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Phoenix players celebrate - Source: Photosport
Preview of round 15 of the A-League:
FRIDAY
Adelaide United v Gold Coast Unites at Hindmarsh Stadium
Head to head: Adelaide 0, Gold Coast 1, Drawn 0.
Last meeting: Gold Coast 2 bt Adelaide United 0 at Hindmarsh
Stadium, Aug 2009.
Not the ideal lead-up for either side. Adelaide coach Aurelio Vidmar has had to apologise for a flippant comment about "beheading" his players, while Gold Coast midfielder Robson is in strife for the far more serious matter of drink-driving. Gold Coast probably could have done without another drama in a season full of them, but there were very good signs in their 1-0 dispatch of Sydney FC two weeks ago prior to the international fixture break. Adelaide continue to meander and have slumped into the bottom three - albeit in a desperately congested league. But there's no doubt Hindmarsh has lost its fortress-like standing for United. Gold Coast are buoyed with first-choice keeper Jess Vanstratten's return, while exciting youngster Mathew Leckie is back from injury. He'll help address Adelaide's most glaring deficiency - in front of goal.
Key: Where will Adelaide get their goals from, with just 12 in
14 games - the worst attack in the league?
Tip: Gold Coast United
SATURDAY
Brisbane Roar v Melbourne Victory at Suncorp Stadium
Head to head: Brisbane 4, Melbourne 8, Drawn 2
Last meeting: Melbourne Victory 2 bt Brisbane Roar 1 at Etihad
Stadium, Oct 2009.
Towelled up embarrassingly by Central Coast a fortnight ago, the Victory have no choice but to come out firing or questions start to be asked. There may be personnel shifts - goalkeeper Glen Moss may be left out after shipping plenty of goals this campaign. And Robbie Kruse, Nick Ward and Evan Berger return from injury to give coach Ernie Merrick some nice selection headaches. Roar coach Ange Postecoglou got his first win just prior to the break and has some decent 'ins' of his own. Veteran midfielder Charlie Miller adds creativity, while regular goalkeeper Liam Reddy is back from injury.
Key: Few are playing better in the A-League than Victory
midfielder Carlos Hernandez, and how he plays and Brisbane attempt
to stop him could determine the outcome.
Tip: Melbourne Victory
North Queensland Fury v Central Coast Mariners at Dairy Farmers Stadium
Head to head: North Queensland 0, Central Coast 0, Drawn 1
Last meeting: Central Coast 1 drew with North Queensland 1 at
Bluetongue Stadium, Oct 2009.
Central Coast went into the break on the highest of highs after belting Melbourne Victory. They can certainly get themselves up for a high-end opponent, but how serious they are as championship contenders might determine on how they put away teams like the Fury. North Queensland coach Ian Ferguson knows a bit about the Mariners - he was Lawrie McKinna's assistant for several years. Fury will doubtless rely heavily on Robbie Fowler, though the Mariners' excellent defence are good chances to shackle him. Central Coast are also good travellers, and could push further up the ladder than fourth if they can secure all three points.
Key: The Mariners' defence has been exceptional - conceding just
eight goals in 14 matches. Fowler will have his hands full.
Tip: Central Coast
SUNDAY
Newcastle Jets v Wellington Phoenix at EnergyAustralia Stadium
Head to head: Newcastle 3, Wellington 4, Drawn 1
Last meeting: Wellington Phoenix 3 bt Newcastle Jets 0 at Westpac
Stadium, Nov 2009
Can the Phoenix keep New Zealand's football feelgood factor going - perhaps all the way into the finals? Just how the All Whites in the Phoenix squad deal with the post-World Cup qualifying euphoria probably determines how this one goes. Wellington got out of jail late for a 1-1 draw with Perth last start and looked to have one eye on the Bahrain match. No excuses now, and while the Phoenix certainly have shown themselves a finals-capable side, now they have the chance to prove it. New Zealand hero Mark Paston returns between the sticks for the Phoenix after injury. Newcastle need to pick up points desperately to remain in the finals hunt. Even in a tight league, sitting ninth of 10 means playing catch-up.
Key: Phoenix striker Paul Ifill is on fire, and his equaliser
saved his side again last time out. Do Newcastle have anyone
capable of stopping him?
Tip: Wellington
Perth Glory v Sydney FC at ME Bank Stadium
Head to head: Perth 3, Sydney FC 4, Drawn 5
Last meeting: Perth Glory 4 bt Sydney FC 1 at Sydney Football
Stadium, Dec 2008
Perth were happy to escape from New Zealand with a point last time, but face a difficult task against top-of-the-table Sydney FC. The Sky Blues will miss midfielder Steve Corica, who is out with a hamstring injury. But they continue to quietly go about assembling enough points to be a finals side in the making, though they'll want to rebound quickly from their 1-0 loss to Gold Coast last start. The Glory lose midfielder Wayne Srhoj to suspension which hurts. He has been one of their best this season. But Jamie Coyne gives them good defensive midfield cover should coach Dave Mitchell choose to deploy him there.
Key: Can Sydney FC strikers Mark Bridge and Alex Brosque keep
their good form going?
Tip: Draw
