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Door open for Gold Coast’s young guns

Door open for Gold Coast’s young guns

MIRON Bleiberg is likely to field a youthful forward line this Sunday when his Gold Coast United side face Melbourne Victory at Skilled Park, with both sides looking to register their first win of the new campaign.

With Shane Smeltz in the process of finalising his move to Turkey and Joel Porter still nursing a hamstring strain, the door has opened for Gold Coast’s cluster of promising youngsters, although Bleiberg remained tight-lipped on who will begin the match as his strike-force against an experienced Victory rearguard.

Porter’s hamstring will be tested at tomorrow’s (Saturday) final training session but will not be risked if there is any doubt over his fitness. Also unlikely to figure is Brazilian midfielder Robson, who picked up a minor groin strain at training.

Robson’s absence is less of an issue for United who are blessed with a plentiful number of midfielders, but when questioned by local media this morning on plans for his attack, the United boss was crystal clear.

“We will play the youngsters, it’s as simple as that,” Bleiberg said.

“Our intention is to play attacking football and we are confident that whoever we put in the starting side will be up to the job and will perform well for us.

“There will be young players on the field and young players on the bench. We are excited about it because they are good players and their chance has come.”

One of the candidates to replace Smeltz in Gold Coast’s attack over the course of this season is speed machine Tahj Minniecon.

The 21-year-old’s first season with United was blighted by injury, but the pacy striker is hoping to capitalise on the hole left in Gold Coast’s attack by Smeltz’s departure.

“Shane leaving definitely presents a chance for the likes of me, Golgol (Mebrahtu), Browny (James Brown), Andrew Barisic and Ben Halloran to show what we can do,” Minniecon said.

“There is a lot of depth in this squad and even though everyone is saying we will miss his goals, if we all keep working for each other then the goals will come again, but we have to share them around a bit more.

“I’ve learned a lot from Shane and hopefully I can put that to good use. I want to fulfil my potential here,” he said.

In other news, Gold Coast’s 20-year-old goalkeeper, Jerrad Tyson, has joined North Queensland Fury on a short-term loan deal as injury cover for Matt Ham. If his registration is completed on time, Tyson will be included in Fury’s 15-man squad for the clash against Adelaide United at Dairy Farmers Stadium.

Hyundai A-League Week 4 - Sunday 29 August 2010

GOLD COAST UNITED v MELBOURNE VICTORY

At Skilled Park, Robina

Kick-off: 3.00pm (local).

Referee: Ben Williams.

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 3, FS3 HD. To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au

Gold Coast United Squad:

1.Glen MOSS (gk), 2.Steve PANTELIDIS, 3.Michael THWAITE, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Zenon CARAVELLA, 8.ANDERSON, 10.Jason CULINA (c), 13.Bas VAN DEN BRINK, 14.Joel PORTER, 15.Tahj MINNIECON, 16.Kristian REES, 18.James BROWN, 19.Andrew BARISIC, 20.Scott HIGGINS (gk), 21.Golgol MEBRAHTU, 22.Adama TRAORE, 24.John CURTIS, 26.Ben HALLORAN.

*Three to be omitted*

In: 19.Andrew BARISIC (promoted), 21.Golgol MEBRAHTU (promoted), 22.Adama TRAORE (promoted), 24.John CURTIS (return from calf injury), 26.Ben HALLORAN (promoted).

Out: 9.Shane SMELTZ (overseas), 5.ROBSON (groin injury – 1 week).

Unavailable: Daniel Piorkowski (ankle injury – 4 weeks), Matt Osman (knee injury – indefinite).

Melbourne Victory squad:

1.Michael PETKOVIC (gk), 2.Kevin MUSCAT (c), 3.Mate DUGANDZIC, 5.Surat SUKHA, 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 8.Grant BREBNER, 11.Marvin ANGULO, 12.Rodrigo VARGAS, 13.Diogo FERREIRA, 14.Billy CELESKI, 15.Tom PONDELJAK, 16.Carlos HERNANDEZ, 17.Matthew FOSCHINI, 19.Evan BERGER, 20.Sebastian MATTEI (gk), 21.Robbie KRUSE, 22.Nick WARD, 23.Adrian LEIJER, 27.Geoff KELLAWAY.

*four to be omitted*

In: 14.Billy CELESKI (returns from injury), 17.Matthew FOSCHINI (promoted), 22.Nick WARD (promoted), 8.Grant BREBNER (returns from soreness).

Out: Nil.

Unavailable: Archie THOMPSON (knee - indefinite), Matthew KEMP (knee - indefinite).

Head-to-Head: All matches (played 3): Gold Coast United 1 win, Melbourne Victory 2 wins