Date: Saturday September 4
Kick-off: 5:15pm AEST
Venue: AAMI Park
Head-to-head
N/A
History
Nothing of note between these two teams.
Season So Far
Melbourne Heart: LDLD
North Queensland: LDWD
Match Committee
Heart get back two important and experienced players for this match, with Michael Beauchamp and John Aloisi both named. Aloisi, yet to debut, should play some part, while Beauchamp will be touch and go given his ankle troubles. Jason Hoffman is promoted into an extended squad, meaning only Kristian Sarkies and Josip Skoko are missing.
The two Fury players sent off a fortnight ago against Melbourne Victory return to the scene of the crime for this match in Eric Akoto and Chris Grossman. Adam Casey has the flu and misses while Andrew Kilian and Matthew Ham both remain on the sidelines.
Danger men
Alex Terra - If the dashing Brazilian can keep his performance up for more than about 20 minutes at a time he could tear this competition apart. Early in the game against Perth last week he caused all sorts of trouble and won a penalty along the way. His problem is that he tends to fade out of games. Hopefully for Heart fans, improving fitness will see him play more consistently.
Chris Payne - Fresh from winning the nod as a NAB Young Footballer of the Year nominee, Payne will be full of confidence heading into this game. He is a terrific young player and is relishing playing alongside the other fury young guns, Isaka Cernak and David Williams
At the end of the day….
Melbourne Heart were desperately unlucky not to win last week, conceding a last-minute penalty through a dubious decision. However, after a sensational first half, the new boys went into their shells after the break and it wasn't surprising that at the end of the match, Perth had managed a draw.
Beauchamp, if fit, will be a big in, while the fact that both Alex Terra and Gerald Sibon didn't see out the 90 minutes last week, will mean John van 't Schip will be glad to have Aloisi at his disposal even if it is only got 30 minutes in his legs.
North Queensland have scored plenty of goals so far this season, but have conceded plenty too. Franz Straka has them playing an exciting and attacking brand of football and there seems to be a strong bond among the team.
Two weeks ago they fought tooth and nail with nine men to get a point at this very stadium, but failed to back it up last week at home, losing 3-2 to Adelaide.
This looms as a clash between one team which is riding a rollercoaster (Fury) and one team which is gradually improving with every week. Always back momentum, it's hard to stop. Heart will win this one.
TEAMS:
Melbourne Heart squad: 1. Clint BOLTON (gk), 2. Michael MARRONE, 3. Brendan HAMILL, 4. Simon COLOSIMO (c), 5. Michael BEAUCHAMP, 6. Matt THOMPSON, 7. Rutger WORM, 9. Gerald SIBON, 10. Wayne SRHOJ, 11. ALEX TERRA, 12. Peter ZOIS (gk), 15. John ALOISI, 17. Jason HOFFMAN, 19. Eli BABALJ, 21. Kliment TASESKI, 22. Nick KALMAR, 23. Dean HEFFERNAN, 24. Aziz BEHICH.
*three to be omitted*
In: 5. Michael BEAUCHAMP (returns from injury), 15. John ALOISI (returns from injury), 17. Jason HOFFMAN (promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Kristian SARKIES (Leg – Indefinite), Josip