Queensland Roar season 2007-08

=Squad=

-|Failure to qualify for the 2006-2007 finals series resulted in the release from contract of defenders Chad Gibson (the club's first captain and A-league pin-up boy) and Swiss import Remo Buess. Both left on good terms with the club during January 2007 stating that the team had to be altered to make it more competitive in the future.

In further evidence of "spring cleaning" in preparation for Season 3, Chinese signing Yuning Zhang was released from an inauspicious contract with the Roar. Billed as the Chinese David Beckham, Zhang underwhelmed Roar supporters and will return to China in search of a club within the local scene there.

Danny Tiatto has signed a two year contract with Queensland Roar, becoming Frank Farina's first 07/08 signing . Tiatto, who has played in England for the past 11 years for Leicester City and Manchester City, agreed to terms with Queensland after Melbourne declined to sign him.

Farina has highlighted his favoritism toward young Queensland and indeed Australian players with the signings for the 2007-08 season of highly-rated Queenslanders and Youth International Strikers Robbie Kruse and Tahj Minniecon, as well as attacking Midfielder Mitch Nichols. Also, the contracts of highly-rated 20-year-olds Chris Grossman and Ben Griffin have been renewed, while Farina has given two-year contracts to Queenslanders Under-17 International Striker Tahj Minniecon and Under-20 and AIS Scholarship holder Robbie. These signings have all made the Roar a team of bright, young talent, predominantly Queenslanders which is Farina's focus.

Queensland Roar's German import Marcus Wedau has been released from the remaining year of his contract by the A-League club on compassionate grounds. Wedau, 31, will return to Germany to be with his pregnant partner who is expecting their first child in October.

On July 25 2007, Craig Moore was be unveiled as the new marquee player for the Roar, returning to his native home state of Queensland, Australia, to play in the 2007/2008 Hyundai A-League Season and the 2008-2009 season [ [http://www.theworldgame.com.au/home/index.php?pid=st&cid=92286 "Moore tipped to join Roar", SBS The World Game website] "Retrieved on July 25, 2007"] [ [http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/football/moore-signs-for-roar/2007/07/25/1185043160945.html "Moore signs for Roar", Brisbane Times] "Retrieved on July 25, 2007" ] |
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"Players departing"

Pre-season Cup group stage

Pre-season Cup semi-final

footballbox
date = August 5, 2007
18:00
team1 = ALeague AU
score = 3 – 2
report = [http://www.adelaideunited.com.au/default.aspx?s=aufc_newsdisplay&id=18732&pageid=1558 (Report)]
team2 = ALeague QR
goals1 = Djite goal|1 Petta goal|45 Cássio goal|64
goals2 = Lynch goal|16 Milicic goal|73
stadium = Hindmarsh Stadium,
Adelaide, South Australia
attendance = 5,221
referee = Angelo Nardi

Pre-season Cup third place playoff

footballbox
date = 12 August 2007
16:00 UTC+10
team1 = ALeague CCM
score = 1 – 3
report = [http://www.a-league.com.au/default.aspx?s=hal_newsdisplay&id=18803 (Report)]
team2 = ALeague QR
goals1 = Simon goal|9
goals2 = Milicic goal|30 Nichols sent off|0|33 Marcinho goal|48 Seo sent off|0|76 Reinaldo goal|86
stadium = Bluetongue Stadium
attendance = 3,500 ( [http://spirit.webcity.com.au/AFN/2007-2008/P5/P5-CCvsQR.htm estimate] )
referee = James Lewis

Hyundai A-League fixtures

Ladder position

References