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United out to settle a score with Victory

Gold Coast meet Victory on the neutral ground of Aurora Stadium in Launceston determined to avenge the 3-2 loss to the Melbourne outfit at AAMI Park back in late November.

United fought back from two controversial penalties that day to level through Dylan Macalliser and Peter Jungschlager, but a header from Carlos Hernandez eleven minutes from time gave the points to the home side.

“We really owe Melbourne Victory one for the result the last time we played them,” the United skipper said. “That kind of thing has happened to us a few times this season and it stays with you.

“I’m sure there will be a result either way in this one. A draw isn’t much use for either side and it goes without saying that we need a win.

“They like to play on the counter and we feel like we’re capable of scoring goals, especially against a team like Melbourne who have so many good attacking players but are less defensively-minded.

“Like I say most weeks, we can’t focus too much on our opponents and what they might do. Of course we want to work on their weaknesses, but more importantly, we have to work on our strengths.”

The midweek fixture means Thwaite and his teammates don’t have to wait a full week to resume competitive action after Fridays match against Central Coast Mariners was postponed due to wet weather. Thwaite said their eagerness to get back on the paddock was illustrated by a highly competitive training stint prior to departing for Tasmania.

“Before we left we had a really intense training session with plenty of energy and determination, even though the ground was very heavy and muddy after all the rain. After our game was postponed on Friday we’re hungrier than ever to play and it showed in training,” he said.

“But for me there were some very good signs in that session and they’re things we want to take into the game on Wednesday.”

Dutch striker Maceo Rigters returns for United, but they will be without goalkeeper Jerrad Tyson who is sidelined with a wrist injury. Former Australian U20 & U23 custodian Chris O’Connor, who signed a short-term injury replacement contract when Glen Moss tore his groin, will start between the posts for Miron Bleiberg’s men.

As he fine-tuned his preparations the Gold Coast Head Coach took his troops through their paces at Aurora Stadium on Tuesday morning and declared the lush, green playing field to be in fine shape ahead of the clash.

“There’s a lot of interest in the game here and everyone has been very helpful. The pitch is in excellent condition and will provide a great surface for good football,” said Bleiberg.

“Melbourne have had their own problems of late and are under a lot of scrutiny, but we’re looking more at ourselves than we are looking at the opposition. We’re here to play well, prove that we are better than our league position and take three points away with us.”

History suggests a draw is unlikely on Wednesday evening, given that no stalemate has been recorded in the previous eight encounters between the two sides.

Hyundai A-League Week 17 (midweek) – Wednesday 1 February 2012

GOLD COAST UNITED v MELBOURNE VICTORY

At Aurora Stadium, Launceston, Tasmania.

Kick-off: 6.30pm QLD, 7.30pm local.

Referee: Matt Gillett.
Twitter: #HALmvgcu #aleague

TV broadcast: Live and exclusive on Fox Sports 1.

Gold Coast United squad:

40.Chris O’Connor [gk], 3.Michael Thwaite (c), 5.Kristian Rees, 7.Golgol Mebrahtu, 13.Ante Rozic, 14.Ben Halloran, 15.Adama Traore, 16.Maceo Rigters, 17.Chris Harold, 18.James Brown, 22.Peter Jungschlager, 23.Dylan McGowan, 24.Jonas Salley, 28.Daniel Bowles, 29.Mitch Bevan, 30.Brendan White [gk].

*one to be omitted*

In: 16.Maceo Rigters (return from ankle injury), 7.Golgol Mebrahtu (promoted), 30.Brendan White [gk] (promoted).

Out: 20.Jerrad Tyson [gk] (wrist injury – 1 week), 32.Chris Lucas (suspended).

Unavailable: 1.Glen Moss (groin injury – 5 weeks), 6.Paul Beekmans (compassionate leave - indefinite), 9.Joel Porter (calf – 4 weeks), 10.Tahj Minniecon (foot injury – 2 weeks), 12.Dylan Macallister (hamstring – 6 weeks), 19.Chris Broadfoot (ankle injury – indefinite).

Melbourne Victory squad:

1.Tando Velaphi [gk], 3.Fabio, 4.Petar Franjic, 5.Mark Milligan, 6.Leigh Broxham, 7.Matthew Kemp, 8.Grant Brebner, 9.Jean Carlos Solorzano, 10.Archie Thompson, 11.Marco Rojas, 12.Rodrigo Vargas, 16.Carlos Hernandez, 18.Danny Allsopp, 21.Ante Covic [gk], 22.Harry Kewell, 23.Adrian Leijer (c).
*one to be omitted*

In: 6.Leigh Broxham, 7.Matthew Kemp (promoted), 18.Danny Allsopp (returns from suspension), 1.Tando Velaphi [gk] (returns from injury).
Out: 20.Lawrence Thomas [gk] (omitted) 13.Diogo Ferreira, 2.Matthew Foschini, 19.Isaka Cernak (all National team duty – 3 weeks).

Unavailable: 14.Billy Celeski (groin), 15.Tom Pondeljak (back).

Head-to-Head: All matches (played 8): Melbourne Victory wins 5, Gold Coast United wins 3 (0 draws)