PRELIMINARY FINAL PREVIEW

The Sunshine Coast Fire will look to put the disappointment of missing out on a HQSL Grand Final berth behind them this Sunday, when they take on the North Queensland Razorbacks in a Preliminary Final at Stockland Park.

The 2-1 Major Semi Final loss at the hands of the Brisbane Strikers is a setback for the Fire, but the team will be confident of booking yet another showdown with the Strikers by getting past the Razorbacks.

The Razorbacks qualified for the Preliminary after defeating FNQ in a North Queensland derby, turning around some average form of late with an important 2-1 victory in Mareeba. It was the Razorbacks first victory over their nearest rivals in four attempts this season, and the side will travel to Kawana on Sunday brimming with confidence and looking to dash the Fire's party.

The Fire will take heart from the fact that their 2008 Championship came the hard way, when they lost at home to the Strikers by the same scoreline in the Major Semi Final.

The Coast then went on to face North Queensland in the Preliminary Final at Stockland Park, recording a 7-0 thrashing before travelling to Perry Park and claiming revenge over the Strikers with a 1-0 triumph in the Grand Final.

The Fire will be doing all in their power to try and emulate this feat, but will not be taking the threat of North Queensland lightly.

It was the Razorbacks who were the first to taste victory over the Fire this season, holding on for a 2-1 win in Round 13 to snap the Coast's winning streak at 12 games.

The most recent encounter between the two sides in Round 20 ended in a 4-2 victory for the Fire, despite playing the bulk of the game with only 10 men.

With the Under-19 Fire already booking their place in the Grand Final with last week's win, Aston Bell will have a few more players at his disposal for the match.

PRELIMINARY FINAL PREVIEW

Talay tells Pigs to use their inner Fury

ANDREW ALOIA  |  September 3rd, 2010

If there is any outfit that knows a thing or two about defying the odds it's Talay and his comrades who sit fourth on the ladder with a famous win over champions Sydney and fearless draws against competition pacesetter Perth and last season's grand finalists Melbourne Victory.

To get past the Far North Queensland Bulls in last week's QSL elimination final in Mareeba, the Razorbacks showed that very same bravado. And Talay, who served as an assistant coach of the club in the A-League off-season, couldn't have been happier.

"It does make you proud to think that we are leading by example at the Fury and that others look up to us," Talay said. "We want to be a community club and the Razorbacks are the state team here with us so it's great to have a strong link."

The Razorbacks could do with some of the Fury flamboyance if they are to power past minor premiers Sunshine Coast in Sunday's preliminary final.

Coach Ken Mitchell, who also serves as goalkeeping coach at the Fury, said the frenzy of excitement around the Townsville-based A-League club has had a very real effect on the attitudes of his players.

"It's really rubbed off - my players watch how the Fury play and later all they talk about is the passion the side has," Mitchell said.

"They have now realised there is a whole new level they can step up to."

The Fury's influence on the QSL side goes beyond an emotional bond with Mitchell adopting some of master tactician Franz Straka's teachings. And it's not just a fashion thing according to captain Michael Lancini, who suspects Straka borrowed his cream jacket from Mitchell.

"I heard that coat was Kenny's," Lancini laughed.

Hyundai QSL Preliminary Final