Queensland has progressed to the Preliminary Final following their 2-1 win over Central Coast at Suncorp Stadium.
The Roar, who now have a club record four wins in a row will face the loser of the major semi final tussle next week full of confidence after a great performance by their stars. On a damp night after a wet day in Brisbane which rained out a certain other sporting event Queensland still showed their support with 23,705 coming to watch their team for the last time this year.
Queensland had a slightly different line up from last time with the forced changes of Tiatto through suspension and McCloghan and Minniecon both unfit to take part. Packer was switched to left back with Seo taking the right back role and DeVere held the centre next to Moore. Youngster Isaka Cernak earned a start to fill the void made by Minniecon who pulled up sore from training Thursday morning.
Lawrie McKinna decided on a similar formation to last game excepting Caceras and Gumprecht coming from the bench with Boogaard and Clark in the starting eleven.
Queensland dominated the opening stanza with many oppourtunities falling to the usual suspects. In the 8th minute Zullo latched onto a long ball from Seo with too much pace for his defender. Zullo had room to shoot as he caught the ball inside the box on the half volley. His shot was brilliantly stopped by Vukovic but that was far from all the work Danny had in the first half.
The 17th minute saw a brilliant run by Nichols, who was involved in everything in the first half. He has this brilliant ability to keep the ball away from the defender but keep moving forward. Kind of 'anti-jockeying' would be the best way to describe it. It isn't tricky dribbling, just constant, and he just always wins those 50/50 challenges. One of these runs he linked up with Zullo who rolled it to the left from Nichols to have a great goal scoring oppourtunity, his shot was straight at the keeper but that's not to say Vukovic did nothing. A good keeper makes it look simple.
However, in the 21st minute the pressure paid off. Van Dijk received the ball on the edge of the box, created some room to turn and shoot. The shot could only be deflected away by Vukovic. He attempted to re gather but was beaten to the ball by McKay who flicked the ball into the centre as fast as possible with no keeper. The clearing header by Porter only made it as far as Murdocca who controlled and shot. His shot took a deflection off Mitch Nichols who claimed the goal. The ball was possibly goal bound without Nichols' touch but he made sure of it.
Queensland continued to dominate the first half with the rare chance falling to the Mariners. One noteworthy one is Macallister's header at the far post from a well delivered free kick. His closest defender, Van Dijk, was nowhere near the ball but his header was quickly smothered by Reddy.
The start of the second half could not have fell better for the home side. Lawrie McKinna had come to the conclusion it's all or nothing and thrown the dice with three strikers as Mrdja and Petrovski came on for Clark and Macallister. So in a defensively weaker formation Queensland broke through in the 46th minute. Van Dijk received the ball from Mckay and held it up for Nichols on his left. McKay continued his run on the left and Nichols duly delivered a great ball. McKay elected not to smash it as but he took a step off it to place it firmly past Vukovic into the bottom corner. A Classy play by the Roar's spearhead attackers.
As the half rolled on it seemed there would be more goals in this game but no one was quite sure which end. McKinna's strategy had paid off with Queensland seemingly loosing shape in the last half hour. Counter attacks didn't get much past the midfield with the exception to the rule being long balls to Zullo. I would give my right leg to have the control he has, all be it an exercise in futility seeing as I just lost my dominant foot. But really, some of the touches he produces are just unbelievable.
The 63rd minute saw Central Coast receive they're consolation prize. Petrovski squared it in to Mrdja who had acres of space 25 yards out, settled himself and buried the shot low into the net, squeezing through Reddy's fingers. Great shot but one couldn't help but feel the keeper at the other end of the pitch would have stopped it.
Petrovski and Mrdja combination gave the Roar defence a few more hassels as they really looked out of sorts for the final minutes which Farina won't be happy about. Substitutes Charlie Miller and Henrique made little to no difference - possibly the worst display seen by Charlie Miller and Henrique was far from impressive, still wondering where one Robert Kruse is.
So the Central Coast now have to refocus for their ACL stint as Queensland will now face, presumably, Adelaide in Adelaide. In this recent form they have to be favourites and even more so, championship contenders. Melbourne by no means has this locked up. The Roar, having been one of the two teams to take full points from the Telstra Dome this year they will be confident that it can be done and with this formidable attacking line up they surely must be rated a chance.