A-League Previews Round 5

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Hyundai A-League Round 5 Preview

With 54 goals in just 20 games already scored in Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season, Round 5 kicks-off on Thursday night when Melbourne Victory play host to Newcastle Jets at Etihad Stadium.

Friday sees Adelaide United cross the Tasman to play Wellington Phoenix and Perth Glory visit Central Coast Mariners at Bluetongue Stadium.

Top of the table Sydney FC travel north to take on second placed Gold Coast United while Brisbane fly to Townsville to take on North Queensland Fury at Dairy Farmers Stadium.

This is the Official Preview for the Hyundai A-League Round 5. Please note squads are subject to change.

Stats, Facts & Milestones

Round 4 saw the passing of the 50 goal mark for the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season with Perth Glory’s Branko Jelic hitting the mark with his match-winning 54th minute strike at ME Bank Stadium on Friday night.

Will it be 100 goals before Round 10? Can Sydney FC continue their unbeaten start to the season?

Weekend Matches

Melbourne Victory v Newcastle Jets
Thursday 3 September, 2009
Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
Local kick-off 7.30pm AEST
Referee: Chris Beath

Live & exclusive broadcast on Fox Sports 3.
To purchase tickets visit www.ticketmaster.com.au

Melbourne Victory: 1.Mitchell LANGERAK (gk), 5.Surat SUKHA, 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 7.Matthew KEMP, 8.Grant BREBNER, 9.Danny ALLSOPP, 10.Archie THOMPSON, 11.NEY FABIANO, 12.Rodrigo VARGAS (c), 14.Billy CELESKI, 15.Tom PONDELJAK, 17.Matthew FOSCHINI, 20.Glen MOSS (gk), 22.Nick WARD, 23.Adrian LEIJER

In: Matthew KEMP (promoted)

Out: Carlos HERNANDEZ (international duty)

Others Unavailable: Evan BERGER (groin - 3/4 weeks), Kevin MUSCAT (hamstring - 1 week)

Newcastle Jets Squad: 1. Ben KENNEDY (gk), 2. Angelo COSTANZO, 3. Adam D’APUZZO, 4. Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, 5. Ljubo MILICEVIC, 7. Jin-Hyung SONG, 8. Matt THOMPSON (c), 9. Sasho PETROVSKI, 10. Donny DE GROOT, 11. Tarek ELRICH, 15. Sean ROONEY, 16. Jason HOFFMAN, 17. Fabio VIGNAROLI, 19. Jason NAIDOVSKI, 20. Neil YOUNG (gk), 22. Kaz PATAFTA, 24. Chris TRIANTIS, 25. Labinot HALITI *three to be omitted

In: Labinot HALITI (new player), Donny DE GROOT (promoted), Chris TRIANTIS (promoted)

Out: Shaun ONTONG (Achilles – indefinite)

Others Unavailable: Jobe WHEELHOUSE (ankle – 2 weeks), Marko JESIC (knee – indefinite), Ben KANTAROVSKI (ankle – 1/2 weeks)

Stats, Facts & Milestones
Melbourne goalkeeper Glen Moss is set to make his 50th Australian national league appearance. Before joining the Victory this year Moss played at Sydney Olympic (3 appearances), New Zealand Knights (9 appearances) and Wellington Phoenix (33)

HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORDS in all official competitions
All matches (played 12): Melbourne Victory wins 3, Newcastle Jets wins 7, Drawn 2
In Melbourne (played 6): Melbourne Victory wins 2, Newcastle Jets wins 3, Drawn 1


Wellington Phoenix v Adelaide United
Friday 4 September 2009
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Local Kick-off: 7.30pm NZST (5.30pm AEST)
Referee: Michael Hester

Live & exclusive broadcast on Fox Sports 3 and Sky Sports 1.
Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is The Radio Network 1035 AM (Wellington).
To purchase tickets visit www.ticktek.co.nz

Wellington Phoenix Squad: 1. Mark PASTON (gk), 3. Tony LOCHHEAD, 4. Jon McKAIN, 5. DIEGO, 6. Tim BROWN, 7. Leo BERTOS, 8. Paul IFILL. 9. Chris GREENACRE, 10. Michael FERRANTE, 11. DANIEL, 12. Jiang CHEN, 13. Troy HEARFIELD, 16. David MULLIGAN, 17. Vince LIA, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 20. Reece CROWTHER (gk), 21. Marco ROJAS, 22. Andrew DURANTE (c), 23. Costa BARBAROUSES *four to be omitted

