With International Duty yet again wreaking havoc in the A-League, those sides without a strong reliance on their youth will certainly hold the upper hand in round 18 of the Hyundai A-League.
Friday, 3 February 2012
Adelaide United v Wellington Phoenix
Venue: Hindmarsh Stadium
Local kick-off: 7:30pm
Adelaide United face a tough ask as they open the round Friday night against a red-hot Wellington Phoenix.
Although Adelaide only sit four points off of a finals berth, John Kosmina's side will need a serious patch of purple form to find themselves contenders for the top six. With several players missing through injury or Olyroo duty the likely return of United ace Cassio will be warmly welcomed. That said, the likes of Bruce Djite will need to step up and make the most of Adelaide's chance - after squandering several last round, costing the side all three points.
Wellington Phoenix are on cloud nine. Previously an away game would present a speed hump in the sides form, but on the back of a barely unbeatable run, Ricki Herbert's men now sit in second place. With a solid defence and confident attack, a win is in their favour despite being away from home. However if the Kiwi's do not show United due respect they could be made to pay.
Referees:
Gerard Parsons / Daniel Goodwin / Curtis Wordsworth / Regis Queffelec
Head-to-Head:
All matches (played 15): Adelaide United wins 7, Wellington Phoenix wins 3 (5 draws)
Adelaide United squad:
1.Eugene Galekovic (gk) (c), 2.Osama Malik, 3.Nigel Boogaard, 6.Cassio, 7.Zenon Caravella, 8.Evgeniy Levchenko, 9.Sergio van Dijk, 10.Dario Vidosic, 11.Bruce Djite, 13.Ricardo Da Silva, 14.Cameron Watson, 15.Jacob Melling, 17.Iain Ramsay, 18.Fabian Barbiero, 21.Francisco Usucar, 30.Paul Izzo (gk)
*one to be omitted*
In: Cassio (returns from injury), Paul Izzo (gk) (promoted), 8.Evgeniy Levchenko(returns from injury)
Out: Antony Golec (Qantas Australian U23 duty), Daniel Mullen (Qantas Australian U23 duty), Mark Birighitti (gk) (Qantas Australian U23 duty)
Unavailable: Spase Dilevski (groin), Milan Susak (hamstring), Jon McKain (knee)
Wellington Phoenix squad:
1. Mark Paston (GK), 2. Manny Muscat, 3. Tony Lochhead, 6. Tim Brown, 7. Leo Bertos, 8. Paul Ifill, 9. Chris Greenacre, 11. Daniel, 15. Cameron Lindsay, 17. Vince Lia, 18. Ben Sigmund, 19. Jimmy Downey, 20, Tony Warner (GK), 21. Dani Sanchez, 22. Andrew Durante (C), 24. Alex Smith
*one to be omitted*
In: Cameron Lindsay (promoted).
Out: Nil.
Unavailable: Lucas Pantelis (knee injury - indefinite). Nicky Ward (hamstring – two to three weeks).
Saturday, 4 February 2012
Central Coast Mariners v Brisbane Roar
Venue: Bluetongue Stadium
Local kick-off: 5:30pm
The Central Coast look to continue their firm hold on first place when they host Brisbane Saturday evening.
The Marins will be fresh after their fixture last round was cancelled for the second consecutive season due to excessive rain. Despite having a consistently strong squad all camoaign, Graham Arnold will have to manage without three of his star youths, particularly goalkeeper Matthew Ryan, as well as suspended veteran John Hutchinson. Although the Coast seem clear favourites, Brisbane will definitely cause the home side trouble.
The Roar suffered a shock loss last round to out of form Newcastle, cementing theories the Jets are their 'bogey' side. Yet with the return of top goal scorer Besart Berisha and second place firmly in their sight, Brisbane will bring their A game (unfortunately without their three Olyroos).
