A-League Week 23 Squads

Ernie Merrick is still missing Archie Thompson and Robbie Kruse in the attacking third, but will be confident of collecting at least a point against ninth-placed Sydney.

In nine meetings at Sydney Football Stadium, the teams have played out five draws, including the 3-3 thriller at the start of the season.

Coming off consecutive wins including an impressive performance against Gold Coast United, the Sky Blues will be hopeful of keeping their finals hopes alive with a victory.

Up north, Gold Coast United will have the chance to bounce back into winning form when they welcome North Queensland Fury to Skilled Park.

Kiwi international Shane Smeltz could make his A-League comeback to help United break a four-game winless run.

Fury are winless in five and will again be without star front man David Williams, but will be keen on not falling behind early, having conceded 10 times in the opening quarter of an hour in season six.

Finals hopeful Newcastle Jets will host the F3 Derby against Central Coast Mariners with an eye on the top six.

The Jets are coming off consecutive wins against Fury and have only lost twice against the Mariners at EnergyAustralia Stadium.

There have only been 19 goals in the 10 matches the Mariners have played away from home but they are almost impossible to catch when leading at half time.

Melbourne Heart will be aiming to make it four wins on the trot with a trip to Perth Glory.

The teams have played out two draws, including a scoreless one at NIB Stadium, but Heart are in another patch of good form and coming off a weekend break.

Glory secured two draws on the road over the last week but have conceded 13 of their 39 goals in the last quarter of an hour of games this season.

Sunday’s clash between Brisbane and Wellington has been postponed due to flooding across Suncorp Stadium and Queensland.

Postponed: Brisbane Roar v Wellington Phoenix

Weekend break: Adelaide United

Draw-a-thon
Sydney and Melbourne Victory have finished level in five of nine meetings at the Sydney Football Stadium

Form Run
Sydney FC (two wins on the trot), Newcastle Jets (two) and Melbourne Heart (three) are all making serious runs towards the top six

Form Slump Meeting
Gold Coast United and North Queensland Fury will both be desperate to end respective four and five-game winless runs

Welcome to Skilled
North Queensland Fury have won two of their three visits to Skilled Park

On the back foot
North Queensland have conceded 10 goals in the first 15 minutes of games

High-flying Jets
Newcastle have a strong record at home to Central Coast – five wins, three draws and two losses

Low-scoring visits
In 10 away matches, the Mariners have shared just 19 goals

No Coming Back
Central Coast have an impeccable record when leading at half time – nine wins and one draw

Glory Open Late
Perth have conceded 13 of their 39 goals in the final quarter of an hour

Gold Coast United vs. North QLD Fury
Friday, 14 January 2010
Skilled Park, Robina
Local kick-off: 7:30pm
Referee: Matthew Gillett
Assistant referees: Denis Silk and David Walsh
Fourth official: Alan Milliner

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 2, FS2 HD & Sky Sports 2 (NZ). Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is Zinc 100.7 FM (Townsville). To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au

 Gold Coast United: 1.Glen MOSS [gk], 2.Steve PANTELIDIS, 3.Michael THWAITE (c), 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Zenon CARAVELLA, 8.ANDERSON, 9.Shane SMELTZ, 11.Bruce DJITE, 13.Bas VAN DEN BRINK, 16.Kristian REES, 20.Scott HIGGINS [gk], 21.Golgol MEBRAHTU, 22.Adama TRAORE, 24.John CURTIS, 25.Chris BROADFOOT, 26.Ben HALLORAN, 27.Chris HAROLD. *two to be omitted*

In: Steve PANTELIDIS (return from suspension), ANDERSON (promoted), Shane SMELTZ (new signing), Golgol MEBRAHTU (promoted), Ben HALLORAN (promoted).
Out: ROBSON (hamstring injury – 8 weeks), Tahj MINNIECON (not selected), Steve FITZSIMMONS (suspended – 2 games).
Unavailable: 14.Joel PORTER (calf injury – 1 game), 10.Jason CULINA (international duty), Daniel PIORKOWSKI (ankle injury – indefinite), Matt OSMAN (knee injury – indefinite).

