A fitting finale

Perth Glory Women will be gunning for back to back wins for the first time this season when they tackle Melbourne Victory in the final round of the Westfield W-League season.

The Glory disposed of reigning champions Brisbane Roar last Saturday, the Queensland team-s first loss in 18 matches, and will be looking to claim another high profile scalp in the Victory.

While Perth is out of finals calculations they can still influence the outcome of the final four with Melbourne needing at least a draw to guarantee their positions in the play-offs.

“We are looking to finish on another positive this Saturday, back to back wins would be a great reward for the whole team” said Glory head coach John Gibson.

“We played them in the first game of the season and we are looking to avenge that loss as we did against the Roar.”

US import Alex Singer has been consistently one of the best players on the park for the Glory and Gibson has been delighted with her impact on the team.

“The introduction of Alex Singer to the squad has been fantastic. She has added something different to the team and has been one of our most consistent performers.”

“We have chatted to her about playing in the next W-League season and would love to have her back but it would depend on her circumstances next year. She is certainly one of the players we will be looking to recruit back and we will make some decisions after our post season review” he said.

The mood has been buoyant on the training track following the impressive victory over the Roar, a game in which the Glory more than held their own despite some of the media reports suggesting the visitors dominated the match.

“The whole squad was pretty happy this week with the result against the Roar, and deservedly so, they have worked pretty hard over the season and deserve a little bit of fortune that comes their way.”

“It was quite interesting reading the stats, the Roar had a lot more opportunities but didn-t create much, and they didn-t have clear cut chances. Emma (Wirkus) made one class save but overall they didn-t create much and were frustrated by our defence. We were really well organised, and it shows that we can match it with anybody on our day” Gibson said.

Perth is already guaranteed to finish at least one place higher than their inaugural campaign and the squad is determined to better last season-s points tally and their win-loss record.

“The draw is more difficult than season one, but we definitely want more points than last year which is important for the girls and is one of the goals we have set for ourselves.”

“We can compete with the best in the country over long periods of time, I would give the side above pass for the season so far and depending on the result this weekend maybe even higher” concluded Gibson.

The match kicks off at 5.15pm and is a double header with the Perth Glory Youth team, which kick off proceedings at 3.00pm against the Brisbane Roar.

Westfield W-League Rd 10

Perth Glory v Melbourne Victory
Saturday, 5 December 2009 at Clipsal Stadium, Perth

Local kick-off: 5.15pm WST (8.15pm AEDT)
Referee: Lee Corey

Perth Glory squad: 1. Emma WIRKUS (GK), 3. Carys HAWKINS, 4. Sam KERR, 5. Shannon MAY, 6. Ella MASTRANTONIO, 8. Tanya OXTOBY (C), 9. Dani CALAUTTI, 11. Lisa DE VANNA, 12. Katie GILL, 13. Elisa D-OVIDIO, 15. Alex SINGER, 16. Sadie LAWRENCE, 17. Marianna TABAIN, 18. Ellis GLANFIELD, 19. Katarina JUKIC, 20. Zoe PALANDRI
*one to be omitted*

In: Lisa DE VANNA (return from suspension)

Out: Nil

Unavailable: Collette McCALLUM (ankle – season), Ciara CONWAY (knee – season)

Melbourne Victory squad: 1. Melissa BARBIERI (gk), 2. Vedrana POPOVIC, 3. Marlies OOSTDAM, 4. Tal KARP, 5. Laura ALLEWAY, 6. Maika RUYTER-HOOLEY, 8. Katie THORLAKSON, 9. Stephanie CATLEY, 10. Deanna NICESKI, 11. Julianne SITCH, 12. Monnique HANSEN KOFOED, 13. Katrina GORRY, 14. Selin KURALAY, 18. Ursula HUGHSON, 20. Nicole PAUL (gk)

In: Nil

Out: Nil

Unavailable: Nil