More than three points will be at stake this Sunday with Perth Glory and Gold Coast United also fighting for the ‘Iron Ore Cup’.
More than three points will be at stake this Sunday with Perth Glory and Gold Coast United also fighting for the ‘Iron Ore Cup-.
The trophy was born last season, in recognition of both club-s owners key involvement in the mining industry.
Mr Tony Sage and Mr Clive Palmer are mining magnates and the rivalry will continue on the field with Perth Glory aiming to wrestle back the trophy.
“We-ve had a great start to the season and lets hope in continues at home with another big crowd and a win over Clive,” Perth Glory Chairman Tony Sage said.
It-s been an unusual start to the season for Gold Coast with Miron Bleiberg-s team having two byes in the first five weeks.
In that time star striker Shane Smeltz has left the club but he has been replaced by Qantas Socceroo Bruce Djite, who is expected to make his debut at nib Stadium.
“Football-wise, he’s completely different type of player to Shane,” Bleiberg said.
“We have to adapt to Bruce, he’s stronger than Shane, I’d say he’s even quicker than Shane, more physical than Shane.
“I’m not the type of coach to force the system on my players. We will have to play different football, but if Shane scored 19 last season and this season it is five goals each to Bruce, Joel Porter, Tahj Minniecon and James Brown it will be 20 goals, one goal better than Shane!”
Bleiberg is also confident Djite-s overseas travels will bring new knowledge and a new perspective on football to the dressing room.
“Having playing in Europe, having already two years in the Hyundai A-League behind him, being 23, being in the Qantas Socceroos, I believe that he will bring a bit of experience and be a relatively old head compared to the youngsters that we have and that is exactly what we need,” he said.
“Maybe the combination Djite and Porter will be better than Smeltz and Porter, time will tell.”
