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.
Axelv
Guest
That looks like the final nail in Gold Coast's coffin to me, pathetic showing from the Gold Coast public, as much as Clive Palmer is to blame for the disaster, the Gold Coast public haven't done their bit either when it's counted most. I feel sorry for the couple of thousand fans that they do have and admire their loyalty and resilience, sadly their club is almost certainly finished. Even if those wanting to save Gold Coast can produce the money, such as an Asian investor wanting to rescue them, it would be totally pointless unless they can propose a plan where they promise to saturate themselves in the local football teams, offering promotions, deals and free tickets etc to try get people hooked, and to remind every person who plays football on the Gold Coast that they have a club at national level that they can support, as well as a pathway into one day playing for that team. This would give them hope of getting the crowds back, but it should have been done 4 years ago (well before a ball was kicked), seems like it's too late for that now and it'll take a miracle for Gold Coast to be rescued. On top of all that, the most attractive thing for fans attending a football match is atmosphere, it's a unique thing to football and it separates the football experience from any other sport in Australia. I believe this to be a nationwide problem where the FFA have restricted active support to all football clubs, and fans cannot stand and sing in the active section unless they have an 'active membership', which makes it impossible to grow the active section of the stadium, that was so loud and successful in the early years. If they encourage more louder passionate fans, it will enhance the experience of going to the game and the atmosphere that you just can't get from watching on TV, do this and the people who go to the games will enjoy themselves and want to come back, including all the non active fans!
Justin Cinque
Expert
Again from my point of view, it's a shame this young team will be broken up but there isn't enough interest in football on the Gold Coast to warrant another team. As Mark Bosnich tells Fox viewers, Western Sydney needs a team because it's the heart of football in this country. Living in western Sydney, I can't help but think he's right. For probably the last ten years at least, the round ball game has been the most popular sport in my suburb. When I walk down the streets I'll see people wearing the football jerseys of clubs from all around the world. And I don't see as many people donning rugby league, rugby union or AFL jumpers. It is football territory.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Thanks for your company tonight. Probably the last match Gold Coast United will play
philipcoates
Guest
Agree best wooden soon team but they dont deserve to be in the league with their spectator support which doesn't exist beyond a few hundred hard core people,
Justin Cinque
Expert
So Brisbane Roar enter the finals with winning form. They will play the first leg of their two-legged major semi with Central Coast at Suncorp next Saturday afternoon.
philipcoates
Guest
6102 and the vast majority are Bris supporters. GCU have some of the best young players in the league and yet Gold Coast don't deserve a team when the supporters cant come and show the FFA that they actually want a team. Terrible effort from their non-existent supporters.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Fair call
Justin Cinque
Expert
Berisha looks to have played himself out of form. A few poor misses in the ACL on Tuesday and one really shocking miss tonight must be hurting his confidence. His touch isn't as sharp as what it was two or three weeks ago. Brisbane Roar really need a sharp Berisha. He's their match winner.
Roarsome
Guest
GCU-The best wooden spoon team in the history of the A-League. Let's hope they go around next season. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Justin Cinque
Expert
FULL TIME Gold Coast United 1-2 Brisbane Roar So Brisbane Roar had to play knowing that their Premiership defence had failed. They rested many good players and trialled 1-0 at HT after Daniel Bowles put GCU ahead after profiting from a brilliant long ball. But the Roar came out in the second half with a bang. After sustained pressure, Fitzgerald got Brisbane level before George Lambadaridis scored the winner from outside the box at the death. GCU ran out of steam while Brisbane's constant attack on the GCU penalty bore fruit. Michael Thwaite says "there's more negatives than positifves at the moment but hopefully we can keep a youth team here on the Gold Coast" Brisbane too good in the end.
Justin Cinque
Expert
90+3 Gold Coast United 1-2 Brisbane Roar Free kick is straight into the wall. And that's it. Brisbane win 2-1 after trialling 1-0 at HT. Good game of football, plenty of youth on display. GCU bow out of the A-League losers, Brisbane win consecutive games in the HAL on the road to take good momentum into the finals.
Justin Cinque
Expert
90+3 Gold Coast United 1-2 Brisbane Roar Now Rigters wins a late free kick on the edge of the area with not much time left. 3 minutes of added time almost up here.
Justin Cinque
Expert
90+2 Gold Coast United 1-2 Brisbane Roar Brisbane continue to go on the attack. They look to have it in their keeping.
Justin Cinque
Expert
89′ Gold Coast United 1-2 Brisbane Roar GCU win it and give it straight it back. Lambadiridis!!! What a goal. Gets it at 25 yards and goes bang. Winner. Lambadaridis with the long name, scores a brilliant long goal. He curls it home. Brisbane have a late winner here!!
Justin Cinque
Expert
89′ Gold Coast United 1-1 Brisbane Roar No long left now. It looks like a 1-1 will be the end score here. You can never be sure though...
Justin Cinque
Expert
87′ Gold Coast United 1-1 Brisbane Roar Minniecon tries to take on two Roar players. Big error and the Roar come hard from deep in defence. GCU win it D and Bang it up field.
Justin Cinque
Expert
87′ Gold Coast United 1-1 Brisbane Roar Now the Roar break. It is cut back by Henrique. Berisha must score. MISSES. From point blank range. WOW! He's got the yips Berisha. In no form.
Justin Cinque
Expert
84′ Gold Coast United 1-1 Brisbane Roar GCU in heind here. Macallister tries to find Rigters but his touch lets him down. And Brisbane break again. GCU with plenty of touch come again. Troare's ball over the back. GCU throw in in a good area.
Justin Cinque
Expert
83′ Gold Coast United 1-1 Brisbane Roar Brattan is subbed for Mundy. 6102 in at the ground.
Justin Cinque
Expert
83′ Gold Coast United 1-1 Brisbane Roar Brattan drives it from a mile. Tyson juggles the ball and eventually has it under control.