Queensland Roar v Wellington Phoenix
Date: Sunday July 27
Kick-off (local time): 2:30pm local
Venue: Stockland Park, Sunshine Coast
Head-to-head
Three A-league meetings: Queensland - 2 wins, 1 draw
One Pre-Season Cup meeting: Queensland - 1 win
Previous meeting
Wellington Phoenix 1, Queensland Roar 1, Westpac Stadium, Round 17, December 2007
Pre-Season Cup Results
Queensland:
Round 1: Sydney FC 2, Queensland Roar 1, Campbelltown Stadium, Saturday July 19
Wellington:
Round 1: Wellington Phoenix 1, Central Coast Mariners 0, Westpac Stadium Sunday July 20
Previous Pre-Season Cup Results
Queensland:
2007: Third (Defeated Central Coast 3-1 in third-place playoff)
2006: Seventh (Defeated New Zealand 2-1 in seventh-place playoff)
2005: Group Stage (Third in Group B)
Wellington:
2007: Sixth (Lost to Newcastle 4-2 on pens in fifth-place playoff)
Analysis
The Phoenix travel to the sun of the Sunshine Coast on the back of a good home win in their opening match against the 2007-08 Hyundai A-League Premier Central Coast. But they won't arrive in the holiday strip for a vacation, and Ricki Herbert will be keen for another win to give his side a huge hope of making the final. It would be a fantastic effort for the NZ-based franchise to do that in just their second season.
But after his side squandered a lead against Sydney last week, Frank Farina will be desperate for a win of his own in this match. Recruit Sergio Van Dijk scored on his first serious hitout and he looks a likely type. He put the Roar in front and could have had several other goals, while Tim Smits also impressed. Hyuk-Su Seo won't play this week after being sent off, while Craig Moore is suspended. Josh McCloughan and Isaks Cernak will both miss through injury. Danny Tiatto returns along with David Dodd.
The Phoenix will again rely on Shane Smeltz this year and the prolific striker kicked off his pre-season with a good performance against the Mariners. Daniel scored the winner and looms as another very important player as does recruit Leilei Gao, who also showed plenty of promise. Vince Lia's season is over after he injured his ACL in a blow for the club.
Jeremy Christie comes in, while Tim Brown is still another week away from returning. Wellington will be looking for its first ever win against Queensland.
Queensland Roar Squad: 1. Liam REDDY, 2. Andrew PACKER, 3. Luke DEVERE, 6. David DODD, 7. Michael ZULLO, 8. Massimo MURDOCCA, 9. Sergio VAN DIJK, 10. Charlie MILLER, 12. Tahj MINNIECON, 13. Chris GROSSMAN, 14. Ben GRIFFIN, 15. Matt McKAY, 17. Mitch NICHOLS, 18. Danny TIATTO, 20. Griffin McMASTER, 21.Tom OAR, 22. Robbie KRUSE, 23. Tim SMITS. * three to be omitted.
In: 6. David DODD , 18. Danny TIATTO.
Out: 4. Craig MOORE (suspended), 5. Josh McCLOUGHAN (injured), 11. Isaks CERNAK (injured), 16. Hyuk-Su SEO (suspended).
Wellington Phoenix Squad: 1. Mark PASTON (gk), 2. Jeremy CHRISTIE, 3. Tony LOCHHEAD, 4. Jon McKAIN, 5. Karl DODD, 7. Leo BERTOS, 8, Vaughan COVENY, 9. Shane SMELTZ, 10. Michael FERRANTE, 11. DANIEL, 12. Richard JOHNSON, 13. Troy HEARFIELD, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 20. Glen MOSS (gk), 21. Leilei GAO, 24. Andrew DURANTE (captain), 27. Adam KWASNIK. *two to be omitted.
In: 2. Jeremy CHRISTIE (return from suspension).
Out: 17. Vince LIA (injured).
