ALM Match Preview: Glory quietly confident heading into Sky Blues showdown

Glory ALM Head Coach Adam Griffiths believes his side are more than capable of backing up Sunday’s impressive win over Macarthur FC when they take on top-four contenders Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium on Saturday (kick-off at 5:35pm WST, watch live and FREE on 10.com.au and 10Drama).

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

The men in purple have now lost only one in five after turning on the style in the second half last weekend to get the better of an in-form Bulls aiming to lock in a Finals berth.

Griffiths now sees no reason why they cannot repeat the trick against the Sky Blues who are currently sitting in third spot.

“I think our forward intent [against Macarthur FC] was excellent,” he said.

“Our counter-press mentality was excellent and it was a positive performance.

“We’ve got to continue to build on that and just enjoy ourselves.

“I want us as a collective to win these last two games.

“We go into every game with that attitude and off the back of that momentum and some consistent performances, I think if we have a good performance, the result will come.

“The main focus of the playing group and staff is 100% can we be the best versions of ourselves?

“I feel that the performances, especially in the last three games, have really shown our intent and we want that to continue.”

The Head Coach went on to suggest that the resilience his side showed to go again after relinquishing the lead against Macarthur bodes well for the final two games of the season and beyond.

“The most pleasing thing from the game was that we didn’t change our mentality,” he said.

“The gameplan stayed the same.

“Our mentality was to still have the intent to go forward and play forward and be on the front foot in front of the Shed.

“It was a powerful example of what we can become.”

Saturday’s opponents recently switched Head Coach, with Ufuk Talay being replaced by Patrick Kisnorbo and Griffiths feels that the Sky Blues’ approach has changed slightly under the new regime.

“With a new manager in place, they’re a little bit more physical,” he said

“They’re well-organised and they play a distinct style of play, so it’s going to be another challenge, but one that the boys will be well up for.

“Patrick has a distinct style of play that he’s played many times in the A-League at Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory, so we have a pretty good understanding of his style of football and in his two games in charge, that hasn’t changed.

“We know where their strengths are.

“They have a lot of good individuals and quality 10s and dribblers, but what we want to do is focus on the things we’re good at and less on what they’re good at.”

In terms of injury news, meanwhile, Griffiths confirmed that club skipper Adam Taggart may well come back into selection contention this weekend after returning to training this week and defender Josh Risdon could also be named in the matchday squad.

The likes of Tom Lawrence, Lachie Wales, Trent Ostler and Brandon O’Neill, however, remain sidelined.

Sydney FC will head into Round 25 looking to build on last weekend’s win over Western Sydney Wanderers and lock in a top-four finish.

Kisnorbo has overseen one draw and that derby victory since replacing Talay at the helm and the Sky Blues could yet finish as high as second should Auckland FC stumble in their final two games of the campaign.

The Sky Blues have actually won more games on the road (6) than they have at Allianz Stadium this season (5), but Glory have only managed four wins in 20 previous visits to the Moore Park venue.

In terms of standout performers this season, teenage midfielder Thiago Quintal has contributed five goals and three assists, goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares has kept a league-high ten clean sheets and boasts the highest save percentage with 80.8 and forward Victor Campuzano has recorded 22 shots on target, four of which have gone in.

Match Details

Isuzu UTE A-League 2025/26 Season Round 25

Sydney FC v Perth Glory

Allianz Stadium

Saturday 18 April 2026

Kick-off: 5:35pm WST

Sydney FC squad: 1. Gus HOEFSLOOT (GK), 4. Jordan COURTNEY-PERKINS, 6. Corey HOLLMAN, 7. Piero QUISPE, 8. Wataru KAMIJO, 9. Victor CAMPUZANO, 12. Harrison DEVENISH-MEARES (GK), 13. Pat WOOD, 16. Joel KING, 17. Ben GARUCCIO, 20. Tiago QUINTAL, 23. Rhyan GRANT (captain), 24. Paul OKON JNR, 29. Joe LACEY, 35. Al Hassan TOURE, 36. Rhys YOULLEY, 41. Alexandar POPOVIC, 44. Akol AKON, 70. Ahmet ARSLAN, 80. Apostolos STAMATELOSPOULOUS

(Two to be omitted)

Ins: 6. Corey HOLLMAN (promoted), 9. Victor CAMPUZANO (return from injury)

Outs: None

Unavailable: 5. Alex GRANT (hamstring), 10. Joe LOLLEY (ankle), 32. Marcel TISSERAND (hamstring)

Perth Glory Squad: 2.Charbel SHAMOON, 3.Sam SUTTON, 4.Scott WOOTTON, 7.Nicholas PENNINGTON, 9.Jaiden KUCHARSKI, 16.Gabriel POPOVIC, 17.Arion SULEMANI, 18.Luca TEVERE, 19.Josh RISDON, 22.Adam TAGGART (c), 23.Anthony DIDULICA, 24.Andriano LEBIB, 25.Sebastian DESPOTOVSKI, 27.Will FRENEY, 29.Matt SUTTON (gk), 30.Tadi KUZAMBA, 39.Giovanni DE ABREU, 40.Ryan WARNER (gk), 45.Brian KALTAK, 67.Stefan COLAKOVSKI

(Two to be omitted)

Ins: 19.Josh RISDON, 22.Adam TAGGART (c)

Outs: None

Unavailable: 6.Brandon O’NEILL (injured), 8.Callum TIMMINS (injured), 11.Lachlan WALES (injured), 13.Cameron COOK (gk) (injured), 20.Trent OSTLER (injured), 31.Joel ANASMO (injured), 34.Tom LAWRENCE (injured)

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