FINALS SERIES MATCH PREVIEW: Gold Coast United v Melbourne Victory
By: Victory Offsider | February 18th, 2011
After 30 weeks of grueling, controversy filled weeks of match action the 2010/11 season takes a turn home as the Finals Series begin. Stop one on the road to the final for Melbourne begins at Skilled Park as the mighty Victory take on the Gold Coast.
Form Guide
Gold Coast roll up to the finals bruised and tarnished having won one game in the last 5 where they’ve conceded 10 goals. However Gold Coast will be no walk in the park, there is some added tension ever since Gold Coast coach Miron Bleiberg labelled Victory ‘dirty’ following their 2-0 loss at AAMI Park last month.
Melbourne Victory have the privilege of heading into this game with most of their first 11 in line to play this game. With Matthew Kemp, Surat Sukha, Archie Thompson and Carlos Hernandez all recovering from their season-lasting blues to finally line up together. The headache for coach Ernie Merrick is how to balance his front third with Danny Allsopp, Robbie Kruse, Mate Dugandzic, Archie Thompson and Ricardinho all fighting for a first 11 spot.
Their Manager
It’s safe to say that Miron Bleiberg isn’t the most popular man in Melbourne ever since his scathing attack last month at AAMI Park. Was it the start of the famous ‘mind games’ or was it a real attack? The motive won’t matter as Miron would be under great pressure to do well in the Finals Series following their first round elimination to Newcastle last year.
In and Outs
Gold Coast welcome back strikers Bruce Djite and Joel Porter, Bas Van Den Brink also returns for Gold Coast. John Curtis, Robson and Jason Culina all miss out through injury.
Melbourne also gets a boost in the team as Leigh Broxham, Billy Celeski and Grant Brebner return from injury. Kevin Muscat misses out as he serves his 8 game suspension.
Man in the Middle
Strebre Delovski will be taking charge of this game with Hakan Anaz and Scott Adeling his assistants.
AAMI Park Connections
Out of their 23 man squad, 4 current players have come from the Victory. Glen Moss, Michael Thwaite, Steve Pantelidis and Daniel Piorkowski have at some time played for Melbourne.
Daniel Piorkowski made 30 appearances for Melbourne over an injury-scarred run from 2005 till 2008. He was an integral member of the 2006/07 Championship winning squad up until an injury halted his season. He moved on in 2008 to Newcastle Jets.
Steve Pantelidis also joined Melbourne in 2005 and made 58 appearances for Melbourne including one in the 6-0 drubbing of Adelaide United in the 2006/07 Grand Final. He holds two A-league Championship medals but made no appearances in the 2008/09 season. He signed for Gold Coast the following season.
Michael Thwaite signed for Melbourne in the pre-season following the 2007/08 campaign. He joined Victory from Norwegian side SK Brann following 5 years overseas. He played 16 times for Melbourne and holds a winners medal.
Glen Moss made 14 appearances for Victory after having played for Wellington Phoenix and the New Zealand Knights. He signed a 2-year deal with Gold Coast at the start of the season to replace Jess Vanstrattan as Gold Coast’s #1.
Last Time They Met
Victory proved to much for Gold Coast as Danny Allsopp scored a brace to seal Victory a spot in the finals for the fourth time.
Full Squads
Gold Coast United: 1.Glen MOSS [gk], 2.Steve PANTELIDIS, 3.Michael THWAITE (c), 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Zenon CARAVELLA, 8.ANDERSON, 9.Shane SMELTZ, 11.Bruce DJITE, 13.Bas VAN DEN BRINK, 14.Joel PORTER, 15.Tahj MINNIECON, 16.Kristian REES, 20.Scott HIGGINS [gk], 22.Adama TRAORE, 23.Steve FITZSIMMONS, 26.Ben HALLORAN, 27.Chris HAROLD, 32.Steven LUSTICA, 33.Peter PERCHTOLD. *Three to be omitted*
In: 11.Bruce DJITE (return from hamstring injury), 13.Bas VAN DEN BRINK (return from ankle injury), 14.Joel PORTER (return from calf injury), 26.Ben HALLORAN (promoted).
Out: Nil.
Unavailable: John CURTIS (shoulder injury – unknown), 10.Jason CULINA (knee injury – season), ROBSON (hamstring injury – 2 weeks), Daniel PIORKOWSKI (ankle injury – indefinite).
Melbourne Victory: 1.Michael PETKOVIC (gk), 3. Mate DUGANDZIC, 4. Petar FRANJIC, 5. Surat SUKHA, 6. Leigh BROXHAM, 7. Matthew KEMP, 8. Grant BREBNER, 9. RICARDINHO, 10. Archie THOMPSON, 11. Marvin ANGULO, 12. Rodrigo VARGAS, 13. Diogo FERREIRA, 14. Billy CELESKI, 15. Tom PONDELJAK, 16. Carlos HERNANDEZ, 17. Matthew FOSCHINI, 18. Danny ALLSOPP, 20. Sebastian MATTEI (gk), 21. Robbie KRUSE, 23. Adrian LEIJER (c) *Four to be omitted*
In: Leigh BROXHAM (returns from injury), Billy CELESKI (returns from injury), Grant BREBNER (returns from injury), RICARDINHO (promoted)
Out:
Unavailable: Kevin MUSCAT (suspension).
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