The A League heads into the final stretch with a repeat of all the Round 1 games. Bizarrely NZ’s season is technically not dead yet as they can mathematically make the top 4 although it would take a minor miracle and a bizarre set of results to help them achieve it. Anything other than a win on Thursday, however, will bury them.
Queensland, on the other hand, are still very much alive but need results, and a bit of luck, to go their way. A win would lift them to fifth on the table.
On paper, therefore, this looks like a banker for the Roar but there are some danger men for the Knights and they should certainly not be underestimated. However, anything less than three points will be a disappointment for Miron Bleiberg’s men.
Danny Milosevic has also looked very shaky in goal all season, at odds with his early career promise.
In defence, NZ have shipped 33 goals in 14 matches, 13 goals more than any other team. This is despite a very experienced backline including former Leeds player Danny Hay, former Auckland Kingz centre back John Tambouras, and former Watford, Wolves and Walsall full back Darren Bazeley. Ronnie Bull, former Millwall and Grimsby player, fills in at left back
The weakness of this defence is its age. Emblen, with nearly 200 appearances for Wolves and who once cost Crystal Palace £2 million is 34. Bazeley, who made 180 appearances for Watford is 33. Hay is 30, giving the Knights a real lack of fresh legs and pace which, Jonti Richter in particular, will look to expose, just as he did at Lang Park in round 1. Only Bull, at 26, is under 30. There is some promise for the Knights with several good youngsters coming through including right back Cole Tinkler. Tinkler has had five starts so far and looks more accomplished with each performance.
The midfield also is on the elderly side. At right mid is Steve Fitzsimmons who played for the Strikers in the NSL as well as Parramatta Power. Central midfield will be Ben Collett who has been one of NZ’s promising youngsters. Neil Emblen is one of their key players having had experience with Wolves and Crystal Palace (once commanding a 2m GBP transfer fee) although his season has been blighted by injuries.
The Knights usually play three across the centre of midfield with Zenon Caravella and Josh Maguire with another former Striker, Joshua Rose on the left. Jeremy Christie is another promising youngster and grabbed a goal in the loss to Melbourne in Round 14.
Up front are two journeymen strikers in Sean Devine and Simon Yeo. When playing 4-5-1, it is usually ex Wycombe player Sean Devine who gets the start with Yeo coming on from the bench. 18 year old Jeremy Brockie has been impressing lately with some strong running
Season To Date
|
Rd 1 |
A |
Queensland Roar |
L 2-0 |
20,725 |
|
Rd 2 |
H |
Sydney FC |
L 3-1 |
9,827 |
|
Rd 3 |
A |
Central Coast Mariners |
W 2-0 |
5,231 |
|
Rd 4 |
A |
Newcastle Jets |
L 4-0 |
7,495 |
|
Rd 5 |
H |
Perth Glory |
L 1-0 |
4,938 |
|
Rd 6 |
H |
Adelaide United |
L 2-1 |
3,558 |
|
Rd 7 |
A |
Melbourne Victory |
L 3-0 |
11,010 |
|
Rd 8 |
H |
Queensland Roar |
L 2-0 |
4,182 |
|
Rd 9 |
A |
Sydney FC |
L 2-0 |
9,371 |
|
Rd 10 |
H |
Central Coast Mariners |
L 3-1 |
2,583 |
|
Rd 11 |
H |
Newcastle Jets |
L 4-2 |
2,500 |
|
Rd 12 |
A |
Perth Glory |
L 3-0 |
9,667 |
|
Rd 13 |
A |
Adelaide United |
L 1-0 |
9,676 |
|
Rd 14 |
H |
Melbourne Victory |
L 3-2 |
1,922 |
Leading Scorer: Yeo 3
Average Attendance: 4,216 (8th)
|
|
NZ |
Queensland |
|
Goals Scored |
9 |
8th |
13 |
7th |
|
Goals Conceded |
33 |
8th |
13 |
1st |
|
Clean Sheets |
1 |
8th |
6 |
1st |
|
|
|
|
|
|
TUQRS prediction: 3-0 win to Queensland