North Queensland Fury: 1. Justin PASFIELD (gk), 2. Jack HINGERT, 3. Brad McDONALD, 4. Eric AKOTO, 5. Mark HUGHES, 7. Gareth EDDS (c), 8. Adam CASEY, 12. Panagiotis NIKAS, 13. Andre KILIAN, 14. Chris GROSSMAN, 15. Chris PAYNE, 16. Simon STOREY, 18. Brett STUDMAN, 19. Isaka CERNAK, 21. Jason SPAGNUOLO, 22. Lorenzo SIPI, 24. Ramazan TAVSANCIOGLU, 28. Sebastian USAI (gk) *three to be omitted*

In:  Simon STOREY (returns from injury), 19. Isaka CERNAK (returns from injury), 22. Lorenzo SIPI (promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable:   Ufuk TALAY (hamstring – 1 weeks), David WILLIAMS (knee – 1 week), Osama MALIK (hamstring – 1-2 weeks), Matthew HAM (knee – out for the season)

Head-to-Head: All matches (played 5): Gold Coast United wins 2, North Queensland Fury wins 3 (0 draws)

Sydney FC vs. Melbourne Victory
Saturday, 15 January 2010
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Local kick-off: 7:30pm
Referee: Matthew Breeze
Assistant referees: Daniel Dewhurst Scott Edeling
Fourth official: Kris Griffith-Jones

 Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 2, FS2 HD and Sky Sports 2 (NZ). Hyundai A-League club partner is SBS 6 (Digital), 774 ABC (Melbourne) and SEN. To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au.

Sydney FC: 1. Liam REDDY (gk), 2. Sebastian RYALL, 3. Stephan KELLER, 6. Hirofumi MORIYASU, 7. Brendan GAN, 8. Stuart MUSIALIK, 9. Bruno CAZARINE, 10. Nick CARLE, 11. Kofi DANNING, 12. Shannon COLE, 15. Terry MCFLYNN (c), 17. Matt JURMAN, 18. Juho MAKELA, 20. Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 21. Scott JAMIESON, 22. Sung-Hwan BYUN, 23, Rhyan GRANT, 24. Dimitri PETRATOS *three to be omitted*

In: Brendan GAN, Kofi DANNING, Rhyan GRANT (all promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Hayden FOXE (groin – 2 weeks), Mark BRIDGE (stomach – 1 week), Alex BROSQUE (groin – 1 week), Terry ANTONIS (knee – 3 weeks)

Melbourne Victory: 1. Michael PETKOVIC (gk), 3. Mate DUGANDZIC, 4. Petar FRANJIC, 6. Leigh BROXHAM, 7. Matthew KEMP, 8. Grant BREBNER, 9. RICARDINHO, 11. Marvin ANGULO, 12. Rodrigo VARGAS, 13. Diogo FERREIRA, 14. Billy CELESKI, 15. Tom PONDELJAK, 16. Carlos HERNANDEZ, 17. Matthew FOSCHINI, 18. Danny ALLSOPP, 19. Evan BERGER, 20. Sebastian MATTEI (gk), 22. Geoff KELLAWAY, 23. Adrian LEIJER (c) *four to be omitted*

In: Petar FRANJIC (promoted), Matthew FOSCHINI (promoted), Geoff KELLAWAY (promoted). 
Out: Kevin MUSCAT (suspended – 1 match)
Unavailable: Archie THOMPSON (hamstring – 2 weeks), Surat SUKHA (calf – 2 weeks) Robbie KRUSE (international duty – 3 weeks)

Head-to-Head: All matches (played 20): Sydney FC wins 4, Melbourne Victory wins 7 (9 draws)

Perth Glory vs. Melbourne Heart
Saturday, 15 January 2010
nib Stadium, Perth
Local kick-off: 6:45pm
Referee: Gerard Parsons
Assistant referees: Michael Nugus Joe Fusari
Fourth official: Matthew Cheeseman

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 2, FS2 HD and Sky Sports 2 (NZ). Hyundai A-League club broadcast partners are 6PR 882AM (Perth), 774 ABC (Melbourne) and SEN. To purchase tickets visit www.ticketmaster.com.au.

