Sunshine Coast Fire v Brisbane Roar
Pre-Season Friendly – One Mile Ovals, Gympie
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 – 7:15pm KICK OFF
In what is quickly becoming a tradition, the Sunshine Coast Fire will host A-League club the Brisbane Roar in a friendly match on June 30.
The Roar have made a match against the Fire a part of their preseason build-up for the past two years, and this year will be no exception when the teams meet at One Mile Oval in Gympie on Wednesday evening.
In the two games the teams have contested, each side has chalked up a win.
Perhaps the Roar expected a cakewalk when they first came up against the Fire in 2008, because they did not play their full strength line-up.
Jerrad Tyson produced a string of classy saves to keep the scores level at 0-0 until half time. Seconds after the break, a header from current Fire captain Shaun Blackman fell for David Muta, who smashed home with his left foot.
It would prove to be the winning goal, and an early indicator that the Queensland State League could produce quality football in its very first year.
The Roar were back again in 2009, eager to take back some pride. A number of their star players started the match, including Socceroos defender Craig Moore, and they proved too strong for the Fire this time around. The Roar piled on three goals before half-time, and added another after the break for a 4-0 victory.
The 2010 pre-season has been a successful one thus far for the Roar – they have yet to taste defeat in their five fixtures, defeating Brisbane City, Brisbane Olympic, Peninsula Power, an African Invitational XI and Ipswich Invitational XI. They will face new A-League side Melbourne Heart on June 25, before completing their run of pre-season friendlies against the Fire on June 30.
The fact that the Brisbane Roar have left this game for last suggests the regard in which the Fire are held.
So for all those football fans who want to see the Roar given a run for their money by our Sunshine Coast Fire, get to One Mile Oval in Gympie on Wednesday June 30. Kickoff is at 7pm and admission is free.
