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A-League Preview: Round 13 (Part Two)
Goal.com's Chris Paraskevas takes a look at the top-flight action that awaits this weekend.
Oct 30, 2009 8:47:40 AM
GOLD COAST UNITED v NORTH QUEENSLAND FURY
Saturday, 31 October 2009
Skilled Park, Robina
Local kick-off: 8.00pm (9.00pm AEDT)
Referee: Craig Zetter
A match that will attract more focus for its off rather than on-field happenings, with three sides of Skilled Park set to be closed off to the public.
The reason? Gold Coast United owner Clive Palmer’s decision to save around $100,000 a game by capping crowds at 5,000 in response to disappointingly low turn-outs for the glamour club this season.
It is a move that has provoked criticism and bewilderment throughout the football sphere and which has created a tense aura at a club that at one stage this season looked invincible.
Beware Robbie Fowler and North Queensland Fury outfit ready to pounce on any underlying doubts within a squad that also were thumped 6-0 in their last outing against the Wellington Phoenix.
Team News: Brazilian Jefferson returns from injury while fellow countryman Milson is promoted along with exciting youngster Golgol Mebrahtu for the Gold Coast. Kristian Rees and goalkeeper Jess Vanstrattan are ruled out with injury while the Fury similarly lose Ufuk Talay.
Key Battle: Gold Coast skipper Jason Culina will need to step up and dominate from midfield, something he has been unable to do in recent times in an attacking capacity, his side suffering as a result. Robbie Fowler will have a similar role in a more advanced position for his Fury outfit, as always.
Head-to-Head: Played 1: Gold Coast United wins 1, North Queensland Fury wins 0
Last Meeting: Gold Coast United 5-0 North Queensland Fury (August 15, 2009, A-League)
Prediction: I think the Fury have a genuine chance to steal a result in a climate of uncertainty on the Coast. Gold Coast United 1-1 North Queensland Fury.
SYDNEY FC v WELLINGTON PHOENIX
Sunday, 1 November 2009
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Local Kick-off: 5.00pm
Referee: Gerard Parsons
Top of the table courtesy of organization and discipline, Sydney will look to those qualities again to repel a Phoenix side who will be on a high after thrashing the Gold Coast United 6-0 at home.
It was a big day for football in New Zealand and a win at the SFS would represent another massive coup for Ricki Herbert and his men, some of whom are looking to carry club momentum onto the international stage, where a crunch World Cup Qualifier with Bahrain looms.
Sydney though have been tough to beat at home this season and won’t crumble quite as easily as United did at Westpac.
Team News: Kofi Danning and Brendan Gan are promoted for the Sky Blues and Marco Rojas and Costa Barbarouses for Wellington.
Key Battle: Alex Brosque has been Sydney’s most potent attacking weapon this season and Andrew Durante has been a colossus at the back for the Phoenix.
Head-to-Head: Played 7: Sydney FC wins 3, Wellington Phoenix wins 3 (1 draw)
Last Meeting: Sydney FC 2-0 Wellington Phoenix (August 30, 2009, A-League)
Prediction: Wellington will be riding high and the form of Paul Ifill might just see them steal a point in Sydney. Sydney FC 1-1 Wellington Phoenix.
PERTH GLORY v MELBOURNE VICTORY
Sunday, 1 November 2009
ME Bank Stadium, Perth
Local Kick-off: 4.00pm (7.00pm AEDT)
Referee: Strebre Delovski
The Glory were stunned by the Fury last week and their climb up the A-League ladder has been stalled somewhat by consecutive defeats.
They continue to produce an aesthetically pleasing brand of football though and the return of key man Andy Todd from suspension should see them retain solidity at the back.
Melbourne are meanwhile back to their usual, lethal selves in front of goal and if Archie Thompson can again start firing then it could mean a successful title defence for Ernie Merrick.
Team News: Socceroo Mile Sterjovski returns from injury and centre-back Andy Todd from suspension for Perth, though Dutch maestro Victor Sikora is out with a hamstring tear. Thai international Surat Sukha is similarly ruled out for Melbourne though centre-back Rodrigo Vargas returns.
Key Battle: Carlos Hernandez has been imperious for the Victory at the heart of their midfield this season, the creative hub for Merrick’s men. His influence will need to be stifled by Glory captain and nominal midfield destroyer Jacob Burns.
Head-to-Head: Played 13: Perth Glory wins 5, Melbourne Victory wins 4 (4 draws)
Last Meeting: Perth Glory 2-1 Melbourne Victory (August 28, 2009, A-League)
Chris Paraskevas, Goal.com
Get all the Australian football coverage you need on the Goal.com Australia homepage!
