The North Queensland Fury believes the elements will be on their side when they clash with Adelaide United at Dairy Farmers Stadium in Round 8 of the Hyundai A-League.
The fledgling club is hoping to use the Townsville heat and the remnants of a lingering dust storm as weapons in lowering the Reds- colours.
Midfielder Rostyn Griffiths admits it has been a challenging week of training.
“I-ve felt it a bit actually,” the 21-year-old said of the dust hanging in the air.
“Your mouth dries out really quickly so it-s meant lots of drink breaks…”
Whether it-ll affect the game on Sunday afternoon remains to be seen but the Fury hopes any impact will be felt by the opposition.
“I-m hoping it clears up by then but if it-s not that-s good for us, it-s another thing that Adelaide haven-t had all week and hopefully we-ve gotten used to it,” Griffiths said.
“The heat is obviously going to be there, but it-s a good challenge for us. I think the first half is going to be difficult but by the second half I think we-ll have worn them down.”
Some bad news for the Fury though, experienced midfielder Ufuk Talay will likely watch from the sidelines.
“He-s (Talay) a bit of worry for us,” Coach Ian Ferguson confirmed.
“I-d say he-s very doubtful because I don-t want to take that risk with him, he-s too important for us to try and throw in for twenty minutes and then miss him for the next six to eight weeks.”
Better news for number two keeper Justin Pasfield who has been sidelined with rib cartilage problems since round five.
He gamely declared ‘I-m back baby- on his way off the training field.
“Is that what he said?” Ferguson laughed.
“That-s Justin for you, he-s full of confidence and if he says he-s ready then he-s obviously ready…”
Meantime it-s been confirmed key defender Karl Dodd will be out for up to two months following knee surgery this week.
Ferguson is promising a few changes after naming an extended squad including youngsters Jack Hingert and Osama Malik.
“They-ve all got a chance, every of them who-s been put on the sheet has a chance and that-s a great thing for me, I-ve probably got about 20 boys fit now,” he said.
Whatever the line up North Queensland has a simple goal; get off the bottom of the Hyundai A-League ladder.
“It-s in our own hands again, if we beat Adelaide then we go above them … that-s a great incentive for me and a great incentive for these boys,” Ferguson said
