Friday, 21 August 2009
Adelaide Untied v Gold Coast United
Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Local kick-off: 7.30pm (8.00pm AEST)
Referee: Matthew Breeze
Round three of the A-League kicks of with what could be the game of the week with Adelaide United taking on the inform Gold Coast United. Adelaide United has graced the pitches of far away lands like Uzbekistan Korea and Japan on their way to losing the final of the AFC Champions League. Not forgetting their two Grand Final losses the Reds are fast creating a reputation of being the bridesmaid and never the bride.
Last week Adelaide suffered a narrow loss to Sydney FC and Reds coach Aurelio Vidmar is A Football Story favourite and during the week had some choice words in the build up to the game after Miron Bleiberg the Gold Coast Coach called Vidmar “Mr Average”.
Red Quotes: "Calling me Mr Average, whether he meant it or not, doesn't particularly worry me but it denigrates every other coach in the A-League," was the Vidmar retort.
"There's nothing wrong with being a career coach.
"Miron has been coaching for 25 years.
"Does that make him a career coach? Or is he just in it for a couple of years?"
"With the team he has at his disposal, if they don't win the league by 15 points there is something seriously wrong."
Pissants to watch: Having Cassio back is a big bonus and so is having right back Daniel Mullen.Right Winger and Reds captain Travis Dodd along with Striker Christiano can be dangerous if allowed space. Scott Jamieson will be fired up after Sydney youngster Kofi Danning ran rings around him last week.
The Gold Coast or White Shoe Brigade as they are sometimes known should face their toughest test so far against a Reds team who are well organised and don’t have Bea Busch in defence. Shane Smetlz has five goals in two games and his combination with fellow attacker Joel Porter looks like they have been married for years.
Gold Coast Quotes: “We have a great squad, a private jet and that makes people envious” said a humble Miron Blieberg.
"If someone came to play against me in a private jet I'd hate them too.
"Everybody is annoyed we are doing well and can't wait for us to fall.
"We are the Manchester United or Real Madrid of the A-League. There will be a lot of happy people if we lose.
"We will try not to give them the pleasure."
Gold Coast Chavs to Watch: Let’s just say all of them but Smetlz and Jason Culina and Adama Traore will be featured.
Key Battles: The Reds Defence vs Gold Coast Attack. The organised and structured Reds verse the Laissez faire (let do and let pass) approach of the Gold Coast.
A Football Story Prediction: I’m tipping the Reds to win 1-0 just to be different.
Adelaide United Squad: 1.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 2.Robert CORNTHWAITE, 3.ALEMAO, 4.Iain FYFE, 5.Daniel MULLEN, 6.CASSIO, 7.Lucas PANTELIS, 9.CRISTIANO, 10.Adam HUGHES, 11.Lloyd OWUSU, 13.Travis DODD (c), 14.Scott JAMIESON, 15.Francesco MONTEROSSO, 16.Inseob SHIN, 17.Michael MARRONE, 20.Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk), 23.Joe COSTA
*two to be omitted*
In: CASSIO (returns from illness), Daniel MULLEN (returns from injury), Lloyd OWUSU (promoted)
Out: 12.Paul REID (abductor – 3 weeks), 21.Mark RUDAN (omitted)
Unavailable: 8.Kristian SARKIES (calf – 3 weeks), 18.Fabian BARBIERO (groin – 1 week)
Gold Coast United Squad: 20.Scott HIGGINS (gk), 2. Steve PANTELIDIS, 3.Michael THWAITE, 4.Daniel PIORKOWSKI, 5.ROBSON, 7.Zenon CARAVELLA, 9.Shane SMELTZ, 10.Jason CULINA (c), 13.Bas VAN DEN BRINK, 14.Joel PORTER, 15.Tahj MINNIECON, 16.Kristian REES, 17.Matt OSMAN, 19.Andrew BARISIC, 22.Adama TRAORE, 23.Steve FITZSIMMONS, 24.ANDERSON, 40.Robbie BAJIC (gk)
*three to be omitted*
In: 40. Robbie BAJIC (short-term contract), 4.Daniel PIORKOWSKI (return from groin injury), 5.ROBSON (return from groin injury), 19.Andrew BARISIC (promoted).
Out: 30.Jerrad TYSON (not selected)
Unavailable: 8.JEFFERSON (knee injury – 9 weeks), 18.James BROWN (shin injury – 1 week), 1.Jess VANSTRATTAN (ankle injury – 4 weeks), 2.Steve PANTELIDIS (suspended – 1 week)
Live & exclusive broadcast on Fox Sports 1. Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is 107.9 LIFE FM ( Adelaide ). To purchase tickets visit www.venuetix.com.au
No comments:
Post a Comment