It's The Finals Countdown

Mid-week results were not what Phoenix were hoping for after they were beaten by Sydney FC and Newcastle thumped Perth Glory 4-0.

But Fury’s record at Westpac Stadium is poor and they have lost seven games on the trot with their future still undecided.

A large part of their problem has been conceding early goals with their defence breached 22 times in the opening half an hour in season six.

Wellington have scored six times in three meetings at home to Fury and have again created the fear factor at Westpac Stadium.

Sydney will visit AAMI Park to face Melbourne Heart on the back of a seven-match unbeaten run and with preparations already on for their Asian Champions League campaign.

Heart will celebrate the careers of Socceroos John Aloisi and Josip Skoko, as well as Dutchman Gerald Sibon.

Only one goal has been shared in the two meetings between the sides with Heart coming out on top at the Sydney Football Stadium.

The blockbuster rivalry between Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory continues on the back of the Reds’ huge win last time.

It was a 4-1 thrashing but the Victory are unbeaten in five and a potential finals meeting between the pair could eventuate.

With boss Rini Coolen given a new deal during the week, the Reds will be keen to build on their record of two wins out of three at Adelaide Oval.

The F3 derby is also on with Central Coast and Newcastle coming off contrasting runs on the home stretch.

While the Mariners are unbeaten in eight, the Jets are winless in five and have struggled with injuries and the absence of experienced players.

Central Coast have been tipped by some to be the main challenger to Roar and will be hopeful of extending their unbeaten run.

Brisbane Roar come up against their bogey team in Gold Coast United in the local derby.

United are the only team in the league Roar have never beaten, falling to them three times and drawing twice.

But with Roar unbeaten in 24 and yet to be defeated at home, it may be the perfect chance to improve that record ahead of the finals.

United have kept in touch with the top four all season but were outplayed by the Mariners on Wednesday night.

Hot Streaks
Brisbane Roar – unbeaten in 24

Central Coast Mariners – unbeaten in eight

Sydney FC – unbeaten in seven

Melbourne Victory – unbeaten in five

Cold Streaks
North Queensland Fury – winless in 10 with seven-straight losses

Melbourne Heart – winless in five

Dark Skies
Sydney FC haven’t beaten Melbourne Heart in their two meetings with a 1-0 loss and a scoreless draw

Farewell
Socceroos John Aloisi and Josip Skoko will be joined by Dutchman Gerald Sibon in saying farewell to professional football

Roar’s Bogey Side?
Gold Coast United have never lost to Brisbane with three wins and two draws between the teams

Slow Starts
North Queensland Fury have conceded 22 of their 57 goals in the opening half an hour this season

Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory
Friday, 11 February 2011
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Local kick-off: 7:30pm (8.00pm AEDT)
Referee: Ryan Shepheard
Assistant referees: Daniel Goodwin Paul Cetrangolo
Fourth official: Regis Queffelec

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 2, FS2 HD and Sky Sports 1 (NZ). Hyundai A-League partner is ABC Digital Adelaide, 774 ABC (Melbourne), SEN. To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au

Adelaide United: 1.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 2.Robert CORNTHWAITE, 3.Nigel BOOGAARD, 7.Lucas PANTELIS, 8.Adam HUGHES, 9.Sergio VAN DIJK, 10.Marcos FLORES, 11.Andy SLORY, 12.Paul REID, 13.Travis DODD (c), 14.Cameron WATSON, 16.Dario BODRUSIC, 17.Iain RAMSAY, 19.Mathew LECKIE, 20.Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk), 21.Francisco USUCAR *one to be omitted*
In: Robert CORNTHWAITE (returns from injury), Lucas PANTELIS (promoted), Mathew LECKIE (promoted)
Out: CASSIO (thigh – 1 week), Osama MALIK (hamstring – 1 week)
Unavailable: Daniel MULLEN (knee – season), Joe COSTA (knee – season), Joe KEENAN (leg – season), Fabian BARBIERO (ankle – season)

Melbourne Victory: 1.Michael PETKOVIC (gk), 3. Mate DUGANDZIC, 4. Petar FRANJIC, 5. Surat SUKHA, 6. Leigh BROXHAM, 7. Matthew KEMP, 9. RICARDINHO, 10. Archie THOMPSON, 11. Marvin ANGULO, 12. Rodrigo VARGAS, 13. Diogo FERREIRA, 15. Tom PONDELJAK, 16. Carlos HERNANDEZ, 17. Matthew FOSCHINI, 18. Danny ALLSOPP, 20. Sebastian MATTEI (gk), 21. Robbie KRUSE, 23. Adrian LEIJER (c) *three to be omitted*
In: Leigh BROXHAM (returns from injury), Archie THOMPSON, Surat SUKHA, Carlos HERNANDEZ.
Out: Luke PILKINGTON,
Unavailable: Kevin MUSCAT (suspension), Billy CELESKI (injured), Grant BREBNER (injured).

