Sydney suffered a shock defeat last week at the hands of Wellington and coach John Kosmina will be keen to show that result was an exception in a season which has so far proven to be very positive for the Hyundai A-League’s buzz club.
Date: Saturday October 4
Kick-off: 7:00pm AEST
Venue: Sydney Football Stadium
TV and Radio:
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 2 and Sky Sport 2. To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au.
Head-to-head
11 A-League meetings: Sydney – 4 wins, Queensland – 2 wins – Draws – 5
Previous meeting
Queensland Roar 2, Sydney FC 0, Minor semi final, February 2008
Past five rounds
Sydney:
Round 2: Central Coast Mariners 2, Sydney FC 3, Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium
Round 3: Sydney FC 5, Perth Glory 2, Sydney Football Stadium
Round 4: Newcastle Jets 0, Sydney FC 0, EnergyAustralia Stadium
Round 5: Sydney FC 3, Adelaide United 0, Sydney Football Stadium
Round 6: Wellington Phoenix 2, Sydney FC 1, Westpac Stadium
Queensland
Round 2: Queensland Roar 1, Adelaide United 1, Suncorp Stadium
Round 3: Queensland Roar 2, Central Coast Mariners 4, Suncorp Stadium
Round 4: Perth Glory 0, Queensland 3, Members Equity
Round 5: Queensland Roar 0, Newcastle Jets 1, Suncorp Stadium
Round 6: Melbourne Victory 0, Queensland Roar 2, Telstra Dome
Analysis
Sydney suffered a shock defeat last week at the hands of Wellington and coach John Kosmina will be keen to show that result was an exception in a season which has so far proven to be very positive for the Hyundai A-League’s buzz club.
It was just one of those days for the Sky Blues, who started positively enough when Alex Brosque scored but they failed to keep the Phoenix in check and the hosts were able to get back into the game and secure their first win. Prior to that match, Sydney looked devastating against Adelaide and you’d expect it would be back to that sort of touch at home where it has won two and drawn one this year with a goal difference of +6.
Kosmina hasn’t panicked with Adam Biddle and Adam Casey both included for this match against an in-form Queensland side, while Matthew Jurman makes way. Shannon Cole, who announced himself as a player when given his chance in the Pre-Season Cup, has continued his meteoric rise by gaining Socceroos selection, which is sure to give him confidence.
Queensland’s young guns did the job for the Roar against Melbourne last week, with Tahj Minniecon and Michael Zullo scoring late goals for a deserved three points for Frank Farina’s men. It marked their second win of the year and moves them within three points of Sydney on the table. A win here would put them level.
The midfield generals of Charlie Miller (attacking) and Danny Tiatto (defensive) have been doing an excellent job for the Roar, which is unbeaten on the road this year, with two wins and a draw. Unfortunately for the Roar, underage national duty beckons for the lively Minniecon and the impressive defender Luke De Vere, meaning Farina has brought back Robbie Kruse, Chris Grossman and Tim Smits while youth player Matt Mundy is also in the 17-man squad.
Queensland will be looking for its first Hyundai A-League win in Sydney, where it has had two losses and three draws. Sydney also won the Pre-Season Cup matches between these two teams, but Queensland prevailed over two legs in last year’s finals series.
Sydney FC Squad. 1.Clint BOLTON (gk), 2. Iain FYFE, 5. Mitchell PRENTICE 6. Tony POPOVIC (C), 7. Rob MIDDLEBY, 8. Stuart MUSIALIK, 10. Steve CORICA, 11. Brendon SANTALAB, 12. Shannon COLE, 14. Alex BROSQUE, 15. Terry MCFLYNN, 18. Adam CASEY, 19. Mark BRIDGE, 20. Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 21. Adam BIDDLE, 23. John ALOISI.
*One to be omitted
In. Adam Biddle (promoted), Adam Casey (promoted).
Out. Matthew Jurman (Young Socceroos).
Unavailable. Simon Colosimo (groin – 9 weeks), Mike Enfield (knee – 1 week), Jacob Timpano (ankle – 3 weeks).
Queensland Roar Squad. 1 Liam REDDY (gk), 2 Andrew PACKER, 4 Craig MOORE, 6 Dave DODD, 7 Michael ZULLO, 8 Massimo MURDOCCA, 9 Sergio VAN DIJK, 10 Charlie MILLER, 11 Reinaldo, 13 Chris GROSSMAN, 15 Matt McKAY, 16 Hyuk-Su SEO, 18 Danny TIATTO, 20 Griffin McMASTER (rgk), 22 Robbie KRUSE, 23 Tim SMITS, 24 Matt MUNDY.
*one to be omitted.
In. Tim SMITS (promoted), Robbie KRUSE (promoted), Matt MUNDY (promoted from National Youth League), Chris GROSSMAN (promoted).
Out. 3 Luke DEVERE (international duty), 12 Tahj MINNIECON (international duty)
Unavailable. 5 Josh McCLOUGHAN (hip injury – one week), 14 Ben GRIFFIN (suspended), 3 Luke DEVERE (international duty), 12 Tahj MINNIECON (international duty), 17 Mitch NICHOLS (international duty), 21 Tommy OAR (international duty).
