Hyundai Queensland State League – Major Semi-Final
Sunshine Coast Fire v Brisbane Strikers
Sunday, August 29 2010, 3pm
Kane Frampton – Staff Reporter
When the two most prominent Hyundai Queensland State League teams last did battle, it proved to be an excellent showcase of the league’s quality.
This Sunday, the Sunshine Coast Fire and Brisbane Strikers will take to the field once again, as the 2010 HQSL finals series kicks off at One Mile Ovals in Gympie.
The victorious team will progress directly to hosting the Grand Final, while the other will have to get past the winner of the Minor Semi-Final, which will be fought out by the FNQ Bulls and North Queensland Razorbacks on Saturday evening.
Immediate progression to the Grand Final would be a huge boost for the Fire’s chances of claiming a Premiership/Championship double, last achieved by the club in 2008.
Both sides boast impressive recent form – the Fire closed the season out with comfortable victories over the Whitsunday Miners, North Queensland Razorbacks and Bundaberg Spirit to claim 18 wins from 21 matches, with 63 goals scored in total.
Although Brisbane finished the season 10 points adrift of the Fire, they boast the best defensive record with only 21 goals conceded – an average of a goal per game. The Strikers managed 14 wins, three draws and four losses, with some of their best performances coming late in the season.
The sides have met three times this year, with the Fire coming out on top in Rounds 4 and 11 by a single goal. In Round 18 the tables were turned, when the Strikers snatched a late goal to claim a 1-0 victory and bragging rights.
Both sides have enjoyed a fortnight’s break before this Sunday’s match, and will be fresh and up for the challenge.
The Fire have no major injury concerns and should be able to field a full strength line-up, with young squad members Alex Henderson, James Stinson, Ryan Delahunty and Josh Taylor this week returning from trials in Japan.
The Major Semi-Final will kick-off at 3pm on Sunday, August 29, at One Mile Ovals in Gympie. The curtain raiser to the match will be the Under-19 Fire taking on the Brisbane Strikers in their own Major-Semi Final, kicking off at 12.30pm.
The Under-19’s toughed out important wins over South West Queensland and the Bundaberg Spirit in the final two rounds to cement second place on the ladder, and now face the red-hot Brisbane Strikers in the hope of booking a Grand Final berth.
Although the boys are yet to taste victory over the table-topping Strikers this season, finals football is a different prospect and the Fire will be intent on causing an upset.
