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Gold Coast United could be taking to the field for the last time and Brisbane Roar’s Premiership defence could rest on the result of this match. Join us for live scores and a blog from 6.30pm AEDT for what will be the most emotion-charged M1 Derby ever played.
Where do you start when writing a preview for this match? Well perhaps from the top down.
As we head into the final day of the regular season, Brisbane Roar sits two points adrift of Central Coast in second position on the A-League ladder.
A superior goal difference means that if the Mariners don’t win against Wellington, Brisbane can claim the 2011/12 Premiership on goal difference (if Central Coast draw) or outright (if Central Coast lose) with victory against United at Skilled Park tonight.
The Roar’s domestic form was excellent before the Asian Champions League began. Since losing to FC Tokyo on matchday one of the continental competition, Brisbane’s form has been average.
Consecutive draws with Melbourne Heart and Adelaide United were followed by a hard-fought win against Newcastle away from home, before the Roar were thrown into the lion’s den when playing out a 1-1 result in a high-quality match against Beijing Guoan in the Chinese capital on Tuesday night.
With second spot on the ladder secured (Perth Glory in third place have the same amount of points as Brisbane but an inferior goal difference of 12), Ange Postecoglou may choose to rest many of his stars if the Mariners win in Wellington.
There is, however, an almost fully fit squad at the former Young Socceroos coach’s disposal. Only Luke Brattan and Rocky Visconte are unavailable due to injury.
Regardless of whether the Roar claims the Premiership or not, they will play Central Coast in a two-legged major semi-final starting next week and will continue their Champions League campaign for at least the next two months.
There is a lot going on in the back of Postecoglou’s mind.
This is a big moment in the history of Gold Coast United. With the club’s licence revoked, the future of the wooden spooners looks dire.
It may not be the last match a Gold Coast team plays in the A-League but it will almost certainly be the last game played by Gold Coast United.
Since the departure of Palmer, Gold Coast’s form has continued to improve.
An injection of a host of youth players into the team in the last two months has helped the Queenslanders claim one win and three draws from their last five matches.
Last week, Gold Coast beat a poor Perth Glory 3-0 at home.
Mike Mulvey has got GCU playing inspired football but they could be without some key personnel for this match.
Chris Harold and Golgol Mebrahtu are in some doubt and Ben Halloran has already been ruled out of the game.
With Brisbane’s motivation for the match likely to be influenced by the result in Wellington, I’m finding this match hard to pick.
I will pick two results. If winning the Premiership is still possible for the Roar after the Mariners-Phoenix match I will go with a 2-1 win for the Brisbane.
But if the Mariners secure the Premiership, I’m picking Gold Coast United to cause an upset and win what will probably be their final match in the A-League 2-0.
It’s the final match of the A-League regular season but depending on results, it could have a lot hinging on it. We’ll have live scores and commentary from the 6.30pm AEDT kick-off in what could be the final A-League game at Skilled Park for a long time. If you’re watching, let us know your thoughts in the space below.
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