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Preview of round one of the A-League this weekend (all times AEST).
FRIDAY
NEWCASTLE JETS v CENTRAL COAST MARINERS at EnergyAustralia Stadium, 8pm
Head to head: Newcastle 6, Central Coast 3, drawn 5
Last meeting: Newcastle 1 bt Central Coast 0 at the Sydney Football Stadium, Feb 2008, grand final.
TAB Sportsbet: Newcastle $2.25, Central Coast $2.90, Draw $3.30
At first glance you’d expect a fiery encounter. It’s the grand final rematch, F3 derby and blockbuster season opener all rolled into one. It’s the Mariners’ – and banned `keeper Danny Vukovic’s – chance at immediate redemption. And it’s Newcastle’s early chance to send a message to the bookies, who’ve placed the Jets as rank outsiders ($13) to win back-to-back titles. But the strange thing is, the two sides that will take the field tomorrow night are markedly different to the sides from grand final day. Considerable off-season player movements, injury lists and an Olympic campaign mean about half the players involved in the controversial 1-0 win to the Jets in February will not take part. Newcastle will also be without new Danish import Jesper Hakansson, who has succumbed to a calf injury, while the Mariners have Mile Jedinak, Nigel Boogaard, Andre Gumprecht and Greg Owens all unavailable.
Key: After a long off-season and with plenty of new faces, it could come down to who gels quickest. The Mariners’ lengthy injury list is a concern.
Tip: Newcastle
SATURDAY
SYDNEY FC v MELBOURNE VICTORY at the Sydney Football Stadium, 7pm
Head to head: Sydney 1, Melbourne 4, drawn 4
Last meeting: Sydney 2 drew Melbourne 2 at the Sydney Football Stadium, Jan 2008.
TAB Sportsbet: Sydney $2.65, Melbourne $2.45, Draw $3.30
Melbourne skipper Kevin Muscat joked during the week everyone else is playing for second place, such is the outpouring of pundit and punter support for Sydney FC to win the A-League. But if there’s ever a good time to play the off-season’s biggest transfer marketeers, it’s now. With up to seven players out through injury and suspension, including marquee striker John Aloisi, this is a huge test of depth first-up for John Kosmina’s men. Both sides could have their Olyroos available after Australia’s Games demise. The Victory look certain to use Billy Celeski and Leigh Broxham – both of whom have been ordered to head from China straight to Sydney and be ready to play – although Kosmina looks less likely to use duo Mark Bridge and Stuart Musialik. Muscat has overcome a hamstring injury, but injured Olympian Archie Thompson and midfielders Nick Ward and Grant Brebner are out. Sydney FC will unveil 17-year-old striker Chris Payne – rated by his coach the new Mark Viduka. Big wrap indeed, and he’ll be watched with interest.
Key: Former Central Coast attacker Tom Pondeljak could prove an excellent buy for the Victory as he is a proven A-League scorer. He becomes even more important with Thompson and Ward out.
Tip: Melbourne
SUNDAY
WELLINGTON PHOENIX v QUEENSLAND ROAR at Westpac Stadium, 3pm
Head to head: Wellington 0, Queensland 2, drawn 1
Last meeting: Wellington 1 drew Queensland 1 at Westpac Stadium, Dec 2007.
TAB Sportsbet: Wellington $2.30, Queensland $2.80, Draw $3.35
Wellington could be a surprise packet this season, having first recruited well and then played well in the pre-season cup. They face a big test first up against an enormously talented Roar side. Youngsters like Michael Zullo rose to stardom with electrical displays last season and he’ll be out to show it wasn’t beginner’s luck, while his young wing partner Robbie Kruse has been left out. And while the Roar have some of the best attacking options in the league, their ageing defence will be tested. Veteran Craig Moore will be under even more pressure to perform at the back following Sasa Ognenovski’s move to Adelaide United. The re-signing of Brazilian striker Reinaldo is a significant boost for Frank Farina, who himself has re-signed for a further two years with the Roar. The beautiful thing for Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert is that no one is expecting too much from last year’s wooden spooners, plus travelling across the Tasman is never an easy thing.
Key: Shane Smeltz and Reinaldo both scored nine goals last campaign, second only to Joel Griffiths. Both sides could look to their leading marksmen to get off to a flying start.
Tip: Wellington
ADELAIDE UNITED v PERTH GLORY at Hindmarsh Stadium, 5pm
Head to head: Adelaide 4, Perth 2, drawn 3
Last meeting: Perth 3 bt Adelaide 2 at Members Equity Stadium, Jan 08.
TAB Sportsbet: Adelaide $1.70, Perth $4.65, Draw $3.50
Adelaide have been boosted by the timely return to fitness of marquee signing Paul Agostino. With star strike force Nathan Burns and Bruce Djite no more at the club, the onus is on Agostino to fire from the get-go. For Perth, arguably the A-League’s biggest disappointments having twice finishing second last and never featured in the finals, there is a lot to prove in version four. They start on the back foot, losing two of their most experienced campaigners for the Adelaide clash, with defender Hayden Foxe and striker Jamie Harnwell ruled out through injury. Olyroos Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Nikita Rukavytsya and Tando Velaphi have not been named either on the back of a failed Beijing campaign. Brazilian midfielder Amaral could be an interesting player to watch and the Glory will be hoping he can provide some spark. For Adelaide, captain Travis Dodd will be looking for an inspired display in his 100th match for the club.
Key: Personnel. Perennial strugglers Perth will be without a number of key players, while Adelaide get their marquee player Agostino back.
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