Whitsunday Miners Vs FNQ Bulls, Sat 18th Jul - 6:00pm, Harrup Park, Mackay

This weekend the Whitsunday Miners play another regional side, this time hosting FNQ Bulls at home.

In a determined performance, the Miners managed to take a point against the talented NQ Razorbacks last weekend while FNQ Bulls through away a two goal lead to end up on the wrong side of a 5-4 scoreline.

Both sides will view this game as 'must-win', and despite sitting just a place apart on the Hyundai QSL ladder, FNQ Bulls have seven more points than their opponents this weekend.

 

Redlands City Devils Vs Capricorn Cougars, Sat 18th Jul - 6:00pm, Cleveland Showground, Brisbane

Redlands City Devils will be rueing the missed chances in Round 17 which saw them draw with eight-man Brisbane Strikers and will be keen to make amends against the eighth-placed Capricorn Cougars.

Cougars had the bye last weekend and have been preparing hard for this game, despite a number of injury and illness clouds falling over the team.

Coach Brad Smith has been concentrating on fixing his side's defensive problems, stating, "we want a clean win and we have set ourselves up accordingly".

 

NQ Razorbacks Vs Bundaberg Spirit, Sat 18th Jul - 7:00pm, Brolga Park, Townsville

Bundaberg Spirit will be buoyed by their performance against the Queensland Academy of Sport last week where they earned a point, their first in 2009.

Despite their confidence, the squad will have to overcome the effects of a bus ride to Townsville when they face the NQ Razorbacks.

Razorbacks will have to address their inability to finish off their chances and win all remaining games if they want to finish in the top four for the second successive year but will have to do so without Lee Mayberry (thigh strain) and Sean Burke (ankle) who were added to the Razorbacks' injury list after last week's clash with the Miners.

 

Sunshine Coast FC Vs Queensland Academy of Sport, Sun 19th Jul - 3:00pm, Stockland Park, Kawana, Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Coast FC play Queensland Academy of Sport in what is midfield dynamo Oh-Kyun Gong's last game for the club.

The Korean's visa is about to expire and will soon be returning to his homeland.

QAS have had two draws in their last two games and will need to put in an impressive performance against the Fire if they want to keep pushing for a play-off spot.

Sunshine Coast FC look safe in third, but are unlikely to challenge the top two.

 

Olympic FC Vs Brisbane Strikers FC, Sun 19th Jul - 6:00pm, Goodwin Park, Yeronga, Brisbane

In a clash between one of the fiercest rivalries in Queensland football, Brisbane Strikers make the short trip across the capital to take on Olympic FC in Round 18's Match of the Round.

Brisbane Strikers travel with only 12 available players after losing the services of regular starters Craig Collins, Luke Morley and Warren Moon last weekend against Redlands City Devils and with the likes of Myles Carseldine, Jonti Richter, Todd Gava and Jamie Johnson still dealing with injury problems.

Olympic prevailed 3-2 winners the last time these two sides met in Round 7 and if they manage the double this Sunday, they will go eleven points clear at the top of the Hyundai QSL ladder and almost certainly guarantees them this year's Premiership.

Words: Michelle Tobin

Photo: www.sport-in-digital.com.au