Sport
Football Feast as A-League Fixture Released
The Hyundai A-League has released its fixture for the 2014/15 Season, which will spread over 27 Rounds.
Major highlights include the ‘Summer of Football’, which will see 21 matches played across 22 days between December 19 and January 8, 2015, as well as two Boxing Day matches and the inaugural Westfield FFA Cup Final on December 16.
All eyes will be on Melbourne City – formerly Melbourne Heart – following the club’s purchase by English Premier League heavyweight Manchester City and its signing of key international David Villa for 10 matches.
City will host its first home game in Round 2 before taking on cross-town rival Melbourne Victory at Etihad Stadium in Round 3. It will be the first of three Melbourne derbies to be played between the two clubs.
Melbourne Victory will play five of its biggest games at Etihad Stadium. As well as two derbies against City on October 25, and February 7, 2015, they will host the Wanderers in the season opener on October 10, reigning Champions Brisbane Roar on November 21 and Sydney FC on December 13.
The first of the Grand Final rematches will take place in Round 4 when the Western Sydney Wanders host Brisbane Roar at Pirtek Stadium. The match adds to a challenging start to the season for the Wanderers which includes their season opening match against Melbourne Victory at Etihad Stadium and a Round 3 clash with Central Coast Mariners at Pirtek Stadium.
The Newcastle Jets face a tough start to the 2014/15 season with four away games in the first four matches, including trips to Melbourne, Wellington and Perth. Their round 5 and 6 fixtures will be played at their home ground Hunter Stadium.
The A-League finals will be begin the weekend of April 24-26, 2015, with the Grand Final scheduled for Sunday May 10, 2015. The season will break for the AFC Asian Cup from January 9 to 31, 2015.
