NPL Qld Rd4 Preview – GCU v City

 

 

 

 

Bouyed by a hard fought win against Easts, United return to Coplicks for Round 4 of the National Premier Leagues Queensland competition on Saturday, welcoming the John Kosmina coached Brisbane City FC to Tallebudgera.

 

The match marks the first meeting of the respective coaches in the dugout. Both Adelaide lads, Kosmina coached Adelaide United to the inaugural A-League premiership and that side included a fresh-faced Kristian Rees, who acknowledges the impact the respected player, coach and analyst had on his playing career.

“With Kossie I learnt a lot about mental strength and focusing aggression.

“He has a great ability to read a game and with Adelaide United we had some great success in the first two years of the A-League,” Rees confirmed.

 

Friendships will be set aside for 90 minutes this Saturday when Rees will call on all of his mental strength to out-fox his one-time mentor in what’s expected to be an open and exciting match.

 

United player to watch

Jason Campbell (#6) – industrious in the centre of the park, Campbell (21) was instrumental in United’s solitary goal against Easts, winning the ball on halfway and laying off to Brandon Reeves in space who finished with aplomb. Being used in more of a defensive role under Rees, the box to box midfielder also likes to get forward when the opportunity arises and create and take scoring opportunities.

Jason Campbell in action against Lions FC (Patrick Leigh Perspectives)

 

Brisbane City at a glance

City started their 2019 campaign impressively with 3-0 wins against clubs that propped up the bottom of the 2018 NPL ladder, Redlands & Fire, but met their match against more credentialed opposition in Round 3, losing 3-1 to newly promoted Power on the peninsula last weekend.

With a recent focus on youth development, City has turned to experienced Costa Rican international and former Brisbane Roar forward, Jean Carlos Solorzano to add some firepower upfront. Top scorer in 2018, Sam Sibatura (17 goals), looks the other big threat in the final third. Tommy Aulton again musters the ‘azzuri’ defensively.

 

Past Encounters

City put United to the sword in both 2018 matches, winning 5-2 at Station Reserve in Rd4 and repeating the dose in Rd 17 running our comfortable 5-1 winners at Corporate Travel Management Stadium, Newmarket.

 

How to watch

Kick-off at Coplicks is at 5pm on Saturday.

The match will be live streamed on Football Queensland’s youtube channel.