Hyundai A-League Round 23 Preview

Wellington Phoenix v North Queensland Fury
Westpac Stadium
Friday 15th January 2010

Eugene Dadi was the talk of the A-League last week following his stunning debut for Wellington Phoenix in their fine victory over Brisbane. Having been out-of-favour at former club Perth Glory, the former Ivory Coast international wasted no time in making his mark across the Tasman, capping his debut with two goals including a spectacular overhead kick. He will be confident of adding to his tally against a North Queensland Fury side that has conceded more goals than anyone else in the A-League. Still very much on course for a maiden finals appearance, Phoenix have been boosted this week by news that Mark Paston, Troy Hearfield and Reece Crowther are all set to sign new deals with the club over the next few days. Unfortunately for Paston, he remains sidelined by a knee injury and will not return to competitive action for at least another month.

Fury, meanwhile, still harbour finals ambitions of their own, but may head into Friday’s crucial clash without the services of influential utility man Robbie Middleby who is still battling the virus that forced him to leave the field before half-time in last weekend’s draw with Central Coast. With virtually all of his other players fit, coach Ian Ferguson may well opt to include the likes of John Tambouras, Fred Agius and Rostyn Griffiths in his travelling party as Fury look to secure what would be their first win over the Kiwi outfit.

The two previous games between these two sides both ended 1-1 and Friday night’s showdown is shaping up to be another cagey affair. You never quite know what you’re going to get from Fury, making this a difficult one to call, but home advantage may just swing it Wellington’s way.
Prediction: Wellington Phoenix 2-1 North Queensland Fury

Adelaide United v Central Coast Mariners
Hindmarsh Stadium
Friday 15th January 2010

Only a stoppage time equaliser prevented Adelaide United from pulling off a surprise win at Gold Coast last time out and though bitterly disappointed not to have hung on to claim all three points, coach Aurelio Vidmar will have taken plenty of positives from what was a vastly-improved display. For all that, the Reds have still won only one of their last ten games and are five points adrift of sixth spot, meaning that victory over Central Coast Mariners is essential if they are to keep their faint finals hopes alive. Fortunately for the South Australian strugglers, Iain Fyfe has been cleared of any serious injury after being clattered by Shane Smeltz in the draw with Gold Coast and the former Sydney man should be fit for Friday night, along with Paul Reid who turned out for the Youth Team last week. Kristian Sarkies and Alemao are also likely to be available for selection after overcoming their recent injury problems.

The Mariners have also been in wretched form in recent weeks, although they did manage to snap a five-game losing streak with a draw against North Queensland last time out and have been boosted by a new arrival in the form of Jonathan Brown. The former Cardiff City and Wrexham attacking midfielder has signed up until the end of the season and will link up with fellow Welshman Matt Crowell in the squad for Friday’s vital clash.

The trip south will be of particular interest for Central Coast defender Nigel Boogaard, meanwhile, as he has already agreed to join the Reds for next season.

It’s hard to envisage many neutrals tuning in to watch the A-League’s two most out-of-form sides going head to head and even harder to foresee a classic unfolding. A bore draw would come as no surprise.
Prediction: Adelaide United 0-0 Central Coast Mariners

Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory
Etihad Stadium
Saturday 16th January 2010

A run of just one win from their last five games has seen long-time league leaders Melbourne Victory relinquish top spot to Sydney and the gap between the arch-rivals would blow out to a massive seven points if Victory lost to Perth Glory on Saturday and the Sky Blues accounted for Gold Coast on Sunday.

The home side’s preparations for this vital clash have been disrupted by a hamstring injury sustained by Matthew Kemp that is expected to keep the newly-capped Socceroo defender out for several weeks. A hamstring problem will also rule out Surat Sukha, but fleet-footed youngster Evan Berger could make a welcome return from injury to bolster Ernie Merrick’s selection options. Danny Allsopp, meanwhile, has been linked with a return to Etihad Stadium just five months after he left to join Qatari club Al-Rayyan. The 31-year-old is likely to be released imminently by the big-spending Middle Eastern outfit and Victory are hoping to re-sign him to spearhead their Asian Champions League campaign.