• A win by Adelaide United would secure third place for the Reds, meaning that the bottom three teams from last season’s Hyundai A-League ladder (Adelaide, Brisbane Roar and Central Coast Mariners) would be the top three teams on this season’s final ladder – a scenario that has never come close to happening before in Australian national league history.

Melbourne Heart v Sydney FC
Saturday, 12 February 2011
AAMI Stadium, Melbourne
Local kick-off: 7:00pm
Referee: Ben Williams
Assistant referees: James Nicolopoulos Shaun Evans
Fourth official: Lucien Laverdure

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 2, FS2 HD and Sky Sports 1 (NZ). Hyundai A-League partner is 774 ABC (Melbourne), SEN and SBS 6 (Digital). To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au

Melbourne Heart: 1.Clint BOLTON, 2.Michael MARRONE, 3.Brendan HAMILL, 4.Simon COLOSIMO, 5.Michael BEAUCHAMP, 6.Matt THOMPSON, 7.Rutger WORM, 8.Kristian SARKIES, 9.Gerald SIBON, 10.Wayne SRHOJ, 12.Peter ZOIS, 14.Kamal IBRAHIM, 15.John ALOISI, 16.Aziz BEHICH, 17.Jason HOFFMAN, 20.Josip SKOKO, 21.Kliment TASESKI, 22.Nick KALMAR, 23.Dean HEFFERNAN *Four to be omitted*
In: Michael BEAUCHAMP, Kristian SARKIES, Jason HOFFMAN, Kliment TASESKI, Dean HEFFERNAN
Out: Alex TERRA (thigh)
Unavailable: Eli BABALJ (thigh), Adrian ZAHRA (knee)

Sydney FC: 1. Liam REDDY, 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, 26. Joel CHIANESE *two to be omitted*
In: Stuart MUSIALIK, Joel CHIANESE (promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Hayden FOXE (groin – 2 weeks), Mark BRIDGE (stomach – 1 week), Terry ANTONIS (knee – indefinite), Dimitri PETRATOS (Ankle - 6 weeks)

• Melbourne Heart midfielder MATT THOMPSON is set to become the first player to make 150 Hyundai A-League appearances 

Brisbane Roar v Gold Coast United
Saturday, 12 February 2011
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Local kick-off: 8:15pm (9.15pm AEDT)
Referee: Peter Green
Assistant referees: Ashley Beecham David Walsh
Fourth official: Jarred Gillett

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 2, FS2 HD and Sky Sports 1 (NZ). To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au

Brisbane Roar: 1. Michael THEOKLITOS (gk), 2. Matt SMITH, 4. Shane STEFANUTTO, 5. Ivan FRANJIC, 6. Erik PAARTALU, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 10. HENRIQUE, 12. Matt MUNDY, 14. Rocky VISCONTE, 15. Matt McKAY (capt), 16. Daniel BOWLES, 17. Mitch NICHOLS, 18. Luke BRATTAN, 19. Chris BUSH, 20. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 22. Thomas BROICH, 23. Milan SUSAK *two to be omitted*
In: 19. Chris BUSH (promoted), 18. Luke BRATTAN (promoted), 16. Daniel BOWLES (promoted)
Out: 21. James MEYER (toe injury)
Unavailable: 8. Massimo MURDOCCA (quad injury – 1 week), 9. Jean Carlos SOLORZANO (quad injury – 1 week)

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, 13.Bas VAN DEN BRINK, 15.Tahj MINNIECON, 16.Kristian REES, 19.Andrew BARISIC, 20.Scott HIGGINS [gk], 22.Adama TRAORE, 23.Steve FITZSIMMONS, 26.Ben HALLORAN, 27.Chris HAROLD, 31.Josh BRILLANTE, 33.Peter PERCHTOLD, 34.Sung-Kil KIM. *four to be omitted*
In: 7.Zenon CARAVELLA (return from hip injury), 13.Bas VAN DEN BRINK (return from ankle injury), 26.Ben HALLORAN (promoted), 34.Sung-Kil KIM (promoted).
Out: Nil.
Unavailable: Bruce DJITE (hamstring injury – 1 week), John CURTIS (shoulder injury – season) Jason CULINA (knee injury – season), ROBSON (hamstring injury – 4 weeks), Joel PORTER (calf injury – 2 weeks), Daniel PIORKOWSKI (ankle injury – indefinite), Matt OSMAN (knee injury – season).

•  With a home W-D-L record of 9-5-0, Brisbane Roar is set to be the first team in Hyundai A-League history to have completed a regular season undefeated at home should Gold Coast not win this weekend. While an undefeated home record occurred several times in the old NSL (1977-2004), never before has a Brisbane team achieved this feat.
• This will be the Brisbane Roar’s first home match since securing the 2010/11 Premiers’ Plate, the first time in Australian national league history that a Brisbane team has ended a season on top of the ladder.

