Can Brisbane remarkably retain the Premier’s Plate? Be at Skilled Park for the M1 derby as the season reaches its climax.
Gold Coast United v Brisbane Roar
Sunday 25th March, 5.30pm
Can Brisbane remarkably retain the Premier’s Plate? Be at Skilled Park for the M1 derby as the season reaches its climax.
The final league fixture of the 2011/12 season is a potentially pivotal clash between these two Queensland rivals as, depending how the Central Coast get on in New Zealand, Brisbane Roar can retain the Premier’s Plate with a win at Skilled Park.
So secure your ticket to this massive derby battle as the Hyundai A-League title race goes down to the last game of the season.
Roar kept themselves in contention for top spot with a thrilling win against Newcastle at Hunter Stadium last Saturday. After taking the lead through goal-machine Besart Berisha early on, things started to go horribly wrong for Ange Postecoglou’s men in New South Wales.
Having struck the woodwork twice, Roar were then pegged back by Ali Abbas’ free-kick just before half-time. Henrique then missed a penalty and, with the Mariners grabbing the lead down the road, it seemed that Brisbane would have to settle for second place.
However, a successful second spot-kick, this time from Mitch Nichols, meant that the race for the summit would indeed go down to the last day of this fantastic Hyundai A-League 2011/12 season.
This won’t be an easy fixture for Brisbane Roar though. You can throw the form book out of the window in a local derby, as Gold Coast United proved when they beat the current Premiers at Skilled Park earlier this season.
An 88th-minute penalty from Daniel Severino gave them a fantastic 1-0 victory in a bitter Boxing Day battle. Not only that, but United go into their final game of the season on a high, after putting in a stunning display against Perth Glory last Sunday.
Remarkably, their 3-0 demolition of Perth Glory was their first victory since they beat Brisbane at Christmas. After 13 winless matches, an early strike from defender Zac Anderson and a late James Brown brace were enough to finally put a smile on their long-suffering fans’ faces.
United might also have something important to play for on Sunday, aside from local bragging rights. If Adelaide lose to Melbourne Heart, then a win against Roar will lift Gold Coast off the foot of the ladder and mean that they would avoid the wooden spoon in what has been the toughest season imaginable.
With this match potentially having a massive impact on both ends of the league, this is a local derby not to be missed. Can Brisbane Roar sensationally steal the Premier’s Plate from under the noses of Central Coast Mariners or will Gold Coast United end a miserable season on a high with a win over their local rivals? Be at this massive match-up and experience epic rivalry live and up-close.
