Round 10 of the National Premier Leagues (NPL) Queensland Men’s will see sides face off against recent opponents in the first reverse fixtures of 2020, having met just two weeks ago in Round 23 encounters.
All the action will take place mid-week which means tired legs will play a role, potentially setting up the prospect of some upsets and movement on both ends of the ladder.
The current top four is separated by only four points, meaning the title contenders cannot afford a slip-up if they want to stay in the hunt.
Fans can watch all First Grade NPL Men’s matches live on NPL.TV, free for Australian residents.
Feature Match: Moreton Bay United v Capalaba FC
When these two sides last met it was one of the games of the season so far, as Moreton Bay United took a two-goal lead into the half time break, only to end up losing 3-2 thanks to a 90th minute Scot Coulson winner, despite Capalaba FC being reduced to 10 men along the way.
Since then, Moreton Bay have taken to the field just once where they were comprehensively beaten by Peninsula Power 3-0 in a local derby at Wolter Park.
Capalaba have not fared much better in that time span, losing both of their last two matches to Gold Coast United 2-1 and Brisbane City 3-2 respectively.
Those results see the two sides come into the game level on nine points, with Moreton Bay occupying 10th place and Capalaba currently sitting in 11th.
This mid-week Round 10 clash will be a huge opportunity for both outfits to build momentum for a push up the table and given how this fixture played out last time, it’s bound to be an entertaining watch.
Match Details
Moreton Bay United v Capalaba FC
Tuesday, 25 August, 7:30pm
Wolter Park
Other Games to Watch:
Gold Coast Knights v Brisbane City
Gold Coast Knights have continued to live up to the billing as 2020 NPL Queensland title favourites, currently sitting joint top of the table with last year’s premiers Lions FC while having a game in hand.
Last time out, Knights ground out an important 1-0 win against a formidable Roar Youth outfit in a tense affair.
After opening the scoring through Colombian marksman Jheison Macuace, Knights conceded a penalty which their keeper Josh Langdon managed to save, a moment which may make all the difference come season’s end.
Meanwhile their opponents this round Brisbane City have also been enjoying a good spell of form recently, winning their last two matches against Brisbane Roar Youth and Capalaba FC respectively, as Head Coach Matt Smith looks to steer his side closer to the top four.
The reverse fixture of this match was an incredibly tight affair two weeks ago, with a Jheison Macuace goal the only difference between the two sides in a 1-0 win for Knights.
Match Details
Gold Coast Knights v Brisbane City
Tuesday, 25 August, 7:45pm
Croatian Sports Centre
Brisbane Roar Youth v Gold Coast United
After emerging as the surprise package of the competition before the COVID-19 suspension, Brisbane Roar Youth have thus far been unable to recapture their early season form, winning just one of their four matches since the return of the season.
In their previous match Roar Youth did make a good account of themselves despite suffering a 1-0 loss to Gold Coast Knights, pushing the 2019 Grand Final winners all the way, with a second half Cai Tipaldo penalty saved to deny them at least a point.
The one win Roar Youth have enjoyed since the suspension came against this round’s opponents Gold Coast United two weeks ago, who have themselves been in mixed form of late.
United followed up their 3-2 loss to Roar Youth with a strong 2-1 victory over Capalaba FC despite being reduced to 10 men for most of the match, but were then defeated 1-0 by Redlands United at home the week after.
With both sides hoping to find consistency in their form, this match will be a fascinating watch, potentially setting up the winner to climb a few vital spots on an extremely tight mid-table pack.
Match Details
Brisbane Roar Youth v Gold Coast United
Wednesday, 26 August, 7:30pm
Logan Metro Sports Complex
Other Round 10 Matches:
Brisbane Strikers v Olympic FC
Tuesday, 25 August, 7:00pm
Perry Park
Peninsula Power v Redlands United
Wednesday, 26 August, 7:30pm
AJ Kelly Park
Eastern Suburbs v Lions FC
Thursday, 27 August, 7:30pm
Heath Park
Key Players:
Jackson Courtney-Perkins (Moreton Bay United): Perhaps Moreton Bay’s best performer so far this season, the Jets will turn to their star midfielder to be the creative spark in their crucial game against Capalaba this week.
Samuel Sibatuara (Brisbane City): Sibatuara played a big role in City’s 3-2 win over Capalaba last week securing a brace, and will need to be at his best again to unlock an air-tight Gold Coast Knights defence in the mid-week round.
Cian Cuba (Gold Coast United): A dynamic and explosive wide-man, Cuba may be the x-factor Gold Coast United need to overcome a formidable Roar Youth side.
Words: Jacob Wala
Image: Ray Gardner/Redlands United