Anticipation Builds As Men's Schedule Released
Words: Staff Writers
Top Image: Patrick Kearney / Middle Image: Greg Hamblin / Lower Image: Paul Smith
The PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland 2017 season is set to kick off with a bang on 25 February as 10 teams do battle in a huge opening night of action.
Football Queensland today confirmed the fixture schedule for the fifth season of Queensland's elite 12-team men's competition, which forms part of the national second tier.
A blockbuster Saturday night serving of five matches will light up Round 1, while reigning champions Redlands United commence their title defence away to Sunshine Coast FC the following afternoon.
The Red Devils famously broke their silverware drought in dramatic fashion last September as two goals in the final five minutes denied FNQ FC Heat their own maiden Grand Final victory.
The Cairns-based club will get its shot at revenge in Round 8 when they host the season's first Grand Final rematch at Barlow Park.
Brisbane Strikers, who claimed their inaugural PS4 NPL Queensland premiership before being bundled out at the Semi-Final stage by Redlands last season, will debut under new boss Sean Lane away to Western Pride on opening night.
Lane has already pulled off arguably the signing of the season by luring Michael Lee to Perry Park after the midfielder's stunning 2016, which include the winner in the Grand Final and Redlands' equaliser in the memorable Westfield FFA Cup defeat of Adelaide United.
Fellow newcomer Fernando Garcia, who has taken over at SWQ Thunder, will be hoping to lead the Toowoomba side to their first top four finish following a promising eight wins last term.
Young poacher Mustafa Jafari, who netted 12 times in 2016, is among several Thunder talents to have re-committed to the club.
The likes of Moreton Bay United and Sunshine Coast FC - under the new guidance of Roger Hardwicke, who has a wealth of experience in the region - have both been active in reshaping their squads.
One of the major moves includes the retun of attacking midfielder and 2015 double-winner Stephen Green to Wolter Park following a successful stint with Redlands.
The always-anticipated first crosstown clash between Brisbane Olympic and Brisbane City - who finished sixth and fifth respectively - is set for Goodwin Park in Round 7.
The PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Finals Series is set to kick-off in late August with the Grand Final scheduled for Saturday, 2 September.
CLICK HERE to view the 2017 Men's fixture schedule in full.
With final details currently being determined, the Women's and Junior schedules are expected to be announced in the near future.
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