Referees:
Kris Griffiths Jones / Shaun Evans / Rod Allen / Stephen Lucas
Head-to-Head:
All matches (played 25): Central Coast Mariners wins 4, Brisbane Roar wins 12 (9 draws)
Central Coast Mariners squad:
20. Justin Pasfield (Gk), 2. Daniel McBreen, 3. Josh Rose, 4. Pedj Bojic, 5. Brad Porter, 6. Patrick Zwaanswijk, 8. Rostyn Griffiths, 9. Bernie Ibini, 10. Adriano Pellegrino, 12. Troy Hearfield, 13. Stuart Musialik, 14. Michael McGlinchey, 15. Brad McDonald, 16. Trent Sainsbury, 17. Tomas Rogic, 18. Alex Wilkinson (C), 21. Sam Gallagher, 23. Adam Kwasnik, 31. Brody Crane (Gk)
*four to be omitted*
In: 5. Brad Porter, 10. Adriano Pellegrino, 13. Stuart Musialik, 15. Brad McDonald, 16. Trent Sainsbury, 17. Tomas Rogic, 21. Sam Gallagher (all promoted), 31. Brody Crane (short term contract)
Out: 1. Mathew Ryan (Gk) (Qantas Australian U23 duty), 11. Oliver Bozanic (Qantas Australian U23 duty), 22. Mustafa Amini (Qantas Australian U23 duty)
Unavailable: 7. John Hutchinson (suspended - 1 week)
Brisbane Roar Squad:
Michael Theoklitos (GK), 2. Matt Smith, 3. Shane Stefanutto (C), 5. Ivan Franjic, 6. Erik Paaratlu, 7. Besart Berisha, 8. Massimo Murdocca, 9. Kofi Danning, 10. Henrique, 11. Issey Nakajima-Farran, 16. Mohamed Adnan, 18. Luke Brattan, 20. Andrew Redmayne (GK), 21. James Meyer, 22. Thomas Broich, 24. Nick Fitzgerald.
*one to be omitted*
In: 7. Besart Berisha (returns from suspension), 11. Issey Nakajima-Farran (promoted)
Out: 14. Rocky Visconte (Qantas Australian U23 duty), 4. Matt Jurman (Qantas Australian U23 duty), 17. Mitch Nichols (Qantas Australian U23 duty)
Unavailable: 19. Jack Hingert (ankle injury - 1 week)
Saturday, 4 February 2012
Melbourne Heart v Melbourne Victory
Venue: AAMI Park
Local kick-off: 7:45pm
The Melbourne derby comes to town Saturday night as the Heart 'host' Melbourne Victory.
Melbourne Heart have had a tough few weeks, and things only looks to be getting tougher; with coach John Van t' Schip announcing his resignation at the seasons end, the absence of Mate Dugandzic, Aziz Behich, and Jason Hoffman to the Olyroos, as well as several others through injury, and all on the back of a hard away loss to Wellington Phoenix. The positives for the Heart are few, but head to head they hold the upper hand and despite loosing last round their place amongst the top six will give them confidence.
The Victory certainly fair no better in recent weeks, they currently sit in 8th position and are seemingly unable to hold down three points, despite taking the lead first in both of their last games. Tensions at the club will be high and the size of their unavailable list will do nothing for their prospects coming into the close of the season. However, with the backs against the wall this could prove the Victory's time to shine.
