Top-of-the-table Sunshine Coast FC make the trip to Bundaberg, following their morale-boosting 1-0 win over Queensland Roar last weekend. A goal from Papau New Guinea Under 23 captain David Muta was enough to give the Coast boys a victory, and they will be hoping to keep up their formidable form against the Spirit. 16-year-old Arian Dubroy will finally make his QSL debut for the Spirit, after waiting two weeks; he was originally going to play against Redlands City Devils in the washed out game of Round 10. Youngster Josh Brillante is also expected to play a significant role for the Spirit. Last time these two times met in Round 4, Sunshine Coast emerged 6-0 winners but with the progression of the season seeing considerable improvement in the Bundaberg side, this clash is expected to be much more closely matched.

In what is always a highly anticipated clash, Brisbane Strikers host across-town rivals Olympic FC in one of the other Saturday night kick-offs. Olympic are the only team this season to have beaten the Strikers, and despite seven points between the two sides, it is expected to be a very tightly fought and physical game. Olympic coach Bobby Hamilton, who led the Strikers to the Brisbane Premier League treble in 2006 as head coach, is without Blake Charity who is out with a heavily bruised ankle, Wayne Heath, who is still out with a long-term groin injury and newcomer Mathew Rom who needs surgery on a rib injury. Strikers, on the other hand, have 18 players to choose from with numerous players returning from injury, including captain Jamie Johnson.

North Queensland Razorbacks take on Queensland Academy of Sport, looking to continue their goal-scoring form which saw them hit nine past Logan United two weeks ago. QAS winger Tommy Oar, who scored the winner in a training game against QSL side Brisbane Strikers on Queensland Roar duty last week will want to do something similar for his QAS side, the Academy having gone down 2-0 last time these two sides met. The game is also a homecoming for QAS goalkeeper Matt Acton.

The clash between Whitsunday Miners and Capricorn Cougars is set to be an exciting one – with Michael Steere making his Miners debut against his former club. Each side has tasted victory only twice this season, and both sit on eight points, but Justin Kilshaw’s men have a game in hand. Both teams played Central Coast Mariners last week on their pre-season tour, with Cougars losing 3-0 and Miners 5-0 respectively against the reigning A-League premiers. This weekend, Miners welcome back Troy Mundy and goalkeeper Brad Moss from injury, and Ben Schaper from his honeymoon while captain Dwayne German is suffering ankle problems and will not feature against the Cougars. Daniel Scotton will again don the armband in his absence.

Redlands City Devils are especially keen to get on the field after their two weeks off and will get the chance on Sunday when they make the short trip to Logan. Assistant Coach Dave Thorogood said, “Injuries, suspensions and the loss of players to overseas travel have slowed our good start to the competition but we are looking to get back on track this weekend”. Even so, Redlands sit second on the table, four points behind table toppers Sunshine Coast FC. Logan, on the other hand, are bottom of the league with just one win in ten. With recent player movement within the club, hopefully United can give their fans something to cheer about.

Michelle Tobin



QSL ROUND 11

Bundaberg Spirit Vs Sunshine Coast FC, Sat 14th Jun - 7:00pm, Marten Oval, Bundaberg

Brisbane Strikers FC Vs Olympic FC, Sat 14th Jun - 7:00pm, Perry Park, Albion, Brisbane

NQ Razorbacks Vs Queensland Academy of Sport, Sat 14th Jun - 7:00pm, Townsville Sports Reserve

Whitsunday Miners Vs Capricorn Cougars, Sun 15th Jun - 1:00pm, Harrup Park Country Club, Mackay

Logan United FC Vs Redlands City Devils, Sun 15th Jun - 3:00pm, Clem Jones Fields, Slacks Creek