Who’s in, who’s out for this weekend’s all-important semi final action.
The Hyundai A-League 2009 Finals Series presented by FOXTEL continues this Valentine-s Day weekend making it the perfect opportunity to introduce your new love to your first love – football.
Queensland Roar meet Central Coast Mariners in the second leg of the minor semi-final at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, tomorrow, while Melbourne Victory take on Adelaide United at Telstra Dome on Saturday.
The winner of the minor semi-final will go on to meet the loser of the major semi-final who will host the Preliminary Final. The winner of the major semi-final will earn the right to host the Hyundai A-League 2009 Grand Final.
The perfect match is here for the taking.
Weekend Matches
Queensland Roar v Central Coast Mariners
Friday 13 February, 2009
Suncorp Stadium
Local kick off 7.30pm (8.30pm AEDT)
Referee. Peter Green
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 3, delayed coverage on Sky Sport 3 and
Coast FM (Gosford) 96.3FM.
To purchase tickets visit www.premier.ticketek.com.au
Queensland Roar Squad: 1.Liam REDDY, 2.Andrew PACKER, 3.Luke DEVERE, 4.Craig MOORE, 6.David DODD, 7.Michael ZULLO, 8.Massimo MURDOCCA, 9.Sergio VAN DIJK, 10.Charlie MILLER, 14.Ben GRIFFIN, 15.Matt McKAY, 16.Hyuk-Su SEO, 17.Mitch NICHOLS, 19.Isaka CERNAK, 20.Griffin McMASTER, 21.Tommy OAR.
In: 3.Luke DEVERE (promoted), 6.David DODD (promoted), 14.Ben GRIFFIN (promoted).
Out: 5.Josh McCLOUGHAN (injured – groin), 12.Tahj MINNIECON (injured – hip), 18.Danny TIATTO (suspended – one week)
Others Unavailable: REINALDO (groin injury)
Central Coast Mariners Squad: 20. Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 2.Andre GUMPRECHT, 5.Bradley PORTER, 7.John HUTCHINSON, 8.Dean HEFFERNAN, 9.Nik MRDJA, 10.Adrian CACERES, 11.Dylan MACALLISTER, 13.Paul O’GRADY, 15.Andrew CLARK, 16.Nigel BOOGAARD, 17.Matthew OSMAN, 18.Alex WILKINSON, 19.Matt SIMON, 22.Sasho PETROVSKI, 30.Andrew REDMAYNE (gk).
In: 8. Dean HEFFERNAN (Returns from Suspension).
Out: 4. Pedj BOJIC (Omitted).
Others Unavailable: 1. Matthew NASH (gk) (Shoulder – Indefinite), 21. Ahmad ELRICH (Knee – Season)
Stats, Facts & Milestones
After Melbourne Victory recently created a new Hyundai A-League record of winning six home matches in a row, the Queensland Roar are now aiming to become just the second team to win six home matches in a row. Conversely, the Central Coast Mariners are on a four match losing streak (all matches), and are aiming to not become just the second team (apart from former club New Zealand Knights) to lose five consecutive matches in the Hyundai A-League.
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORDS in all official competitions
All matches (played 13): Queensland Roar wins 5, Central Coast Mariners wins 2 (6 draws).
In Brisbane (played 6): Queensland Roar wins 1, Central Coast Mariners wins 2 (3 draws).
Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United
Saturday 14 February, 2009
Telstra Dome
Local kick off 7.30pm AEDT
Referee. Matthew Breeze
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 3, Sky Sport 3 and ABC Radio.
To purchase tickets visit www.ticketmaster.com.au
Melbourne Victory: 1.Michael THEOKLITOS (gk), 2.Kevin MUSCAT (Captain), 3.Michael THWAITE, 5.Sebastian RYALL, 7.Matthew KEMP, 8.Grant BREBNER, 9.Danny ALLSOPP, 10.Archie THOMPSON, 11.NEY FABIANO, 12.Rodrigo VARGAS, 13.Nathan ELASI, 14.Billy CELESKI, 15.Tom PONDELJAK, 16.Carlos HERNANDEZ, 17.Jose Luis LOPEZ, 18.Leigh BROXHAM, 19.Evan BERGER, 20.Mitchell LANGERAK (gk), 22.Nick WARD.*three to be omitted
In: Michael THWAITE (promoted), Nathan ELASI (promoted), Leigh BROXHAM (promoted).
Out: Nil
Others Unavailable: Nil
Adelaide United Squad: 20.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 2.Robert CORNTHWAITE, 3.ALEMAO, 4.Angelo COSTANZO, 6.CASSIO, 7.Lucas PANTELIS, 9.Paul AGOSTINO, 10.CRISTIANO, 13.Travis DODD (capt.), 14.Scott JAMIESON, 15.Jonas SALLEY, 16.Daniel MULLEN, 18.Fabian BARBIERO, 19.Sasa OGNENOVSKI, 22. DIEGO, 24.Paul REID, 25.Robert YOUNIS, 27.Michael MARRONE, 28.Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 30.Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk). *four to be omitted
In: Robert CORNTHWAITE (returns from suspension), CASSIO (returns from injury), Angelo COSTANZO (promoted), Jonas SALLEY (promoted), Robert YOUNIS (promoted), DIEGO (returns from injury).
Out: Kristian SARKIES (ankle – 3 weeks), Michael VALKANIS (calf – 2 weeks).
Others Unavailable: Daniel BELTRAME (gk) (knee – season), Jason SPAGNUOLO (long term injury).
Stats, Facts & Milestones
Adelaide United are aiming to halt a four match losing streak against the Melbourne Victory. No current Hyundai A-League club has lost more than five consecutive matches against another club before, the current record of five consecutive losses against another club held by Perth Glory against the Queensland Roar.
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD in all official competitions
All matches (played 16): Melbourne Victory wins 8, Adelaide United wins 5 (3 draws).
In Melbourne (played 8): Melbourne Victory wins 5, Adelaide United wins 2 (1 draw).
Note.
– Squads subject to change
– Match date and kick-off times are subject to change without notice.
Birthday boys
Ney Fabiano (Melbourne Victory) turns 30 today, Monday 9-Feb
Michael Theoklitos (Melbourne Victory) turns 28 on Wednesday 11-Feb
Tahj Minniecon (Queensland Roar) turns 20 on Friday 13-Feb
Hyundai A-League finals week 2 flashbacks
2005/06 SEASON
Major semi 2nd leg: Sydney FC 2 – 1 Adelaide United (Sydney win 4-3 on aggregate)
Minor semi 2nd leg: Central Coast Mariners 1 – 1 Newcastle Jets (Central Coast win 2-1 on aggregate)
2006/07 SEASON
Major semi 2nd leg: Melbourne Victory 2 – 1 Adelaide United (Melbourne win 2-1 on aggregate)
Minor semi 2nd leg: Newcastle Jets 2 – 0 Sydney FC (Newcastle win 3-2 on aggregate)
2007/08 SEASON
Major semi 2nd leg: Central Coast Mariners 3 – 0 Newcastle Jets (Central Coast win 3-2 on aggregate)
Minor semi 2nd leg: Queensland Roar 2 – 0 Sydney FC (Queensland win 2-0 on aggregate)
