ALM Match Preview: Glory won’t die wondering in Wellington says Griff

Perth Glory ALM Head Coach Adam Griffiths has vowed that his side won’t die wondering in Saturday’s vital away showdown with Wellington Phoenix (kick-off at 10am WST, watch live on Paramount+).

Click HERE to view his full pre-match media conference.

Click HERE to view defender Charbel Shamoon’s pre-match media conference.

Depending on results elsewhere, victory at Hnry Stadium could move the men in purple to within one point of the top six with only five games of the regular season left to play.

And having seen his charges secure two hard-fought points from their most recent outings away at Brisbane Roar and Auckland FC, Griffiths is backing them to go full tilt for a further three at the expense of the ‘Nix.

“The mentality of the group was strong in the last two games,” he said.

“They’ve shown real character.

“We sort of lost our way a little bit after the Newcastle and Adelaide games, but we’re starting to find our feet and our rhythm again.

“The group knows that we expect to go home with three points.

“So we’ll be playing to win and that’s no different to the Auckland game.

“Even in the 95th minute, we were pushing for that winner.

“So the mentality of the group will be that we’re going out to win and the expectation on the group is that.”

Glory will face a Wellington side which has not tasted victory since mid-January and recently parted company with Head Coach Giancarlo Italiano, but Griffiths believes they will still pose a major threat as they look to keep their own Finals hopes flickering.

“They’re a good club and a strong club and they develop good young players,” he said.

“It’s going to be a real challenge.

“We’re expecting Wellington, from the previous two games, to sit in something like a mid-block and then press aggressively from there.

“They don’t leave you a lot of space, so we’ve just got to find moments where we can find those pockets of space to then try and hurt Wellington.”

In terms of early team news, the Head Coach confirmed that no fresh injury concerns arose from the Auckland game and the squad will be boosted by the return from suspension of midfielder Gio De Abreu.

As for Phoenix, they currently sit one point and one place below Glory having secured five wins, three of which have come at home.

Among their better performers this term have been powerful Nigerian striker Ifeanyi Eze who has scored eight times in what is his debut A-League season, fellow-import Kazuki Nagasawa who has contributed two goals and four assists and experienced midfielder Alex Rufer who is set to return from suspension this weekend.

Saturday will mark the 56th edition of the original Distance Derby and the consistent competitiveness of the fixture is reflected by the fact that Phoenix have enjoyed 22 wins to Glory’s 21.

The WA side have generally fared well in the NZ capital, not failing to score there since 2013 and securing three points on their most recent trip in the final game of last season.

Match Details

Isuzu UTE A-League 2025/26 Season Round 21

Wellington Phoenix v Perth Glory

Hnry Stadium

Saturday 14 March 2026

Kick-off: 10:00am WST

Wellington Phoenix Squad: 1. Josh OLUWAYEMI (gk), 3. Corban PIPER, 4. Manjrekar JAMES, 6. Tim PAYNE, 7. Ifeanyi EZE, 8. Paulo RETRE, 10. Nikola MILEUSNIC, 11. Carlo ARMIENTO, 12. Dan EDWARDS, 14. Alex RUFER (c), 15. Isaac HUGHES, 16. Sander KARTUM, 18. Lukas KELLY-HEALD, 20. Ramy NAJJARINE, 23. Luke SUPYK, 25. Kazuki NAGASAWA, 27. Matt SHERIDAN, 28. Bill TUILOMA, 29. Luke BROOKE-SMITH, 30. Alby KELLY-HEALD (gk)

(Two to be omitted)

Ins: 14. Alex RUFER (returning from suspension)

Outs: 37. Anaru CASSIDY (omitted)

Unavailable: 9. Sarpreet SINGH (injured), 19. Nathan WALKER (injured)

Perth Glory Squad: 2.Charbel SHAMOON, 3.Sam SUTTON, 4.Scott WOOTTON, 7.Nicholas PENNINGTON, 8.Callum TIMMINS, 9.Jaiden KUCHARSKI, 16.Gabriel POPOVIC, 17.Arion SULEMANI, 18.Luca TEVERE, 19.Josh RISDON, 20.Trent OSTLER, 22.Adam TAGGART (c), 23.Anthony DIDULICA, 24.Andriano LEBIB, 27.Will FRENEY, 29.Matt SUTTON (gk), 39.Giovanni DE ABREU, 40.Ryan WARNER (gk), 45.Brian KALTAK, 67.Stefan COLAKOVSKI

(Two to be omitted)

Ins: 17.Arion SULEMANI, 39.Giovanni DE ABREU

Outs: None

Unavailable: 6.Brandon O’NEILL (injured), 11.Lachlan WALES (injured), 13.Cameron COOK (gk) (injured), 31.Joel ANASMO (injured), 34.Tom LAWRENCE (injured)

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