Welcome to Round 9 of Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season!
Congratulations to Sergio Van Dijk who scored Hyundai A-League season 5's 100th goal with his 85th minute header against Sydney FC.
It's mid-table madness with only 2 points separating 1st and 7th position and a host of teams battling for bragging rights of top spot.
This week also sees Sydney FC reach 100 Hyundai A-League games, only the fourth team to reach this milestone after Adelaide United in Round 5 and Central Coast Mariners and Newcastle Jets in Round 7.
Stats, facts & milestones
Gold Coast United (1) v Wellington Phoenix (8) Friday 2 October 2009, Skilled Park, 8.00pm local
- If there is any time that might feel comfortable in the hot air of Gold Coast United, the team from Windy Wellington may be just the one! - Wellington will be aiming not to extend their record as the draw specialists, having amassed 5 from 8 games so far this season. However, with the compactness of the table, picking up a point could be precious when it comes to the business end of the season - Gold Coast will want to win at home after their dramatic last minute loss to Melbourne Victory on the weekend
Perth Glory (2) v North Queensland Fury (10) Saturday 3 October 2009, ME Bank Stadium, 3.30pm local
- For the first time in its Hyundai A-League history, Perth Glory will now be aiming for an unprecedented first placing on the ladder over the coming weeks - In the meantime, North Queensland Fury is making the long trip to Perth as they aim to rise to a more deserving position on the Hyundai A-League table
Melbourne Victory (6) v Brisbane Roar (5) Saturday, 3 October 2009, Etihad Stadium, 7.30pm local
- 6 v 5 - Melbourne Victory v Brisbane Roar is always a great football spectacle. Old mates, Muscat and Moore. Van Dijk v Vargas. Hernadez, Reinaldo, Henrique and Fabiano - Gates open at 4.30pm for the Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory Westfield W-League match
Sydney FC (3) v Central Coast Mariners (4) Monday, 5 October 2009, Sydney Football Stadium, 3.00pm local
- A languid, long weekend public holiday - why not go to the football to see the little F3 Derby between Sydney FC - who play their 100th game in the Hyundai A-League - and Central Coast Mariners in a battle to stay in the top four - Gates open at 12.00pm for the Sydney FC v Central Coast Mariners Westfield W-League match
Adelaide United (7) v Newcastle Jets (9) Monday, 5 October 2009, Hindmarsh Stadium, 4.30pm local
- Another long weekend public holiday, and Adelaide are coming off an emphatic away win after the long, hot trip to Townsville, while Newcastle Jets will be looking to convert their many chances in to a win away from home - Gates open at 1.30pm for the Adelaide United v Newcastle Jets Westfield W-League match
Birthday celebrations
- Today marks the 21st birthday celebrations for Perth Glory's Aleks Vrteski, 28 September - Tomorrow Gold Coast United strike sensation, Shane Smeltz, turns 28, Tuesday 29 September - On Wednesday, Osama Malik, from North Queensland Fury, turns 19, 30 September - And last but certainly not least, Central Coast Mariners' Shane Huke turns 24 on Friday, 2 October
