Round 1 Preview

V

Newcastle Jets v Central Coast Mariners
Friday, August 15, 2008, 8pm AEST
EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle
Referee: Matthew Breeze

It’s the 2007/08 Grand Final rematch, local derby and the season opener all in the one match as Newcastle host the Mariners at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Friday night.

Some betting agencies have the Jets at $13 to retain their title, but it was a similar story last season, as Newcastle fans will no doubt remind anyone who will listen.

“Banned” goalkeeper Danny Vukovic will start for Central Coast and will surely be reminded of his misdemeanour by Jets supporters.

Newcastle’s Danish import Jesper Hakansson is missing due to a calf injury, while Jade North and James Holland will not be available having just compled international duty with the Olyroos in Beijing.

The match will be an early test of squad depth for the Mariners, as they have Mile Jedinak, Nigel Boogaard, Andre Gumprecht, Greg Owens and Dylan Macallister all unavailable.

Newcastle Jets Squad: 1. Ante Covic (gk), 2. Adam Griffiths, 7. Kaz Patafta, 8. Matt Thompson, 9. Joel Griffiths, 10. Jin-Hyung Song, 11. Tarek Elrich, 12. Jobe Wheelhouse, 13. Adam D’Apuzzo, 15. Jason Hoffman, 16. Ben Kantarovski, 17. Antun Kovacic, 18. Noel Spencer, 20. Ben Kennedy(gk), 23.Edmundo Zura.
*Two to be omitted

In: Jobe Wheelhouse (promoted), Ben Kantarovski (promoted)
Out: Jason Naidovski (not selected), Beau Busch (trial period ended), Jesper Hakansson (calf injury 1 week)
Unavailable: Jade North, James Holland, Shaun Ontong (ankle indefinite), Jesper Hakansson (calf 1 week)

Central Coast Mariners Squad: 4. Pedj Bojic, 5. Bradley Porter, 6. David D’Apuzzo, 7. John Hutchinson, 8. Dean Heffernan, 9. Nik Mrdja, 10. Adrian Caceres, 13. Paul O’Grady, 15. Andrew Clark, 17. Matthew Osman, 18. Alex Wilkinson, 19. Matt Simon, 20. Danny Vukovic (gk), 21. Ahmad Elrich, 22. Sasho Petrovski, 30. Andrew Redmayne (gk).

In: Pedj Bojic (Promoted), David D’Apuzzo (Promoted), Dean Heffernan (Promoted), Andrew Clark (Returns From Suspension), Andrew Redmayne (Promoted), Matt Simon (Return from national team duty)
Out: Andre Gumprecht (Knee Indefinite), Dylan Macallister (Ribs – Indefinite), Nigel Boogaard (Groin Indefinite), Mark Bosnich (Triallist Period Concluded)
Unavailable: Greg Owens (Hamstring Indefinite), Nigel Boogaard (Groin Indefinite), Mile Jedinak (Groin Indefinite)

V

Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory
Saturday, August 16 2008, 7pm AEST
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Referee: Mark Shield

The second game of the season is another blockbuster with arch-rivals Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory doing battle at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday night.

The sky blues have three players suspended and a further three out through injury, while Stuart Musialik and Mark Bridge are unlikely to be rushed back into the squad after playing for the Olyroos in Beijing on Wednesday night.

Melbourne coach Ernie Merrick has named his representative players Billy Celeski and Leigh Broxham in the squad and also has Kevin Muscat and Steve Pantelidis coming back from injuries.

Meanwhile Sydney FC coach will be forced to throw rookie striker Chris Payne in at the deep end. Sydney’s chances of a result probably hinge on whether the 17-year old sinks or swims in his A-League debut.

Sydney FC Squad: 1. Clint Bolton (gk), 2. Iain Fyfe, 3. Nick Tsattalios, 4. Simon Colosimo, 6. Tony Popovic, 7. Robbie Middleby, 10. Steve Corica, 12. Shannon Cole, 15. Terry Mcflynn, 16. Chris Payne, 17. Jacob Timpano, 18. Adam Casey, 20. Ivan Necevski (gk), 21. Adam Biddle, 24. Ryan Walsh, 25. Robbie Mileski.
*One to be omitted

In: Simon Colosimo (return suspension), Chris Payne (new signing), Clint Bolton (return from injury), Shannon Cole (new signing), Robbie Mileski (replacement player)
Out: John Filan (trial period ended), Chris Van Leur (trial period ended), Alex Brosque (suspended – 1 week), Mitchell Prentice (suspended 2 weeks) and Dez Giraldi (suspended 1 week)
Unavailable: Stuart Musialik (national team duty) Mark Bridge (national team duty), John Aloisi (foot injury 1 week), Brendon Santalab (thigh injury 2 weeks) and Mike Enfield (knee injury 6 weeks)

Melbourne Victory Squad: 1. Michael Theoklitos (gk), 2. Kevin Muscat (Captain), 3. Michael Thwaite, 4. Steven Pace, 5. Sebastian Ryall, 6. Steve Pantelidis, 7. Matthew Kemp, 9. Danny Allsopp, 11. Ney Fabiano, 12. Rodrigo Vargas, 13. Nathan Elasi, 14. Billy Celeski, 15. Tom Pondeljak, 16. Carlos Hernandez, 17. Jose Luis Lopez, 18. Leigh Broxham, 19. Evan Berger, 20. Mitchell Langerak (gk).
*Three to be omitted