Only some wayward finishing prevented Glory from beating league leaders Sydney in Round 22, but away from their ME Bank Stadium fortress, they have been anything but impressive so far this term. Dave Mitchell’s men have not won on the road since Round 8 and will have to show a lot more resolve if they are to improve upon that record at Etihad Stadium.

Chris Coyne should be available despite flying to China in midweek for a trial with Super League outfit Shandong Luneng and Branko Jelic and Victor Sikora will also come into the reckoning for squad places after recovering from injury. Former Motherwell midfielder Steven McGarry will join the travelling party after securing a contract for the remainder of the season and striker Daniel McBreen may also make his Glory debut following his loan move from North Queensland. Influential midfielder Wayne Srhoj, however, is still battling to overcome a knee injury and is at least a week away from full fitness. 

A wounded Victory side simply have to get back to winning ways in a hurry if they are to remain in the hunt for the minor premiership and taking on the league’s worst travellers provides them with the ideal opportunity to do just that.
There probably won’t be much in it, but the home side should snare all three points.
Prediction: Melbourne Victory 2-1 Perth Glory
Brisbane Roar v Newcastle Jets
Suncorp Stadium
Saturday 16th January 2010

With Brisbane Roar’s leaky defence shipping eight goals in the last two games, coach Ange Postecoglou has responded by drafting in Belgian centre-back Pieter Collen. The vastly-experienced former Feyenoord man will fill the slot recently vacated by Craig Moore and is expected to come straight into the starting eleven for Saturday’s clash with Newcastle Jets. Tricky Brazilian winger Henrique may also be included after recovering from his hamstring injury and Roar could certainly do with an extra creative spark as they bid to force their way back into the top six.

There are some additional concerns for the Queenslanders off the field, with the FFA refusing to confirm that the financially-troubled club will be playing its home games at Suncorp Stadium again next season.

Five wins from seven games, meanwhile, has brought Newcastle to within touching distance of a top four finish. Despite losing to Gold Coast in midweek and going down to Perth Glory on Boxing Day, Branko Culina’s men are still well placed to pounce should any of the top three stumble in the final furlong. For the trip to Suncorp, however, they will be without the services of Ben Kantarovski as he serves a one-match suspension.

Roar look like a side in transition and you get the feeling that Postecoglou’s youth revolution is a long-term project that may not start to pay dividends until next season. The momentum is with the visitors and having bagged an impressive 14 goals in the last seven games, they will be confident of unlocking Roar’s shaky backline. It’s hard to go past the Jets in this one.
Prediction: Brisbane Roar 1-2 Newcastle Jets

Sydney FC v Gold Coast United
Sydney Football Stadium
Sunday 17th January 2010

Leaders Sydney FC take on third-placed Gold Coast United in the game of the round on Sunday, with the visitors looking to chalk up what would be there third victory over the Sky Blues in as many attempts.

Vitezslav Lavicka’s men were fortunate to escape with a point from their trip to Perth last weekend, but have been a different proposition at home so far this term, winning nine of their eleven games at the SFS. Their cause will be helped on Sunday by the return from suspension of key defender Simon Colosimo and the likely availability of Alex Brosque who picked up an injury while away on international duty with the Socceroos. There could also be a start for vastly experienced defender Hayden Foxe who made his club debut as a late substitute against Perth.

Just one defeat in their last six games has seen Gold Coast reignite their title challenge and with Joel Porter, Shane Smeltz, Charlie Miller and Jason Culina all fit and firing, they will fancy their chances of downing one of their major rivals in both the league honours and league glamour stakes. Miron Bleiberg does not have any fresh injury concerns ahead of the trip to the SFS and will welcome Steve Pantelidis back into the squad following his return from yet another suspension. Adama Traore is still a week or so away from full fitness, however, as is injury-plagued Brazilian midfielder Robson.

If you only watch one A-League game this weekend, this high-stakes clash is the one to go for. With plenty of quality and attacking talent on show, it should be a cracker and may well end with the spoils being shared.
Prediction: Sydney FC 2-2 Gold Coast United