Hyundai Queensland State League – Round Eleven
Sunshine Coast Fire v North Queensland Razorbacks
The Sunshine Coast Fire are back in action this weekend after a fortnight off, and will be looking to clear out the cobwebs against the North Queensland Razorbacks on Sunday afternoon.
With the Fire’s Round Ten grudge match with the Brisbane Strikers called off due to wet weather, the side will have done all they can to ensure they have retained match fitness for the visit from the Razorbacks.
The Sunshine Coast have managed to maintain their unbeaten record despite a disrupted season, with solid contributions from across the park keeping the side on top of the HQSL table.
As for the visitors, the Razorbacks fielded a youthful side last week in their 5-0 rout of the Bundaberg Spirit, with four of their goals coming in the last 20 minutes. The result would have been a welcome boost heading into the clash with the Fire.
With a healthy return of 21 goals from nine games so far, the Razorbacks sit in fourth position with three wins, three draws and three losses. Prior to last week’s win over the Spirit, North Queensland had managed only three points from four games, with an away loss to the Brisbane Strikers in Round 6 followed by draws with QAS, FNQ Bulls and the Capricorn Cougars.
It will be the second time the Fire and Razorbacks meet this season, with the Sunshine Coast making the trip north in Round Two and coming away with a comfortable 3-0 win.
As many of North Queensland’s younger players are being given an opportunity to shine, the Fire can expect plenty of enthusiasm from the Razorbacks on Sunday afternoon. The Fire saw first-hand how dangerous travelling sides can be when the Whitsunday Miners came so close to victory in Round 8, and the side will not be taking the Razorbacks lightly.
Kickoff is set for 2pm at Stockland Park’s Western Fields, in what is to be the Fire’s last home game at the ground before moving to the new Stockland Park Stadium for the rest of the season.
The Fire’s youth teams will also be in action on Sunday, facing off against each other at 4pm. The Sunshine Coast Under-19s had their own clash with the Brisbane Strikers postponed last week, whereas the Gympie Fire notched a breakthrough 1-0 victory over the Gold Coast Stars, their first win for the season.
The Sunshine Coast comfortably lead the HQSYL this season and remain undefeated, but Gympie will have taken great confidence from their first victory and will be intent on causing an upset. When the sides last met the match ended in a 5-3 win for the Sunshine Coast, and we can expect a similar close contest on Sunday.