Perth Glory: 1.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 2.Josh MITCHELL, 3.Jamie COYNE, 5.Jamie HARNWELL, 9.Robbie FOWLER, 12.Scott NEVILLE, 13.Tommy AMPHLETT, 14.Steven McGARRY, 15.Howard FONDYKE, 16. Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17. Todd HOWARTH, 20.Alex PEARSON (gk), 21.Mile STERJOVSKI, 22.Anthony SKORICH, 24.Josh RISDON *one to be omitted*

In: Josh RISDON (promoted), 11. Branco JELIC
Out: Jacob BURNS (suspended - 2 matches)
Unavailable: Chris COYNE (achilles – season), Victor SIKORA (hip – season), Naum SEKULOVSKI (knee – 1 week)

Melbourne Heart: 1.Clint BOLTON, 2.Michael MARRONE, 5.Simon COLOSIMO, 6.Matt THOMPSON, 7.Rutger WORM, 9.Gerald SIBON, 10.Wayne SRHOJ, 11.Alex TERRA, 12.Peter ZOIS, 15.John ALOISI, 16.Aziz BEHICH, 20.Josip SKOKO, 22.Nick KALMAR, 23.Dean HEFFERNAN, 25.Adrian ZAHRA

In: Dean HEFFERNAN (promoted)
Out: Simon COLOSIMO (Calf 1 week)
Unavailable: Eli BABALJ (Thigh 4-6 weeks), Simon COLOSIMO (Calf 1 week)

Head-to-Head: All matches (played 2): Perth Glory wins 0, Melbourne Heart wins 0 (2 draws)

Newcastle Jets vs. Central Coast Mariners
Sunday, 16 January 2010
EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle
Local kick-off: 5:00pm
Referee: Chris Beath
Assistant referees: Ryan Gallagher Rod Allen
Fourth official: Kurt Ams

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 2, FS2 HD & Sky Sport 3 (NZ). Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is 1233 ABC Newcastle and 96.3 Coast FM (Gosford). To purchase tickets visit www.proticket.com.au

Newcastle Jets: 1. Ben KENNEDY (gk), 2. Taylor REGAN, 4. Nikolai TOPOR STANLEY, 7. Kasey WEHRMAN (c), 9. Zhang SHUO, 10. Ruben ZADKOVICH, 11. Tarek ELRICH, 12. Jobe WHEELHOUSE, 13. Sasho PETROVSKI, 14. Labinot HALITI, 17. Marcello FIORENTINI, 18. Marko JESIC, 23. Ryan GRIFFITHS, 25. Samuel GALLAWAY, 26. James VIRGILI, 40.Matthew NASH *one to be omitted*

 In: Zhang SHUO (promoted)
Out: Jack DUNCAN (not selected)
Unavailable: Neil YOUNG (illness – indefinite), Michael BRIDGES (knee - 6 weeks), Jeremy BROCKIE (broken foot – 4 weeks), Sean ROONEY (knee - season), Ben KANTAROVSKI (knee - season), Kaz PATAFTA (groin - one week), Brodie MOOY (compartment syndrome - six weeks), Adam D’APUZZO (Ligament damage - indefinite), Ali ABBAS (stomach strain - one week)

Central Coast Mariners: 20. Mathew RYAN (gk), 2. Daniel McBREEN, 3. Joshua ROSE, 4. Pedj BOJIC, 6. Patrick ZWAANSWIJK, 7. John HUTCHINSON, 8. Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 10. Patricio PEREZ, 11. Oliver BOZANIC, 13. Michael BAIRD, 14. Michael McGLINCHEY, 17. Chris DOIG, 18. Alex WILKINSON (c), 19. Matt SIMON, 22. Mustafa AMINI, 23. Adam KWASNIK, 30. Paul HENDERSON (gk). *two to be omitted*

In: Chris DOIG (promoted), Michael BAIRD (promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Brad PORTER (knee - 8 weeks), Nik MRDJA (knee – 8 weeks), Jess VANSTRATTAN (knee - season).

