The psychological and physical toll from the Westfield FFA Cup will weigh heavily in Round 9 of PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland action.
FNQ FC Heat v Brisbane Strikers FC
Saturday, April 30 | 4:30PM
Endeavour Park, Cairns
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PS4 NPL Head to Head (all-time) |
PS4 NPL Head to Head (at this venue) |
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|
Played |
FNQ Wins |
STR Wins |
Draws |
Played |
FNQ Wins |
STR Wins |
Draws |
|
6 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
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PS4 NPL Last Meeting |
Drew 0-0 at Perry Park (July 4, 2015) |
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Two of the competition’s early-season heavy-hitters clash in Cairns in a match that could well prove to be a ‘six-pointer’ in this year’s Premiership race.
The third-placed Strikers are currently the form side of the competition following five straight wins and four consecutive clean-sheets, but will need to juggle the demands of their first trip to the far north this year while also keeping one eye on their opening Westfield FFA Cup tie next week.
Meanwhile, league-leaders Heat will be eager to return to winnings ways following their first loss of the campaign last weekend against Redlands – which also marked the first time they have been held scoreless in 2016.
They will be banking on their home ground advantage at their secondary venue of Endeavour Park, which sees their parochial home fans positioned significantly closer to the pitch than Barlow Park.
CLICK HERE for the official Match Centre
Match officials – Michael BOZHOFF (referee), Christopher DOHERTY-FISHER (assistant), Wayne KUYPERS (assistant), Christopher DAWSON (fourth)
SWQ Thunder FC v Sunshine Coast FC
Saturday, April 30 | 5:00PM
Clive Berghofer Stadium, Toowoomba
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PS4 NPL Head to Head (all-time) |
PS4 NPL Head to Head (at this venue) |
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|
Played |
SWQ Wins |
SUN Wins |
Draws |
Played |
SWQ Wins |
SUN Wins |
Draws |
|
4 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
PS4 NPL Last Meeting |
SUN won 3-2 at Clive Berghofer Stadium (August 8, 2015) |
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Both Thunder and Fire are seeking much-needed wins when they clash atop the range in a match-up that could deliver a crucial three points to their respective finals hopes.
Thunder have crashed back to earth in recent weeks following their bright start to the season – book-ending a less-than-convincing win in the Westfield FFA Cup against Willowburn with two defeats in the league.
Similarly, Fire are seeking their first win in three outings after drawing defending Champions Moreton Bay United in their last league game, but will also take plenty of positives from a hard-fought win over local outfit Woombye Snakes in the Westfield FFA Cup midweek.
Both sides also boast just a single clean sheet so far this year, suggesting a high scoring contest could well be on the cards.
CLICK HERE for the official Match Centre
Match officials – Drew NINNES (referee), Alexander HOHN (assistant), Sitha MEAD (assistant), Ethan QUINLAN (fourth)
Brisbane City FC v Brisbane Roar FC Youth
Saturday, April 30 | 6:30PM
Corporate Travel Management Stadium, Brisbane
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PS4 NPL Head to Head (all-time) |
PS4 NPL Head to Head (at this venue) |
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Played |
CTY Wins |
ROR Wins |
Draws |
Played |
CTY Wins |
ROR Wins |
Draws |
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4 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
PS4 NPL Last Meeting |
ROR won 2-1 at Perry Park (June 21, 2015) |
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City are seeking to overturn an unwanted head-to-head record as they look to notch their first ever win over Young Roar this weekend.
The hosts are returning to their promising early season form and are now undefeated in their last three matches in all competitions following a midweek win over Mitchelton FC in the Westfield FFA Cup.
However, they will face a markedly different opponent in the enigmatic Young Roar, who showed their attacking threat with a six goal demolition of Northern Fury in their last start but are yet to record back-to-back wins so far this campaign.
City’s side also features several former Young Roar discards out to prove a point to their former club including Samuel Sibatuara and Luke Pavlou, but notably will be without Mitchell Hore following his red card against Mitchelton.
Also of note, both sides are undefeated this season in capital city derbies after both accounting for Olympic earlier in the campaign, while Young Roar also drew Strikers in the opening round.
CLICK HERE for the official Match Centre
Match officials – Jason CROW (referee), Vicky CLARK (assistant), Ben COOK (assistant), Albert KRAUSE (fourth)
Northern Fury FC v Redlands United FC
Saturday, April 30 | 7:00PM
Townsville Sports Reserve, Townsville
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PS4 NPL Head to Head (all-time) |
PS4 NPL Head to Head (at this venue) |
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Played |
NFU Wins |
RED Wins |
Draws |
Played |
NFU Wins |
RED Wins |
Draws |
|
6 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
PS4 NPL Last Meeting |
RED won 3-1 at Brolga Park (June 27, 2015) |
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Fury are out to turn the form book on its head as Redlands make their first trip to the state’s north this season.
Hopes are high for the hosts that their breakthrough win in the Westfield FFA Cup midweek could be the catalyst to overcoming their eight match losing streak in the league, however will need more than just that much needed confidence boost to overcome a Redlands side that has won five straight in all competitions.
A win could lift Redlands to the top of the table depending on the result between Heat and Strikers, however doubts remain about how they will back-up following a tough Westfield FFA Cup win over Pine Rivers United midweek.
Both sides also had the chance for a close-up look at each other during last weekend’s Cleveland Showgrounds double header, adding an extra dynamic to the tactical battle.
CLICK HERE for the official Match Centre
Match officials – Trent SLEEMAN (referee), Liam O'CONNOR (assistant), Matthew TOUMAZOU (assistant), Nathaniel WOOD (fourth)
Gold Coast City FC v Olympic FC
Sunday, May 1 | 3:00PM
Duncan McKenna Field, Gold Coast
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PS4 NPL Head to Head (all-time) |
PS4 NPL Head to Head (at this venue) |
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|
Played |
GCC Wins |
OLY Wins |
Draws |
Played |
GCC Wins |
OLY Wins |
Draws |
|
7 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
|
PS4 NPL Last Meeting |
Drew 0-0 at Goodwin Park (June 14, 2015) |
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Newly appointed Olympic coach Terry Kirkham takes the reins of his new club for the first time in the final match of the round against City on the ‘Glitter Strip’.
The first order of business is restoring the side’s faltering confidence following a humbling midweek Westfield FFA Cup exit at the hands of fourth-tier club Moggill FC and an unconvincing start to the league season which has delivered just two wins.
The hosting City are boasting the strong league form on the back of a seven match unbeaten run, but are also smarting from their own Westfield FFA Cup exit at the hands of local club Surfers Paradise Apollo.
How each team responds to their knock-out disappointments in this match could well predicate the remainder of their respective league campaigns.
CLICK HERE for the official Match Centre
Match officials – Ashley STOUT (referee), Mitchell MILLER (assistant), Thomas CULLANE (assistant), Sam OSBOURNE (fourth)