Saturday, 31 October 2009
Skilled Park, Robina
Local kick-off: 8.00pm (9.00pm AEDT)
Referee: Craig Zetter
A match that will attract more focus for its off rather than on-field happenings, with three sides of Skilled Park set to be closed off to the public.
The reason? Gold Coast United owner Clive Palmer’s decision to save around $100,000 a game by capping crowds at 5,000 in response to disappointingly low turn-outs for the glamour club this season.
It is a move that has provoked criticism and bewilderment throughout the football sphere and which has created a tense aura at a club that at one stage this season looked invincible.
Beware Robbie Fowler and North Queensland Fury outfit ready to pounce on any underlying doubts within a squad that also were thumped 6-0 in their last outing against the Wellington Phoenix.
Team News: Brazilian Jefferson returns from injury while fellow countryman Milson is promoted along with exciting youngster Golgol Mebrahtu for the Gold Coast. Kristian Rees and goalkeeper Jess Vanstrattan are ruled out with injury while the Fury similarly lose Ufuk Talay.
Key Battle: Gold Coast skipper Jason Culina will need to step up and dominate from midfield, something he has been unable to do in recent times in an attacking capacity, his side suffering as a result. Robbie Fowler will have a similar role in a more advanced position for his Fury outfit, as always.
Head-to-Head: Played 1: Gold Coast United wins 1, North Queensland Fury wins 0
Last Meeting: Gold Coast United 5-0 North Queensland Fury (August 15, 2009, A-League)
Prediction: I think the Fury have a genuine chance to steal a result in a climate of uncertainty on the Coast. Gold Coast United 1-1 North Queensland Fury.
SYDNEY FC v WELLINGTON PHOENIX
Sunday, 1 November 2009
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Local Kick-off: 5.00pm
Referee: Gerard Parsons
Top of the table courtesy of organization and discipline, Sydney will look to those qualities again to repel a Phoenix side who will be on a high after thrashing the Gold Coast United 6-0 at home.
It was a big day for football in New Zealand and a win at the SFS would represent another massive coup for Ricki Herbert and his men, some of whom are looking to carry club momentum onto the international stage, where a crunch World Cup Qualifier with Bahrain looms.
Sydney though have been tough to beat at home this season and won’t crumble quite as easily as United did at Westpac.
Team News: Kofi Danning and Brendan Gan are promoted for the Sky Blues and Marco Rojas and Costa Barbarouses for Wellington.
Key Battle: Alex Brosque has been Sydney’s most potent attacking weapon this season and Andrew Durante has been a colossus at the back for the Phoenix.
Head-to-Head: Played 7: Sydney FC wins 3, Wellington Phoenix wins 3 (1 draw)
Last Meeting: Sydney FC 2-0 Wellington Phoenix (August 30, 2009, A-League)
Prediction: Wellington will be riding high and the form of Paul Ifill might just see them steal a point in Sydney. Sydney FC 1-1 Wellington Phoenix.
PERTH GLORY v MELBOURNE VICTORY
Sunday, 1 November 2009
ME Bank Stadium, Perth
Local Kick-off: 4.00pm (7.00pm AEDT)
Referee: Strebre Delovski
The Glory were stunned by the Fury last week and their climb up the A-League ladder has been stalled somewhat by consecutive defeats.
They continue to produce an aesthetically pleasing brand of football though and the return of key man Andy Todd from suspension should see them retain solidity at the back.
Melbourne are meanwhile back to their usual, lethal selves in front of goal and if Archie Thompson can again start firing then it could mean a successful title defence for Ernie Merrick.
Team News: Socceroo Mile Sterjovski returns from injury and centre-back Andy Todd from suspension for Perth, though Dutch maestro Victor Sikora is out with a hamstring tear. Thai international Surat Sukha is similarly ruled out for Melbourne though centre-back Rodrigo Vargas returns.
Key Battle: Carlos Hernandez has been imperious for the Victory at the heart of their midfield this season, the creative hub for Merrick’s men. His influence will need to be stifled by Glory captain and nominal midfield destroyer Jacob Burns.
Head-to-Head: Played 13: Perth Glory wins 5, Melbourne Victory wins 4 (4 draws)
Last Meeting: Perth Glory 2-1 Melbourne Victory (August 28, 2009, A-League)
Chris Paraskevas, Goal.com
Get all the Australian football coverage you need on the Goal.com Australia homepage!
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