if they are to live up to that tag, these are the sort of games they’ll need to win.

Team News: Mile Sterjovski returns from injury for the Glory while Osama Malik is promoted for the Fury, Jack Hingert and Beau Busch dropped.

Key Battle: Robbie Fowler will as always be the man who the Fury look to for goals. He saved them last weekend from an embarrassing home defeat to the Phoenix and he will be required to do so again against an impressive Perth outfit, though Socceroo Chris Coyne will stand in his way at centre-back.

Head-to-Head: Played 1: North Queensland Fury wins 0, Perth Glory wins 0 (1 draw)

Last Meeting: Perth Glory 1-1 North Queensland (October 3, 2009, A-League)

Prediction: Expect the Fury to battle hard but they'll be outclassed in midfield, where they've struggled this season. North Queensland Fury 0-2 Perth Glory.


Chris Paraskevas, Goal.com

Get all the Australian football coverage you need on the Goal.com Australia homepage!
Follow Goal.com on Twitter
Follow Goal.com on Facebook
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
Comments
 
Advertisement
play pause open close
Inside Goal.Com
  1. Capello remains one of the greats of the game Capello remains one of the greats of the game

    After tasting success wherever he had gone previously, the coach will look upon his time at Wembley as an incomplete job rather than a complete failure

  2. Can Suarez repeat Cantona's grand comeback? Can Suarez repeat Cantona's grand comeback?

    The divisive Uruguayan can look to history when he starts against United on Saturday for the first time since receiving an eight-match ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra

  3. Key battles: Manchester United v Liverpool Key battles: Manchester United v Liverpool

    The former Reds defender believes that the Uruguayan must put controversy to the back of his mind when his team face the champions

  4. The importance of Champions League qualification The importance of Champions League qualification

    The Ruhr side's remarkable run in Europe's elite tournament saw their revenue unexpectedly soar last season, but some teams are structured to depend on such results to survive

  5. Cartoon: Capello's managerial merry-go-round Cartoon: Capello's managerial merry-go-round

    Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day ...

 
Advertisement
Advertisement