Referees:
Jarred Gillett / David Walsh / Nathan MacDonald / Alex Azcurra
Head-to-Head:
All matches (played 5): Melbourne Heart wins 2, Melbourne Victory wins 1 (2 draws)
Melbourne Heart squad:
1.Clint Bolton (GK), 2.Michael Marrone, 3.Brendan Hamill, 4.Simon Colosimo, 7.Rutger Worm, 8.Kristian Sarkies, 9.Maycon, 10.Wayne Srhoj, 11.Alex Terra, 13.Jonatan Germano, 15.David Williams, 18.Curtis Good, 19.Eli Babalj, 26.Paul Reid, 27.Craig Goodwin, 30.Sebastian Mattei (GK)
*one to be omitted*
In: Wayne Srhoj, Paul Reid, Craig Goodwin, Maycon (all promoted)
Out: Matt Thompson (knee – 4 weeks), 16.Aziz Behich (Qantas Australian U23 duty), 17.Jason Hoffman (Qantas Australian U23 duty), 23.Mate Dugandzic (Qantas Australian U23 duty)
Unavailable: Fred (groin – 2 weeks), Nick Kalmar (back – 2 weeks), Kliment Taseski (foot – 1 week)
Melbourne Victory squad:
1.Tando Velaphi (gk), 3. Fabio, 4. Petar Franjic, 5.Mark Milligan, 6. Leigh Broxham, 7. Matthew Kemp, 8. Grant Brebner, 9. Jean Carlos Solorzano, 10. Archie Thompson, 11. Marco Rojas, 12. Rodrigo Vargas, 16.Carlos Hernandez, 17.Jimmy Jeggo , 18. Danny Allsopp, 21. Ante Covic (GK), 22. Harry Kewell, 23. Adrian Leijer (c)
*one to be omitted*
In: 12. Rodrigo Vargas (promoted), 17.Jimmy Jeggo (promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: 14. Billy Celeski (groin), 15. Tom Pondeljak (back), 20. Lawrence Thomas (GK) (omitted) 13. Diogo Ferreira (Qantas Australian U23 duty), 2. Matthew Foschini (Qantas Australian U23 duty), 19. Isaka Cernak (Qantas Australian U23 duty)
Sunday, 5 February 2012
Sydney FC v Newcastle Jets
Venue: Sydney Football Stadium
Local kick-off: 5:00pm
Sydney FC take inter-state rivals Newcastle Jets on Sunday as they look to climb their way back into more comfortable territory inside the top six.
Sydney seem to have put their slump in form behind them, muscling out yet another late batch of goals to draw with Melbourne Victory away from home. Head to head, the Jets seem to have presented no previous challenge for FC, but off the back of a surprise away win in Brisbane, and sign Sydney missing four integral players, Viteslav Lavicka will urge his side to be cautious.
Newcastle will enter the match more confident than seventh place would suggest. They have taken four points from their last two and will only be missing one player to International Duty. Skipper Jobe Wheelhouse's return after a virus has had an immediate impact on the away side, causing a last gasp turn around in form - which could see them tip their opponents and pop into 6th position. Sydney will need to minimise his impact if they are to expect all three points here.
Referees:
Matt Gillett / Ryan Gallagher / Lance Greenshields / Matthew Cropper
Head-to-Head:
All matches (played 21): Sydney FC wins 12, Newcastle Jets wins 3 (6 draws)
Sydney FC squad:
1. Liam Reddy, 3. Jamie Coyne, 4. Pascal Bosschaart, 5. Michael Beauchamp, 6. Hirofumi Moriyasu, 7. Brett Emerton, 8. Karol Kisel, 9. Bruno Cazarine, 10. Nick Carle, 15. Terry McFlynn (c), 16. Joel Chianese, 19. Mark Bridge, 20. Ivan Necevski, 21. Scott Jamieson, 22. Nathan Sherlock, 23. Rhyan Grant, 24. Mitch Mallia
*two to be omitted*
In: Joel Chianese (promoted), Mitch Mallia (promoted), Jamie Coyne (promoted), Nathan Sherlock (promoted)
Out: Dimi Petratos (Qantas Australian U23 duty), Sebastian Ryall (Qantas Australian U23 duty)
Unavailable: Shannon Cole (hip, 1 week), Terry Antonis (hamstring, 4 weeks)
Newcastle Jets sqauad:
1. Ben Kennedy (gk), 2. Taylor Regan, 4. Nikolai Topor-Stanley, 5. Tiago Calvano, 8. Jeremy Brockie, 9. Michael Bridges, 10. Ruben Zadkovich, 11. Tarek Elrich, 12. Jobe Wheelhouse (c), 13. Byun, 14. Labinot Haliti, 17. James Virgili, 18. Marko Jesic, 19. Matthew Nash (gk), 22. Ali Abbas, 23. Ryan Griffiths, 24. Francis Jeffers, 25. Jacob Pepper *three to be omitted*
In: 14. Labinot Haliti, 17. James Virgili, 18. Marko Jesic, 22. Ali Abbas (all promoted).