Unavailable: 6. Tim BROWN (groin – 1 week), 17. Vince LIA (knee – season)
Date: Sunday July 27
Kick-off (local time): 2:30pm local
Venue: Stockland Park, Sunshine Coast
Head-to-head
Three A-league meetings: Queensland - 2 wins, 1 draw
One Pre-Season Cup meeting: Queensland - 1 win
Previous meeting
Wellington Phoenix 1, Queensland Roar 1, Westpac Stadium, Round 17, December 2007
Pre-Season Cup Results
Queensland:
Round 1: Sydney FC 2, Queensland Roar 1, Campbelltown Stadium, Saturday July 19
Wellington:
Round 1: Wellington Phoenix 1, Central Coast Mariners 0, Westpac Stadium Sunday July 20
Previous Pre-Season Cup Results
Queensland:
2007: Third (Defeated Central Coast 3-1 in third-place playoff)
2006: Seventh (Defeated New Zealand 2-1 in seventh-place playoff)
2005: Group Stage (Third in Group B)
Wellington:
2007: Sixth (Lost to Newcastle 4-2 on pens in fifth-place playoff)
Analysis
The Phoenix travel to the sun of the Sunshine Coast on the back of a good home win in their opening match against the 2007-08 Hyundai A-League Premier Central Coast. But they won't arrive in the holiday strip for a vacation, and Ricki Herbert will be keen for another win to give his side a huge hope of making the final. It would be a fantastic effort for the NZ-based franchise to do that in just their second season.
But after his side squandered a lead against Sydney last week, Frank Farina will be desperate for a win of his own in this match. Recruit Sergio Van Dijk scored on his first serious hitout and he looks a likely type. He put the Roar in front and could have had several other goals, while Tim Smits also impressed. Hyuk-Su Seo won't play this week after being sent off, while Craig Moore is suspended. Josh McCloughan and Isaks Cernak will both miss through injury. Danny Tiatto returns along with David Dodd.
The Phoenix will again rely on Shane Smeltz this year and the prolific striker kicked off his pre-season with a good performance against the Mariners. Daniel scored the winner and looms as another very important player as does recruit Leilei Gao, who also showed plenty of promise. Vince Lia's season is over after he injured his ACL in a blow for the club.
Jeremy Christie comes in, while Tim Brown is still another week away from returning. Wellington will be looking for its first ever win against Queensland.
Queensland Roar Squad: 1. Liam REDDY, 2. Andrew PACKER, 3. Luke DEVERE, 6. David DODD, 7. Michael ZULLO, 8. Massimo MURDOCCA, 9. Sergio VAN DIJK, 10. Charlie MILLER, 12. Tahj MINNIECON, 13. Chris GROSSMAN, 14. Ben GRIFFIN, 15. Matt McKAY, 17. Mitch NICHOLS, 18. Danny TIATTO, 20. Griffin McMASTER, 21.Tom OAR, 22. Robbie KRUSE, 23. Tim SMITS. * three to be omitted.
In: 6. David DODD , 18. Danny TIATTO.
Out: 4. Craig MOORE (suspended), 5. Josh McCLOUGHAN (injured), 11. Isaks CERNAK (injured), 16. Hyuk-Su SEO (suspended).
Wellington Phoenix Squad: 1. Mark PASTON (gk), 2. Jeremy CHRISTIE, 3. Tony LOCHHEAD, 4. Jon McKAIN, 5. Karl DODD, 7. Leo BERTOS, 8, Vaughan COVENY, 9. Shane SMELTZ, 10. Michael FERRANTE, 11. DANIEL, 12. Richard JOHNSON, 13. Troy HEARFIELD, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 20. Glen MOSS (gk), 21. Leilei GAO, 24. Andrew DURANTE (captain), 27. Adam KWASNIK. *two to be omitted.
In: 2. Jeremy CHRISTIE (return from suspension).
Out: 17. Vince LIA (injured).
Unavailable: 6. Tim BROWN (groin – 1 week), 17. Vince LIA (knee – season)