In: Kevin Muscat (return from injury), Steve Pantelidis (returned from injury), Billy Celeski (return from national team duty), Leigh Broxham (return from national team duty)
Out: Nick Ward (calf 1 week)
Unavailable: Grant Brebner (groin 2 weeks), Archie Thompson (ankle 2 weeks), Daniel Vasilevski (hip 4 weeks)

V

Wellington Phoenix v Queensland Roar
Sunday, August 17 2008, 5pm NZST (3pm AEST)
Westpac Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand
Referee: Ben Williams

Many pundits have tipped Wellington to be the most improved team in the league this season and Queensland Roar will prove to be a solid initial test of their credentials on Sunday.

Off-season recruitment by Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert was certainly impressive, although his squad is probably short of a strong forward to take some pressure off striker Shane Smeltz.

Queensland have an abundance of attacking talent but could be found out in defence, with Craig Moore another year older and the departure of strong centre half Sasa Ognenovski.

Wellington Phoenix Squad: 1. Mark Paston (gk), 2. Jeremy Christie, 3. Tony Lochhead, 4. Jon McKain, 5. Karl Dodd, 6. Tim Brown, 7. Leo Bertos, 8. Vaughan Coveny, 9. Shane Smeltz, 10. Michael Ferrante, 11. Daniel, 12. Richard Johnson, 13. Troy Hearfield, 15. Adam Kwasnik, 16. David Mulligan, 18. Ben Sigmund, 20. Glen Moss (gk), 21. Leilei Gao, 22. Andrew Durante (Captain), 23. Costa Barbarouses, 25. Manny Muscat
* six to be omitted

In: Jeremy Christie (promoted), Tony Lochhead (return from trials), Tim Brown (promoted), Costa Barbarouses (promoted), Andrew Durante (return from suspension), David Mulligan (new signing)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Vince Lia (knee season), Greg Draper (national duty -1 week)

Queensland Roar Squad: 1. Liam Reddy (gk), 3. Luke Devere, 5. Josh Mccloughan, 6. Dave Dodd, 7. Michael Zullo, 8. Massimo Murdocca, 9. Sergio Van Dijk, 10. Charlie Miller, 11. Reinaldo, 14. Ben Griffin, 15. Matt Mckay, 16. Hyuk-Su Seo, 18. Danny Tiatto, 20. Griffin Mcmaster (Rgk), 23. Tim Smits.

In: Josh McCloughan (returned from injury)
Out: Craig Moore (suspended 1 week)
Unavailable: Andrew Packer (injured), Isaka Cernak (injured)

V

Adelaide United vs Perth Glory
Sunday, August 17 2008, 4.30pm ACST (5pm AEST)
Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Referee: Peter Green

It will be interesting to see how much influence the off-season losses of young guns Bruce Djite and Nathan Burns will have on Adelaide United.

The Reds will be without Diego and Cassio through injuries and Olyroo Kristian Sarkies not named in the squad by Adelaide coach Aurelio Vidmar. However Paul Agostino returns and should provide a decent option up front.

It’s not good news for Perth, losing Jamie Harnwell and Hayden Foxe to injuries and with Olyroos representatives Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Nikita Rukavytsya and Tando Velaphi not available.

Adelaide United Squad: 20. Eugene Galekovic (gk), 2. Robert Cornthwaite, 3. Alemao, 4. Angelo Costanzo, 7. Lucas Pantelis, 9. Paul Agostino, 10. Cristiano, 11. Robert Younis, 12. Paul Reid, 13. Travis Dodd (Captain), 14. Scott Jamieson, 15. Jonas Salley, 16. Daniel Mullen, 18. Fabian Barbiero, 19. Sasa Ognenovski, 21. Jason Spagnuolo, 30. Mark Birighitti (gk).
*Two to be omitted

In. Paul Agostino (returns from injury), Sasa Ognenovski (returns from injury), Robert Younis (promoted), Paul Reid (promoted)
Out. Cassio (calf 2 weeks), Michael Valkanis (knee 2 weeks)
Unavailable. Diego (hamstring 2 weeks), Kristian Sarkies (international duty 1 week), Daniel Beltrame (knee season), Isyan Erdogan (hamstring indefinite)

Perth Glory Squad: 1. Jason Petkovic (gk), 3. David Tarka, 4. Jamie Coyne, 6. Dino Djulbic, 7. Nick Rizzo, 8. James Robinson, 9. Adrian Trinidad, 10. Amaral, 11. Scott Bulloch, 14. Eugene Dadi, 15. Hayden Doyle, 16. Adriano Pellegrino, 17. James Downey, 19. Naum Sekulovski, 20. Frank Juric (gk), 21. Mark Lee.
*One to be omitted

In. Dino Djulbic (promoted)
Out. Nil
Unavailable. Nikolai Topor-Stanley (International Team Duty), Jamie Harnwell (Hip Test), Josip Magdic (Ankle Test), Nikita Rukavytsya (International Team Duty), Hayden Foxe (Foot 3 Weeks), Tando Velaphi (International Team Duty)

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Real Football