In: Mark PASTON (gk) (return from personal leave), Tim BROWN (promoted), Jiang CHEN (promoted), David MULLIGAN (promoted), Marco ROJAS (promoted), Costa BARBAROUSES (promoted)

Out: Manny MUSCAT (international duty), Jonathan GOULD (gk) (short-term cover)

Others Unavailable: Adrian CACERES (new signing)

Adelaide United Squad: 1.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 3.ALEMAO, 4.Iain FYFE, 5.Daniel MULLEN, 7.Lucas PANTELIS (c), 9.CRISTIANO, 10.Adam HUGHES, 11.Lloyd OWUSU, 12.Paul REID, 15.Francesco MONTEROSSO, 16.Inseob SHIN, 17.Michael MARRONE, 19. Mathew Leckie, 20.Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk), 21.Mark RUDAN, 23.Joe COSTA *one to be omitted

In: Francesco MONTEROSSO (promoted), Joe COSTA (promoted), Mathew Leckie (new player)

Out: Robert CORNTHWAITE (suspended – 2 weeks), Scott JAMIESON (calf – 1 week)

Others Unavailable: CASSIO (calf – 2 weeks), Kristian SARKIES (calf – indefinite), Travis DODD (calf – 1 week), Fabian BARBIERO (calf – 1 week)

Stats, Facts & Milestones
Wellington Phoenix are on their way to one of the longest undefeated home streaks in Hyundai A-League history. The Phoenix are aiming for their eighth consecutive undefeated match at home

This match marks Adelaide United’s 100th Hyundai A-League match – the first club to achieve this milestone

HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD in all official competitions
All matches (played 6); Wellington Phoenix wins 0, Adelaide United wins 4, Drawn 2
At Westpac ME Bank (played 6); Wellington Phoenix wins 0, Adelaide United wins 1, Drawn 2

Central Coast Mariners v Perth Glory
Friday, 4 September, 2009
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Local kick-off: 8.00pm (AEST)
Referee: Ben Williams

Live & exclusive broadcast on Fox Sports 3.
Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is Coast FM 96.3 (Gosford) and 6PR 882AM (Perth).
To purchase tickets visit www.ticktek.com.au

Central Coast Mariners: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 4. Pedj BOJIC, 5. Brad PORTER, 7. John HUTCHINSON, 8. Dean HEFFERNAN, 9. Nik MRDJA, 11. Dylan MACALLISTER, 12. Matthew LEWIS, 14. Michael McGLINCHEY, 15. Andrew CLARK, 16. Nigel BOOGAARD, 18. Alex WILKINSON (c), 19. Matt SIMON, 20. Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 21. Ahmad ELRICH, 22. Nicky TRAVIS, 23. Adam KWASNIK, 27. Wolry WOLFE. *three to be omitted

In: Dylan MACALLISTER (promoted), Matthew LEWIS (promoted), Wolry WOLFE (new signing)

Out: Nil

Others Unavailable: Chris DOIG (calf - 2 weeks), Shane HUKE (knee - 6 weeks)

Perth Glory Squad: 1.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 4.Andy TODD, 6.Chris COYNE, 7.Jacob BURNS (c), 8.Victor SIKORA, 10.Wayne SRHOJ, 11.Branko JELIC, 12.Scott NEVILLE, 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17.Todd HOWARTH, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 20.Aleks VRTESKI (gk), 21.Mile STERJOVSKI, 23.Andrija JUKIC, 24.Matthew MAYORA, 25.AMARAL *one to be omitted

In: Andrija JUKIC (promoted)

Out: Nil

Others Unavailable: Jamie COYNE (knee – 1 week), Jimmy DOWNEY (knee – 3 weeks), Anthony SKORICH (hip – 4 weeks)

Stats, Facts & Milestones
Perth Gory midfielder Mile Sterjovski is set to make his 300th appearance at national league level. Sterjovski joined the Glory this year after stints at Wollongong Wolves, Sydney United, Parramatta Power, Lille, Basel, Genclerbirligi OFTAS and Derby County

HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORDS in all official competitions
All matches (played 12): Central Coast Mariners wins 8, Perth Glory wins 1, Drawn 3
In Brisbane (played 6): Central Coast Mariners wins 6, Perth Glory wins 0, Drawn 0

Gold Coast United v Sydney FC
Saturday 5 September 2009
Skilled Park, Gold Coast
Local kick-off: 5.00pm AEST
Referee: Strebre Delovski

Live & exclusive broadcast on Fox Sports 3.
To purchase tickets visit www.ticktek.com.au

