They were runaway premiers and worthy champions last season and have made a strong start to the new campaign with two wins and a draw in the opening three rounds.
But with Glory also in confident mood following last week’s win over the Mariners, Head Coach Kenny Lowe is relishing Friday’s trip to Allianz Stadium to take on Sydney FC.
“They [Sydney FC] were the best team in the country last season and they still are,” he said.
“They’re a super team, very well coached and it’ll be a tough game, but one that we’re really, really looking forward to.
“I love going there. I don’t love getting beaten by them, but it’s a great place to go and they play the game the right way. We’re game and we’re looking forward to it.”
Lowe went on to express his satisfaction at how strongly his charges have performed in the latter stages of each of their three games so far this term, before suggesting that they will have to adopt a different tactical approach on Friday to that which was employed in last week’s 2-1 win over Central Coast.
“We keep saying that we’re a little bit underdone, but we keep finishing games really well, so if we keep doing that we’re always going to be in the game,” he said.
“And I’m sure that’ll be the case again this week.
“We probably went back to front too often last week. We’ll have to be a bit more cultured and creative against Sydney and have a little more craft and guile, but we have that in our locker.”
In terms of his team selection, meanwhile, Lowe confirmed that Mitch Nichols is set to feature in the match day squad having completed his four-game suspension and admitted that he has some tough decisions to make in terms of which players to leave out.
“Mitch will definitely be involved, he’ll play some part,” he said. “He’s a quality player who is intelligent and understands the game.
“We have our three lads with long-term injuries who are still out, but otherwise, everyone’s available.”
Glory will be seeking a first win at Allianz Stadium since Round 19 of the 2015-16 season when goals from Chris Harold and Andy Keogh proved enough to seal the points.
Keogh was also on target when Glory beat the Sky Blues by the same 2-1 scoreline in Round 9 of the 2014-15 campaign, with Rostyn Griffiths bagging the other goal as the visitors came from behind to snatch a dramatic victory.
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Match Details
Friday, 27 October 2017
Sydney FC v Perth Glory
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Kick-Off: 4:50 PM (WST)
Referee: Shaun Evans
Assistant Referee 1: Owen Goldrick
Assistant Referee 2: Greg Taylor
Fourth Official: Adrian Arndt
Video Assistant Referee: Strebre Delovski
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 501 from 4:30pm (WST) and Sky Sport 3 (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast: ABC Sydney, ABC NSW, Grandstand Digital, Online & via the ABC Listen App – A-League Live.
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #SYDvPER
To purchase tickets please visit www.a-league.com.au/tickets
Sydney FC Squad: 1.Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 4.Alex WILKINSON, 5.Jordy BUIJS, 6.Josh BRILLANTE, 7.Michael ZULLO, 8.Paulo RETRE, 9.BOBÔ, 10.Milos NINKOVIC, 11.Adrian MIERZEJEWSKI, 13.Brandon O’NEILL, 14.Alex BROSQUE (c), 16.Anthony KALIK, 17.David CARNEY, 18.Matt SIMON, 20.Alex CISAK (gk), 22.Seb RYALL, 26.Luke WILKSHIRE, 30.Tom HEWARD-BELLE (gk)
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 11.Adrian MIERZEJEWSKI (return from injury), 20.Alex CISAK (gk) (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 21.Charles LOKOLINGOY (hamstring – 1 week), 23.Rhyan GRANT (knee – indefinite)
Perth Glory Squad: 2.Alex GRANT, 4.Shane LOWRY, 5.Jacob POSCOLIERO, 6.Mitch NICHOLS, 8.Xavi TORRES, 9.Andy KEOGH (c), 13 Nick FEELY (gk), 14.Chris HAROLD, 15.Brandon WILSON, 16.Joseph MILLS, 17.Diego CASTRO, 18. Andreu GUERAO 19.Joe KNOWLES, 20.Jake BRIMMER, 22.Adam TAGGART, 23.Scott NEVILLE, 29.Jeremy WALKER, 33.Liam REDDY (gk)
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 2.Alex GRANT (promoted), 6.Mitch NICHOLS (returns from suspension)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 25.Daniel STYNES (hamstring 6-8 weeks), 7.Joel CHIANESE (collar bone – 6-8 weeks), 3.Marc WARREN (ankle 8-10 weeks)
