The calendar for the 2009/10 Hyundai A-League season has been released, with more action than ever before thanks to the introduction of the two new Queensland teams.
And it is Gold Coast United who feature in the most mouth-watering tie of Round One as the travel to face Queensland (soon to be Brisbane) Roar at Suncorp Stadium.
The outcome is somewhat of a victory for the cash-strapped Roar after original plans for big-spending United to host the tie were changed, denying the newboys a 28,000 sell-out. That said, with the potential for a much larger crowd in Brisbane, the new derby looks set to give the A-League the spectacle and rivalry it desperately needs.
Further big news from the announcement was the decision to increase the number of teams making the finals from four to six, a decision that will add more excitement to the league as it reaches it’s latter stages.
Football Federation Australia CEO Ben Buckley said of the maiden ten-team season: “There will be 10 teams this season playing 6 more rounds of football and resulting in 51 more games than previous seasons played in 13 cities. This draw is good news for players, fans, clubs and the media.”
The high-profile signings of Jason Culina (left) and Robbie Fowler, plus the potential arrival of the one-time most expensive player in the world Denilson (right), could have a big impact on A-League attendances
Indeed it is, with the introduction of Gold Coast and North Queensland Fury to the mix, the A-League will have added spice. Added to that the return of Socceroo Jason Culina, Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler and the expected arrival of Brazilian maestro Denilson, and the league looks set to have more quality and excitement than ever before.
This will hopefully improve attendances after suffering a slight lull during the last campaign.
Other highlights of the draw are news that Fowler’s first game in Sydney is to be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground, while Perth Glory will play some games at Subiaco Oval and Central Coast are likely to venture away from the Bluetongue Stadium to play a home match for the first time.
The season will start earlier than before thanks to the increase in numbers. A-League winners Melbourne Victory will open their title defence at home to Central Coast on Thursday 6th August. Perth make the long trip to Adelaide on the 7th, before the Queensland derby and the Fury’s first home tie against Sydney the following day. Newcastle Jets and Wellington Phoenix close the opening round when they clash at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
Fixture List Highlights
ROUND 1
Thu 06 Aug – Melbourne Victory vs Central Coast Mariners
Fri 07 Aug – Adelaide United vs Perth Glory
Sat 08 Aug – North Queensland Fury vs Sydney FC
Sat 08 Aug – Queensland Roar vs Gold Coast United
Sun 09 Aug – Newcastle Jets vs Wellington Phoenix
ROUND 5
Fri 04 Sep – Central Coast Mariners vs Perth Glory, at unconfirmed venue
ROUND 6
Sat 12 Sep – Sydney FC vs North Queensland Fury, at Sydney Cricket Ground
ROUND 15
Sun 22 Nov – Perth Glory vs Sydney FC, at Subiaco Oval
ROUND 21
Boxing Day – Gold Coast United vs Queensland Roar
Boxing Day – Perth Glory vs Newcastle Jets
ROUND 27
Fri 12 Feb – Wellington Phoenix vs Central Coast Mariners
Fri 12 Feb – Newcastle Jets vs Adelaide United
Sat 13 Feb – Perth Glory vs Queensland Roar
Sat 13 Feb – North Queensland Fury vs Gold Coast United
Sun 14 Feb – Sydney FC vs Melbourne Victory
