Queensland has a great chance to rattle the cage of another top four side when they tackle an Adelaide United squad that has one-eye on their ACL campaign.
Date: Friday October 17
Kick-off: 7:30pm local (8:30pm AEST)
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
TV and Radio: Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1 and Sky Sport 1. Hyundai A-League club radio broadcast partner is FRESH FM (Adelaide). To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au.
Head-to-head
10 A-League meetings: Adelaide – 4 wins, Queensland 2 wins – Draws – 4
Previous meeting
Queensland 1, Adelaide 1, Suncorp Stadium, Round 2, August 24, 2008
Past Five Games
Adelaide:
Round 3: Adelaide United 3, Wellington Phoenix 0, Hindmarsh Stadium
Round 4: Melbourne Victory 1, Adelaide United 0, Telstra Dome
Round 5: Sydney FC 3, Adelaide United 0, Sydney Football Stadium
Round 6: Adelaide United 2, Newcastle Jets 0, Hindmarsh Stadium
Round 7: Adelaide United 3, Central Coast Mariners 3, Hindmarsh Stadium
Queensland:
Round 3: Queensland Roar 2, Central Coast Mariners 4, Suncorp Stadium
Round 4: Perth Glory 0, Queensland Roar 3, Members Equity Stadium
Round 5: Queensland Roar 0, Newcastle Jets 1, Suncorp Stadium
Round 6: Melbourne Victory 0, Queensland Roar 2, Telstra Dome
Round 7: Sydney FC 1, Queensland Roar 1, Sydney Football Stadium
Analysis
Queensland Roar’s season has grown in momentum in recent weeks with a 2-0 victory over the Melbourne Victory at the Telstra Dome in Round 6 and an unlucky 1-1 draw with Sydney FC a fortnight ago.
It shows the team can match it with the best when it’s up and running and is a serious contender for a top-four position come finals time.
The wily Charlie Miller is always a dangerous player while Adelaide United has publicly admitted the likes of Massimo Murdocca and Matt McKay cause plenty of headaches for its line-up.
Serginho van Dijk is also considered a danger man by Adelaide but he’ll sit the game out with an injury.
Queensland has a great chance to rattle the cage of another top four side when they tackle an Adelaide United squad that has one-eye on their ACL campaign.
The South Australian side is on an all-time high as they prepare for their second semi-final leg against Bunyodkor but a disruptive week has left them vulnerable.
Robbie Cornthwaite, Paul Reid, Eugene Galekovic and Scott Jamieson didn’t play in Socceroos’ game against Qatar but have been away from their Reds’ team-mates for most of the week. It would be no surprise if one or two of these players takes a break.
Meanwhile midfielder Diego, who scored a goal in the Reds’ last ACL game, struggled with a virus this week and won’t play on Friday.
The busy workload does open up opportunities for some of United’s other squad members however. Sasa Ognenovski missed the Reds’ last game because of suspension and will be keen to play on Friday for both match fitness and for pride against his old club.
And Jason Spagnuolo has spent time in the National Youth League but is slowly working his way back into contention. A strong performance against the Roar could set up their season.
Adelaide is also keen to hold onto third spot on the ladder and prove its players are still committed to the Hyundai A-League. It’ll probably need a win to maintain its placing but that’ll be no mean feat against the Roar.
United were lucky to escape with a point the last time the two teams met and coach Aurelio Vidmar is concerned about the pace and the mobility of the Roar’s midfield.
And their recent Hyundai A-League form has been acceptable but not exceptional with a scrappy 2-0 victory over the Newcastle Jets and a draw with the Central Coast Mariners. Against the Mariners they surrendered a three-goal lead in 20 minutes which should give any opposition team hope they can come storming home when the pressure is on.
Queensland Roar Squad. 1. Liam REDDY, 2. Andrew PACKER, 4. Craig MOORE, 5. Josh McCLOUGHAN, 7. Michael ZULLO, 8. Massimo MURDOCCA, 10. Charlie MILLER, 11. REINALDO, 12. Tahj MINNIECON, 14. Ben GRIFFIN, 15. Matt McKAY, 16. Hyuk-Su SEO, 18. Danny TIATTO, 20. Griffin McMASTER, 23. Tim SMITS.
In. Ben GRIFFIN (promoted), Tim SMITS (promoted), Tahj MINNIECON (back from international duty), Josh McCLOUGHAN (return from injury).
Out. Matt MUNDY (short contract expired), Sergio VAN DIJK (injured), Robbie Kruse (injured), Dave Dodd (omitted).
Adelaide United Squad. 20.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 2.Robert CORNTHWAITE, 3.ALEMAO, 4.Angelo COSTANZO, 6.CASSIO, 9.Paul AGOSTINO, 10.CRISTIANO, 13.Travis DODD (capt.), 14.Scott JAMIESON, 15.Jonas SALLEY, 16.Daniel MULLEN, 18.Fabian BARBIERO, 19.Sasa OGNENOVSKI, 21.Jason SPAGNUOLO, 22.DIEGO, 24.Paul REID, 30.Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk)
*2 to be omitted.
In. Fabian BARBIERO (promoted), Jason SPAGNUOLO.
Out. Nil.