Wellington Phoenix v North Qld Fury
Sunday, 13 February 2011
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Local kick-off: 5:00pm (3.00pm AEDT)
Referee: Peter O'Leary
Assistant referees: Glen Lochrie Mark Rule
Fourth official: Matt Conger

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 2, FS2 HD and Sky Sports 1 (NZ). Hyundai A-League partner is The Radio Network (Wellington) 1035AM and Zinc 100.7 FM (Townsville). To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au

Wellington Phoenix: 2. Manny MUSCAT, 3. Tony LOCHHEAD, 4. Nicky WARD, 6. Tim BROWN, 9, Chris GREENACRE, 10, Oscar Roberto CORNEJO, 11. DANIEL, 12. James MUSA, 13. Troy HEARFIELD, 15. Jade NORTH, 17. Vince LIA, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 19, Danny VUKOVIC, 20, Reece CROWTHER, 21. Marco ROJAS, 23. Dylan MACALLISTER *one to be omitted
In: 18. Ben SIGMUND (returns from suspension), 2. Manny MUSCAT (returns from suspension), 17. Vince LIA (returns from injury)
Out: 24. Sean LOVEMORE, 26. Aaron CLAPHAM (short term replacement ends)
Unavailable: Paul IFILL (leg – 4 weeks), Mark PASTON (gk, knee – season), Leo BERTOS (injury), Vince LIA (injury), Andrew Durante (suspended – 1 match)

North Queensland Fury squad:  2. Jack HINGERT, 3. Brad McDONALD, 5. Mark HUGHES, 6. Ufuk TALAY (c), 7. Gareth EDDS, 8. Adam CASEY, 11. David WILLIAMS, 13. Andre KILIAN, 14. Chris GROSSMAN, 16. Simon STOREY, 17, Alex READ, 18. Brett STUDMAN, 21. Jason SPAGNUOLO, 22. Lorenzo SIPI, 28. Sebastian USAI (gk)
In:  7. Gareth EDDS (promoted), 22. Lorenzo SIPI (promoted)
Out: 1. Justin PASFIELD (suspended – 2 matches), 12. Panagiotis NIKAS (hamstring strain)
Unavailable:  1. Justin PASFIELD (suspended – 2 matches), 12. Panagiotis NIKAS (hamstring strain – 1 week), 15. Chris PAYNE (knee – season), 19. Isaka CERNAK (groin – 1 week), 20. Matthew HAM (knee – season) 

• Having won their previous five matches at home, Wellington Phoenix will be aiming to win their sixth home match in a row – a feat that has only occurred three times to date in the Hyundai A-League.

LONGEST WINNING STREAKS AT HOME
8 matches   Melbourne Victory   Nov-08 to Feb-09
7   Adelaide United   Aug-10 to Dec-10
6   Brisbane Roar   Nov-08 to Feb-09
5   Wellington Phoenix (from Dec-10)
5   Melbourne Victory   Jan-10 to Feb-10
5   Melbourne Victory   Feb-06 to Oct-06

Central Coast Mariners v Newcastle Jets
Sunday, 13 February 2011
Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
Local kick-off: 5.00pm AEDT
Referee: Chris Beath
Assistant referees: Scott Edeling Ben Wilson
Fourth official: Gerard Parsons

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 2, FS2 HD and Sky Sports 1 (NZ). Hyundai A-League partner is 96.3 Coast FM (Gosford) and 1233 ABC Newcastle. To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au

Central Coast Mariners: 2. Daniel MCBREEN, 3. Joshua ROSE, 4. Pedj BOJIC, 6. Patrick ZWAANSWIJK, 7. John HUTCHINSON, 8. Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 10. Patricio PEREZ, 11. Oliver BOZANIC, 12. Matthew LEWIS, 14. Michael McGLINCHEY, 16. Trent SAINSBURY, 17. Chris DOIG, 18. Alex WILKINSON, 19. Matt SIMON, 20. Mathew RYAN (gk), 22. Mustafa AMINI, 23. Adam KWASNIK, 24. Bernie IBINI-ISEI, 25. Mitchell DUKE, 30. Paul HENDERSON (gk). *five to be omitted*
In: Pedj BOJIC, Matthew SIMON, Adam KWASNIK, Patricio PEREZ (all return from injury), Rostyn GRIFFITHS (promoted).
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Michael BAIRD (knee - 1 week), Brad PORTER (knee - 4 weeks), Nik MRDJA (knee - 6 weeks), Jess VANSTRATTAN (knee - season)

