PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues football kicks off in Queensland this weekend with a mix of traditional rivalries and intriguing match-ups.
Brisbane Strikers FC v Redlands United FC
Saturday, 28 February / Perry Park / 6:00PM
The season kicks off on Saturday with Brisbane Strikers and Redlands United meeting in the opening round for a third straight season.
Honours were split between the pair last year as Strikers recovered from a first-up loss to even the ledger later in the season, before ultimately edging the Red Devils to sneak into the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Finals Series.
Incoming Strikers coach Kevin A’herne-Evans has recruited strongly in the off-season to further bolster the two-time Semi-Finalists and will look to veteran defender Greig Henslee and young attacking midfielder Trent Clulow to set the tone.
Newly-appointed Redlands player/coach Graham Fyfe is also looking to a raft of new players to make an impact including, including last year’s Trophy Superstore Premier League Player of the Year – Brazilian playmaker Igor Sao Jose – and Tasmanian recruit Joel Stone.
Fyfe only took on the combined role late in pre-season after Matt Chandler moved permanently to the position of Technical Director and the club stalwart will hope to guide his side to a first ever top-four finish.
The visitors can expect an attacking opposition despite Strikers losing hotshot striker Matt Thurtell to PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria club Bentleigh Greens in the off-season.
Western Pride FC v South West Queensland Thunder FC
Saturday, 28 February / Briggs Road Complex / 7:00PM
Western Pride and SWQ Thunder will both be led by new coaches as last year’s bottom two teams look to open their campaigns on a positive note in Ipswich.
Former Brisbane Roar and Wellington Phoenix player Karl Dodd takes the reins at Pride after last year helping Palm Beach SC to the double with his leadership on the pitch.
Dodd has placed an emphasis on improved defensive structure and professionalism, recruiting a handful of Queensland Academy of Sport graduates to further complement Pride’s home grown talents.
Chris Wilkes will also expect a stingier Thunder side after accepting the challenge of helping Thunder record a maiden three points.
The Toowoomba-based club conceded over 100 goals in a winless debut season but incoming coach Wilkes has already inspired new confidence, guiding an inexperienced outfit to its first win of 2015 in pre-season.
Saturday night’s match marks an opportunity for both to begin plotting their routes up the ladder.
FNQ FC Heat v Northern Fury FC
Saturday, 28 February / Barlow Park / 7:30PM
The tropical north is set to get even hotter with the blockbuster traditional opening round derby between FNQ Heat and Northern Fury in Cairns.
Fury will need to overcome scars from last season’s 6-2 mauling at the same venue, a result which extended the Townsville club’s record of never defeating their regional rivals.
Heat went on to finish second and reach the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 in 2014 but will be determined to go one further after being falling in their PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Finals Series debut.
Coach Martin Docherty has successfully retained the majority of a squad that turned heads last year, including former Hyundai A-League player Alex Smith, but is without inspirational American goalkeeper Daniel Valcicak for the 2015 campaign.
While Fury struggled for consistency and results last year, but their squad of young local talent will be fired up against their nearest rivals under the guidance of former Perth Glory coach Ian Ferguson.
Sunshine Coast FC v Brisbane City FC
Sunday, 1 March / Sunshine Coast Stadium / 2:15PM
The first live-streamed match of the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland season sees Brisbane City venture up the Bruce Highway to face Sunshine Coast FC.
Both clubs are looking to make amends for disappointing league and cup performances last season after previously qualifying for the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Finals Series in 2013.
City coach Glen Volker welcomes back skipper Mat Biggins and free-scoring striker Antonio Murray to lead their bid for a return to the top four after the 2013 Golden Boot winner missed the majority of last season due to visa issues.
Fire, meanwhile, have called upon several youth products from their dominant Queensland State League years to return and spark a renaissance under new player-coach Paul Arnison.
The QSL squad won four Grand Finals from five and Arnison will aim to instil a similarly successful culture in his first season in charge.
Moreton Bay United FC v Olympic FC
Sunday, 1 March / Wolter Park / 6:00PM
There promises to be plenty of goals north of Brisbane as two of the league’s most attacking teams meet in the form of Olympic FC and Moreton Bay United.
Under the guidance of new coach Adam Piddick, Jets have retained the services of all time PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland leading goalscorer Royce Brownlie and French attacking weapon Charles Mendy.
The pair combined for over 50 goals last campaign and will look to continue in similar fashion at Wolter Park, where Jets and Olympic last played out a thrilling 4-4 draw.
Several new faces will suit up for the visitors in 2015 as Olympic coach Jim Bellas recruited extensively in the off-season to compensate for key departures.
Reuben Way and Jake McLean, star of the club’s high-profile Westfield FFA Cup run, have both relocated to PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria, replaced by former Redlands United pair Scott Bow and Michael Lee.
Ex-Brisbane Roar striker Tim Smits and ageless captain Danny Byrne will again occupy key roles in attack as the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland 2013 Champions look to recapture their crown.
Brisbane Roar FC Youth v Palm Beach SC
TBA
This match will be rescheduled for later in the season due to Young Roar’s final round commitments in the Foxtel National Youth League.
For news, match reports, video highlights and more from Football Queensland, visit www.nplqld.com.au.
