Mon 23rd Apr 2007

FOR the third season in a row Queensland Roar have a home date on the opening weekend of the Hyundai A-League version 3, with Grand Finalists Adelaide United the visitors to Suncorp Stadium on Saturday August 25^th.

Football Federation Australia (FFA) announced the season draw this morning and it’s set to be a tough start for Frank Farina’s men against a side who are currently experiencing life in the Asian Champions League. The second of eleven home games for Queensland will be the only Thursday night fixture of the entire season when Roar take on the Central Coast Mariners in round 3 on September 6^th.

Sandwiched in between is Roar’s first away game in round 2 when they travel to Newcastle to take on Gary Van Egmond’s Jets side who are sure to be a tougher proposition than they were in the early rounds of the last campaign.  

Roar Coach Frank Farina says the return of two former Socceroos in Roar’s Danny Tiatto and United’s Paul Agostino, would provide an extra incentive for fans to flock to Suncorp Stadium on the opening day.

“All games are tough and you couldn’t really say that you would prefer to play this team or that team on the opening day as all teams are looking for a good start,” said Farina.

He continued: “Tiatto and Agostino will be drawcards for the Adelaide game and I think both teams will be evenly matched, so I’m expecting a good, tough game. We’re at home though and we have to take advantage of that.

“This season it’s important that we start well and keep it going. With only 21 rounds this league is a sprint not a marathon and early results are critical.”

Other key dates for Roar fans’ diaries will be the round 5 clash with Sydney FC at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday September 22nd and the following weekend when Farina takes his troops to the Telstra Dome to face the current Champions, Melbourne Victory.