Gold Coast United Squad: 20.Scott HIGGINS (gk), 2.Steve PANTELIDIS, 3.Michael THWAITE (c), 4.Daniel PIORKOWSKI, 5.ROBSON, 7.Zenon CARAVELLA, 9.Shane SMELTZ, 11.MILSON, 13.Bas VAN DEN BRINK, 14.Joel PORTER, 15.Tahj MINNIECON, 16.Kristian REES, 17.Matt OSMAN, 22.Adama TRAORE, 23.Steve FITZSIMMONS, 24.ANDERSON, 40.Robbie BAJIC *two to be omitted

In: ROBSON (return from groin injury), Tahj MINNIECON (promoted), Matt OSMAN (promoted)

Out: Jason CULINA (international duty)

Others Unavailable: JEFFERSON (knee injury – 6 weeks), Jess VANSTRATTAN (ankle injury – 3 weeks)

Sydney FC Squad: 1. Clint BOLTON (gk), 3. Stephan KELLER, 4. Simon COLOSIMO, 6. Karol KISEL, 7. Brendan GAN, 8. Stuart MUSIALIK, 9. John ALOISI, 10. Steve CORICA (c), 11. Kofi DANNING, 12. Shannon COLE, 14. Alex BROSQUE, 17. Matthew JURMAN, 18. Adam CASEY, 19. Mark BRIDGE, 20. Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 22. Sung Hwan BYUN, 23. Rhyan GRANT. *two to be omitted

In: Stuart MUSIALIK (promoted), Adam CASEY (promoted), Rhyan GRANT (promoted), Stuart MUSIALIK (promoted)

Out: Terry MCFLYNN (thigh – 4 weeks)

Others Unavailable: Mitchell PRENTICE (back – 1 week)

Stats, Facts & Milestones
Sydney FC are undefeated in their past five matches and are aiming to go for six matches without defeat for the first time since November/December 2006

Despite not scoring in their previous match, Gold Coast United are still on the verge of a Hyundai A-League record for one of the most valuable attacking sprees in Hyundai A-League history. Gold Coast have scored 10 goals in their past four matches - the most number of goals scored in five consecutive matches is 13

HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORDS in all official competitions
n/a

North Queensland Fury v Brisbane Roar
Saturday 5 September 2009
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
Local kick-off: 7.00pm AEST
Referee: Matthew Breeze

Live & exclusive broadcast on Fox Sports 3.
To purchase tickets visit www.ticktek.com.au

North Queensland Fury Squad: 1.Paul HENDERSON (gk), 2.Robbie MIDDLEBY, 3.Chris TADROSSE, 6.Ufuk TALAY 7.Jason SPAGNUOLO, 9.Robbie FOWLER (c), 11.David WILLIAMS, 14.Chris GROSSMAN, 15.Fred AGIUS, 16.Paul KOHLER, 18.James ROBINSON, 19.Daniel MCBREEN, 20.Justin PASFIELD (gk), 21.John TAMBOURAS 22.Karl DODD, 23.Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 24.Dyron DAAL *two to be omitted

In: Jason SPAGNUOLO (promoted), David WILLIAMS (returns from injury), John TAMBOURAS (promoted)

Out: Shane STEFANUTTO (international duty)

Others Unavailable: Scott Wilson (foot – 2weeks), Jacob Timpano (hamstring – indefinite), Jeremy Brockie (quadriceps – 4 weeks)

Brisbane Roar Squad: 1. Liam REDDY (gk), 3. Luke DEVERE, 4. Craig MOORE (c), 5. Josh McCLOUGHAN, 6. David DODD, 7. Michael ZULLO, 9. Sergio VAN DIJK, 10. Charlie MILLER, 11. REINALDO, 12. Matt MUNDY, 13. HENRIQUE, 16. Bob MALCOLM, 17. Mitch NICHOLS, 18. Danny TIATTO, 20. Griffin McMASTER (gk), 21. Tommy OAR, 24. Robbie KRUSE. *two to be omitted

In: Josh McCLOUGHAN (returns from injury), Tommy OAR (returns from suspension), Michael ZULLO (promoted)

Out: Matt McKAY (injured – 6/8 weeks)

Others Unavailable: Andrew PACKER (adductor - 2/3 months), Massimo MURDOCCA (fractured leg - 3/4 months)

Stats, Facts & Milestones
Having conceded 12 goals in their last four matches, North Queensland Fury have avoided the record for most goals conceded in four consecutive matches (13). The Fury will now be aiming to avoid the record for conceding most goals in five consecutive matches (16 – set by Perth Glory, between Rounds 3 and 7 in 2008/09)

HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORDS in all official competitions
n/a

Note: Match date and kick-off times are subject to change without notice.