Football Federation Australia has played down the chances of Gold Coast United being stripped of a home A-League final because of the much-maligned Skilled Park playing surface.
Gold Coast face a nervous 48 hours as their home ground undergoes a pre-match inspection before it is cleared to host Sunday’s elimination final against Melbourne Victory.
An FFA spokesman said it was “highly unlikely” the match would be moved from Skilled Park.
But concerns over the condition of the playing surface after several rescheduled A-League matches and rugby league’s All Stars match at the weekend have put a far brighter spotlight on what should be a routine pitch inspection on Monday or Tuesday.
“Only if the pitch has seriously deteriorated will the match be moved,” an FFA spokesman said as the finals draw was confirmed on Sunday.
“All planning is towards having the match at Skilled Park. It’s highly unlikely to be moved.”
Most clubs who have played at the venue recently have complained about the surface.
If the FFA decides the pitch is not up to standard, the match could be moved to Melbourne, with AAMI Park then in line to host the game.
Suncorp Stadium would not be an option, with the Queensland Reds set to kick off their Super Rugby season on Sunday.
And soccer broadcaster Fox Sports is believed to have ruled out south-east Queensland’s other potential venue Ballymore.
Any decision to move the match would be a massive blow for Gold Coast, whose fourth place finish won them the right to a home final and a chance to draw a decent crowd after dismal attendances this season.
But it would be a financial bonanza for the FFA, who control the finals and are heavily reliant on revenue from the playoffs for cash flow.
A final at AAMI Park would most likely be a 30,000 sellout – several times the attendance which could be expected on the Coast.
It would also throw the integrity of the finals into question, with the two-time champions Victory – the team feared by most as a dangerous floater in the playoffs – getting a free leg-up with a home final they have not earned.
Wellington Phoenix secured the last finals spot with a 3-1 win over North Queensland Fury at Westpac Stadium on Sunday – highlighted by the first A-League goal ever scored by a goalkeeper.
Phoenix keeper Danny Vukovic slotted home a stoppage time penalty to seal the win.
Wellington now play Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday night in the other elimination semi-final.
Central Coast Mariners and Brisbane Roar go into the major semi-final first leg at Gosford on Saturday night in peak form after both recorded wins in their final fixtures.
The second-placed Mariners pinched a 90th minute winner through Patricio Perez to beat Newcastle Jets 1-0, while minor premiers Brisbane trounced Gold Coast 4-0 at Suncorp Stadium.
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