Out: 12.Ben Kantarovski (Qantas Australian U23 duty)
Unavailable: Nil
Monday, 6 February 2012
Perth Glory v Gold Coast United
Venue: nib Stadium
Local kick-off: 7:00pm
Perth Glory rounds up the weekend's action on Monday evening when they host season long bottom dwellers, Gold Coast United.
Perth have fought back after yet another unimpressive first half of the campaign to pull off several surprising away wins, serging them up the ladder. Although at first glance Ian Ferguson's side may look depleted, injuries have plagued the side all season and will likely cause on trouble. The Glory's key men Liam Miller and Shane Smeltz will be integral to the side if they are to seize the opportunity to go second on the table.
Gold Coast's season may be over, but once again, their mid week fixture highlighted the sides ability to take teams by surprise and cause havoc to their campaign. United lose no players to injury or the Olyroos this round (one of only two sides) and will enter the match confident after their late draw in Melbourne. Although a win is unlikely, it certainly would up the temperature for those clubs faltering at the last hurdle in both the top and bottom halves of the table.
Referees:
Alan Milliner / Michael Nugus / Joe Fusari / Matthew Cheeseman
Head-to-Head:
All matches (played 7): Perth Glory wins 1, Gold Coast United wins 4 (2 draws)
Perth Glory squad:
1.Danny Vukovic (Gk), 3.Bas Van Den Brink, 4.Billy Mehmet, 5.Steve Pantelidis, 7.Jacob Burns (C) 8.Adam Hughes, 9.Shane Smeltz, 10.Liam Miller, 13.Travis Dodd, 14.Steven Mcgarry, 15.Tommy Amphlett, 17.Todd Howarth, 18 Jesse Makarounas, 19. Josh Risdon, 21.Mile Sterjovski, 27.Andrezinho 30. Lewis Italiano (Gk), 35. Dean Heffernan *three to be omitted*
In: 15.Tommy Amphlett (Promoted), 13.Travis Dodd (Returns From Injury), 18 Jesse Makarounas (Promoted), 35. Dean Heffernan (Promoted)
Out: 16.Evan Berger (Hamstring)
Unavailable: 2. Josh Mitchell (Knee), 6.Chris Coyne (Achilles), 11.Victor Sikora (Hip – Long Term Injury List), 12.Scott Neville (Knee), (Abdominal Strain) 16.Evan Berger (Hamstring), 22.Adam Taggart (U-23 Selection)
Gold Coast United squad:
40.Chris O’Connor (gk), 2.Josh Brillante, 3.Michael Thwaite (c), 5.Kristian Rees, 7.Golgol Mebrahtu, 13.Ante Rozic, 14.Ben Halloran, 15.Adama Traore, 16.Maceo Rigters, 17.Chris Harold, 18.James Brown, 22.Peter Jungschlager, 23.Dylan McGowan, 24.Jonas Salley, 28.Daniel Bowles, 29.Mitch Bevan, 30.Brendan White (gk) *two to be omitted*
In: 2.Josh Brillante (promoted), 29.Mitch Bevan (returns from quad injury)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: 1.Glen Moss (groin injury – 5 weeks), 6.Paul Beekmans (compassionate leave - indefinite), 9.Joel Porter (calf – 4 weeks), 10.Tahj Minniecon (foot injury – 2 weeks), 12.Dylan Macallister (hamstring – 6 weeks), 19.Chris Broadfoot (ankle injury – indefinite)