Melbourne Heart FC will look to return to the winners list when the side faces Gold Coast United in a crunch encounter at AAMI Park tonight.
Melbourne Heart FC will look to return to the winners list when the side faces Gold Coast United in a crunch encounter at AAMI Park tonight.
Having failed to register a victory in 2012, Heart will be looking to turn its fortunes around and consolidate its place in the Hyundai A-League-s top six with the Finals Series fast approaching.
Heart-s chances have been boosted by the return of Club Captain Fred, who will take to the field in the Hyundai A-League for the first time since January 8.
The Brazilian star has been one of Heart-s most influential performers this season, playing an integral role in the side-s stellar run through November and December which saw the Red and White soar to the upper echelons of the Hyundai A-League table.
He will be joined by fellow midfield dynamo Matt Thompson in returning to the Heart match day squad, with the four-time Socceroo recovering from a sprained knee which saw him miss a fortnight.
With four goals this season, Thompson is among Heart-s leading scorers, providing added power to a Red and White attack which has failed to fire in recent weeks.
Gold Coast United meanwhile will field a youthful eleven, drawing significantly from its much laude d reserves of emerging stars.
Among the fledgling Hyundai A-League players set to feature this evening includes 17-year old Mitch Cooper, who will don the Captain-s armband on his senior debut.
Born in Vanuatu, Cooper featured in all four matches for the Australian U/17s at the recent FIFA Under 17 World Cup.
Previous Results
8 January 2012 – Gold Coast United 1 Melbourne Heart FC 1 @ Skilled Park, Robina
18 November 2011 – Gold Coast United 1 Melbourne Heart FC 2 @ Skilled Park, Robina
19 January 2011 – Melbourne Heart FC 1 Gold Coast United 1 @ AAMI Park, Melbourne
Recent Form
Heart: LDLDL
Gold Coast: LLDLL
Player to Watch
Ben Halloran – The attacking speedster has been a revelation this season, scoring twice in 17 appearances from an advanced midfield position to be one of Gold Coast-s shining lights this campaign.
Fact of the Week
Melbourne Heart FC has not scored in its last 235 minutes of Hyundai A-League action.
Squad
Melbourne Heart FC squad: 1.Clint Bolton (GK), 2.Michael Marrone, 3.Brendan Hamill, 4.Simon Colosimo, 5.Fred ©, 6.Matt Thompson, 7.Rutger Worm, 9.Maycon, 10.Wayne Srhoj, 11.Alex Terra, 13.Jonatan Germano, 15.David Williams, 19.Eli Babalj, 26.Paul Reid, 27.Craig Goodwin, 30.Sebastian Mattei (GK)
*one to be omitted*
Gold Coast United squad: 20.Jerrad Tyson (GK), 2.Josh Brillante, 4.Zac Anderson, 5.Kristian Rees, 7.Golgol Mebrahtu, 11.Jake Barker-Daish, 14.Ben Halloran, 15.Adama Traore, 17.Chris Harold, 21.Daniel Severino, 26.Ambes Yosief, 28.Daniel Bowles, 29.Mitch Bevan, 30.Brendan White (GK), 33.Mitch Cooper (c)