Newcastle Jets: 1. Ben KENNEDY (gk), 2. Taylor REGAN, 3. Adam D'APUZZO, 4. Nikolai TOPOR STANLEY (c), 9. Zhang SHUO, 11. Tarek ELRICH, 12. Jobe WHEELHOUSE, 13. Sasho PETROVSKI, 14. Labinot HALITI, 16. Jeremy BROCKIE, 17. Marcello FIORENTINI, 18. Marko JESIC , 19.Ali ABBAS, 22. Kaz PATAFTA, 23. Ryan GRIFFTHS, 25. Samuel GALLAWAY, 26. James VIRGILI, 28. Mario SIMIC, 31. Jacob PEPPER, 40. Matthew NASH *five to be omitted*
In: Taylor REGAN (promoted), Kaz PATAFTA (returns from injury), Zhang SHUO (returns from injury), Ryan GRIFFTHS (returns from suspension), Marcello FIORENTINI (returns from suspension)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Michael BRIDGES (knee - six weeks), Sean ROONEY (knee - season), Ben KANTAROVSKI (knee - season), Brodie MOOY (compartment syndrome - season), Kasey WEHRMAN (Foot - four weeks), Ruben ZADKOVICH (knee - two weeks)

• Having scored in each of their previous 17 home matches, the Central Coast Mariners are aiming to maintain the Hyundai A-League’s longest run of home matches without being scoreless. The last time the Mariners were held to no goals at home was on 31-Dec-09 (L0-2 v Wellington).

Hyundai A-League 2010/11 League Table

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

16 - Sergio VAN DIJK

11 - Robbie KRUSE, Jean Carlos SOLORANZO

10 - Kosta BARBAROUSES, Matt SIMON

9 - Bruno CAZARINE, Bruce DJITE, Robbie FOWLER, Adam KWASNIK

8 - Marcos FLORES

7 - John ALOISI, Chris GREENACRE, Paul IFILL, Gerald SIBON, Shane SMELTZ

6 - Sasho PETROVSKI, Alex BROSQUE, Tim BROWN, Dylan MacALLISTER, Mitch NICHOLS

5 - Danny ALLSOPP, Jason CULINA, Mate DUGANDZIC, Carlos HERNANDEZ, Patricio PEREZ, REINALDO, Mile STERJOVSKI, David WILLIAMS

4 - Thomas BROICH, Travis DODD, Iain FYFE, Mark HUGHES, Marko JESIC, Mathew LECKIE, Daniel MCBREEN, James MEYER, Chris PAYNE,  Iain RAMSAY, Alex TERRA

3 - Leo BERTOS, Shannon COLE, Chris GROSSMAN, Labinot HALITI, Nick KALMAR, Dimitri PETRATOS, Joshua ROSE, Ufuk TALAY, Archie THOMPSON, Bas VAN DEN BRINK, Patrick ZWAANSWIJK

2 - Eli BABALJ, Grant BREBNER, James BROWN, Dyron DAAL, Dino DJULBIC, Ivan FRANJIC, Brendan GAN, Rostyn GRIFFITHS, Todd HOWARTH, Branko JELIC, Juho MAKELA, Matt MCKAY, Kevin MUSCAT, Scott NEVILLE, Erik PAARTALU, Tom PONDELJAK, Joel PORTER, RICARDINHO, ROBSON, Marco ROJAS, Ben SIGMUND, Matt SMITH, Matt THOMPSON, Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, Adama TRAORE, Rodrigo VARGAS, Nick WARD, Ruben ZADKOVICH, Adrian ZAHRA

1 -  Ali ABASS, Mustafa AMINI, Michael BAIRD, Fabian BARBIERO, Andrew BARISIC, Mark BRIDGE, Michael BRIDGES, Jeremy BROCKIE, Leigh BROXHAM, Nicky CARLE, Billy CELESKI, Isaka CERNAK, Simon COLOSIMO, Robert CORNTHWAITE, Jamie COYNE, John CURTIS, Luke DEVERE, Dino DJUBLIC, Mitchell DUKE, Gareth EDDS, Diogo FERRERIA, Rhyan GRANT, Ryan GRIFFITHS, Jamie HARNWELL, Chris HAROLD, HENRIQUE, John HUTCHINSON, Bernie IBINI-ISEI, Scott JAMIESON, Francis JEFFERS, Joe KEENAN, Stephan KELLER, Matthew LEWIS, Vince LIA, Terry MCFLYNN, Michael McGLINCHEY, Josh MITCHELL, Hirofumi MORIYASU, Daniel MULLEN, Massimo MURDOCCA, Panagiotis NIKAS, Steve PANTELIDIS, Adriano PELLEGRINO, Paul REID, Sean ROONEY, Zhang SHUO, Eugene SSEPPUYA, Simon STOREY, Adam TAGGART, Rocky VISCONTE, Alex WILKINSON, Rutger WORM