Head-to-Head: All matches (played 21): Newcastle Jets wins 7, Central Coast Mariners wins 6 (8 draws)

Brisbane Roar v Wellington Phoenix - Postponed

Hyundai A-League 2010/11 League Table

Hyundai A-League 2010/11 - Leading Goal-Scorers

13 - Sergio VAN DIJK

10 - Kosta BARBAROUSES, Robbie KRUSE, Jean Carlos SOLORANZO

9 - Robbie FOWLER

8 - Adam KWASNIK, Matt SIMON

7 - Bruno CAZARINE, Paul IFILL

6 - Alex BROSQUE, Tim BROWN, Gerald SIBON

5 - John ALOISI, Jason CULINA, Marcos FLORES, Chris GREENACRE, Mitch NICHOLS,, REINALDO, Mile STERJOVSKI, David WILLIAMS

4 - Thomas BROICH, Iain FYFE, Carlos HERNANDEZ, Mark HUGHES, Marko JESIC, Mathew LECKIE, Dylan MacALLISTER, Chris PAYNE

3 - Leo BERTOS, Shannon COLE, Bruce DJITE, Mate DUGANDZIC, Labinot HALITI, Nick KALMAR, Patricio PEREZ, Sasho PETROVSKI, Iain RAMSAY, Ufuk TALAY, Archie THOMPSON, Bas VAN DEN BRINK, Patrick ZWAANSWIJK

2 - Eli BABALJ, Grant BREBNER, James BROWN, Dyron DAAL, Dino DJULBIC, Travis DODD, Ivan FRANJIC, Rostyn GRIFFITHS, Chris GROSSMAN, Branko JELIC, Daniel MCBREEN, Matt MCKAY, Kevin MUSCAT, Scott NEVILLE, Erik PAARTALU, Joel PORTER, RICARDINHO, ROBSON, Marco ROJAS, Joshua ROSE, Ben SIGMUND, Shane SMELTZ, Matt SMITH, Alex TERRA, Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, Rodrigo VARGAS, Ruben ZADKOVICH, Adrian ZAHRA

1 -  Ali ABASS, Michael BAIRD, Fabian BARBIERO, Andrew BARISIC, Mark BRIDGE, Michael BRIDGES, Jeremy BROCKIE, Leigh BROXHAM, Billy CELESKI, Isaka CERNAK, Simon COLOSIMO, Robert CORNTHWAITE, Jamie COYNE, John CURTIS, Luke DEVERE, Dino DJUBLIC, Gareth EDDS, Diogo FERRERIA, Brendan GAN, Rhyan GRANT, Ryan GRIFFITHS, Jamie HARNWELL, Scott JAMIESON, Francis JEFFERS, Joe KEENAN, Stephan KELLER, Matthew LEWIS, Juho MAKELA, Terry MCFLYNN, Michael McGLINCHEY, James MEYER, Josh MITCHELL, Hirofumi MORIYASU, Daniel MULLEN, Massimo MURDOCCA, Steve PANTELIDIS, Adriano PELLEGRINO, Dimitri PETRATOS, Tom PONDELJAK, Paul REID, Sean ROONEY, Eugene SSEPPUYA, Simon STOREY, Matt THOMPSON, Adama TRAORE, Rocky VISCONTE, Nick WARD, Alex WILKINSON, Rutger WORM