Sydney FC has won just one of its past seven games but may have turned things around against Adelaide United last week, according to coach John Kosmina.
Date: Friday November 28
Kick-off: 8pm local
Venue: Sydney Football Stadium
TV: Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1 and Sky Sport 2. To purchase tickets visit www.premier.ticketek.com.au
Head-to-head
12 Hyundai A-League meetings: Sydney FC – 4 wins, Queensland – 2 win, Draws – 6.
Previous meeting
Sydney FC 1, Queensland Roar 1, Sydney Football Stadium, Round 7, October 2008
Past Five Games
Sydney FC:
Round 8: Perth Glory 2, Sydney FC 1, Members Equity Stadium
Round 9: Melbourne Victory 0, Sydney FC 2, Telstra Dome
Round 10: Sydney FC 3, Central Coast Mariners 3, Sydney Football Stadium
Round 11: Sydney FC 1, Wellington Phoenix 2, Sydney Football Stadium
Round 12: Adelaide United 2, Sydney FC 0, Hindmarsh Stadium
Queensland Roar:
Round 8: Queensland Roar 0, Adelaide United 1, Suncorp Stadium
Round 9: Wellington Phoenix 0, Queensland Roar 1, Westpac Stadium
Round 10: Newcastle Jets 1, Queensland Roar 2, EnergyAustralia Stadium
Round 11: Queensland Roar 0, Melbourne Victory 1, Suncorp Stadium
Round 12: Queensland Roar 4, Perth Glory 1, Suncorp Stadium
Analysis
Sydney FC has won just one of its past seven games but may have turned things around against Adelaide United last week, according to coach John Kosmina.
While the Sky Blues lost 2-0, their coach said it was the most consistent 90 minutes his team had put in for several rounds.
Sydney dominated parts of the first half but couldn’t produce the goods when Terry McFlynn was red-carded and hobbled off with a knee injury minutes after the break.
Kosmina also believes his side may have the edge against the Queensland Roar. He said his team was unlucky to draw with the Queensland back in Round 7 while he feels the Roar were lucky they didn’t concede more goals against Perth last week.
They are definitely fighting words but Sydney FC will need more than huff and puff to overcome an inspired Roar line-up.
Sydney will be hoping an old hand and a youngster will help spark a positive result.
Former Reds player Bobby Petta will replace McFlynn in the starting line-up while Brendan Gan, who scored in the latest round of the National Youth League, will start on the bench.
Queensland has struggled at the Sydney Football Stadium but is performing well on the road and should still be on a high after the victory over the Glory.
Craig Moore’s comeback from cancer should be an ongoing inspiration for the team while the return of tough man Danny Tiatto should also lift spirits.
Tiatto, who’s recovering from a foot injury, will start on the bench but his mere presence will provide leadership for the hard-running unit.
Meanwhile Sergio van Dijk, Tahj Minniecon, Charlie Miller and Mitch Nichols scored goals last week and will be hungry for more success on Friday night. Miller is also keen to make amends for his missed opportunities in Round 7 which cost his side maximum points.
Expect the visitors to continue Sydney FC’s midseason slump.
Teams:
Sydney FC Squad 1.Clint BOLTON (gk), 2.Iain FYFE, 5.Mitchell PRENTICE, 7.Rob MIDDLEBY, 8.Stuart MUSIALIK, 10.Steve CORICA (c), 12.Shannon COLE, 14.Alex BROSQUE, 19.Mark BRIDGE, 20.Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 23.John ALOISI, 28.Bobby PETTA, 29.Beau BUSCH, 31.Antony GOLEC, 32.Brendan GAN.
In. Brendan GAN (promoted from NYL)
Out. Terry MCFLYNN (knee – 6 weeks)
Queensland Roar Squad 1.Liam REDDY (gk), 2.Andrew PACKER, 3.Luke DEVERE, 4.Craig MOORE (c), 5.Josh McCLOUGHAN, 7.Michael ZULLO, 8.Massimo MURDOCCA, 9.Sergio VAN DIJK, 10.Charlie MILLER, 12.Tahj MINNIECON, 14.Ben GRIFFIN, 15.Matthew McKAY, 17.Mitch NICHOLS, 18. Danny TIATTO, 20.Griffin McMASTER (gk), 23.Tim SMITS.
*one to be omitted
In. Danny TIATTO (returns from injury)
