A-League 2009/10 preview – Gold Coast United
The self-titled glamour club have made a plethora of quality signings ahead of their inaugural season in the A-League.
Backed by billionaire chairman and owner Clive Palmer and coached by the outspoken Miron Bleiberg, Gold Coast United look set to take Australian football by storm and have already targeted the 2009/10 championship.
Led by last season’s A-League Player of the Year and leading goal scorer Shane Smeltz and Socceroos star Jason Culina, with help from ex-Hartlepool striker Joel Porter, United look like having the basis of a quality playing squad.
Throw in the unknown quantity of the Brazilian trio of Robson, Milson and Anderson (injury replacement for Jefferson) plus Dutch defender Bas van den Brink and young gun Tahj Minniecon and the new franchise has a legitimate chance of challenging for the title.
Probably best for the club to now let their football do the talking though.
Arrivals: Andrew Barisic (Melbourne Knights), Anderson (Criciuma, Brazil), James Brown (AIS), Zenon Caravella (FC Omniworld, Holland), Jason Culina (PSV Eindhoven, Holland), Steve Fitzsimmons (Beenleigh), Richard Greer (AIS), Adam Griffiths (Newcastle Jets), Scott Higgins (Eastern Suburbs), Jefferson (Atletico Rorairama, Brazil), Milson (Madureira, Brazil), Tahj Minniecon (Brisbane Roar), Matt Osman (Central Coast Mariners), Steve Pantelidis (Melbourne Victory), Joel Porter (Hartlepool United), Daniel Piorkowski (Newcastle Jets), Kristian Rees (Adelaide City), Robson (Cabofriense), Shane Smeltz (Wellington Phoenix), Michael Thwaite (SK Brann, Norway), Adama Traore (Ecole de Football Yeo Martial, Ivory Coast), Bas van den Brink (FC Omniworld, Holland), Jess Vanstrattan (Verona, Italy).
Departures: nil
Biggest signing: Jason Culina
Biggest loss: nil
Key men: Jason Culina (captain/marquee midfielder), Shane Smeltz (star striker), Joel Porter (striker), Jess Vanstrattan (goalkeeper)
Team list:
Goalkeepers - Jess Vanstrattan, Scott Higgins
Defenders - Michael Thwaite, Daniel Piorkowski, Adam Griffiths, Bas van den Brink, Kristian Rees, Adama Traore
Midfielders - Steve Pantelidis, Robson, Zenon Caravella, Jefferson, Jason Culina, Matthew Osman, Anderson
Forwards - Shane Smeltz, Milson, Joel Porter, Tahj Minniecon, Andrew Barisic
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Results & Fixtures
Matches
| Home | Away | Score | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri Feb 10th | |||
| Melbourne Victory | Central Coast Mariners | 2 - 1 | 09:00 |
| Sat Feb 11th | |||
| Newcastle Jets | Melbourne Heart | 3 - 0 | 06:30 |
| Sydney | Perth Glory | 2 - 1 | 08:45 |
| Sun Feb 12th | |||
| Wellington Phoenix | Brisbane Roar | 0 - 2 | 04:00 |
| Gold Coast United | Adelaide United | 1 - 2 | 06:30 |
Tables
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Coast Mariners | 20 | 12 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 40 |
| Brisbane Roar | 21 | 10 | 5 | 6 | 16 | 35 |
| Wellington Phoenix | 21 | 10 | 3 | 8 | 5 | 33 |
| Perth Glory | 21 | 9 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 31 |
| Newcastle Jets | 21 | 8 | 4 | 9 | -2 | 28 |
| Melbourne Heart | 21 | 7 | 6 | 8 | -1 | 27 |
| Sydney | 21 | 7 | 6 | 8 | -7 | 27 |
| Melbourne Victory | 21 | 5 | 10 | 6 | -5 | 25 |
| Adelaide United | 21 | 5 | 8 | 8 | -13 | 23 |
| Gold Coast United | 20 | 3 | 6 | 11 | -11 | 15 |
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