Roll on Sunday!
That was the message from both Head Coach Tony Popovic and goalkeeper Liam Reddy when they fronted the media ahead of Sunday’s season-opener against Western Sydney Wanderers at nib Stadium.
The re-shaped Glory squad have been hard at it throughout a marathon pre-season campaign and the Round 1 clash can’t come soon enough for former Wanderers man Reddy.
“Pre-season has been long, but really good,” he said. “Everyone’s really bought into what Popa and his coaching staff have introduced and the boys can’t wait for Sunday.
“We’re going to be a lot fitter and hungrier this year. We train at a high intensity and we’re looking to play at that same intensity.
“We’re sick of trying to come fifth or sixth and that’s everyone in the club, from the players and coaches right through to the office staff.
“Everyone has lifted their standards, there’s a really good feeling around the club and hopefully we can get off to a good start.”
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268486001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5850696893001
Popovic, meanwhile, confirmed that he is fully aware of how much a first-up victory would mean to the Glory faithful.
“I really want to see our fans go home with renewed optimism following a performance that they’re proud of and want to see more of,” he said.
“This game means a lot to the players and the club. The players have worked extremely hard, they are feeling positive and now it’s about putting together a performance on Sunday that gives us a chance of getting the three points.
“It’s hard to predict how the game will go, but I’m confident from what I’ve seen in pre-season that we can perform in front of our members and fans and get off to a very good start.”
The man who famously led Wanderers to the 2014 Asian Champions League title went on to confirm that the affection he feels for his former club will be very much set aside until the hostilities are over at nib Stadium.
“Western Sydney will always be a special club to me, but they won’t be special to me during the game,” he said.
“We’ve seen a few of their [Western Sydney’s] games in the [FFA] Cup. They are also getting to understand how a new manager wants them to play, but I know some of the players that are there and the quality that they have in that dressing room.
“We are expecting a real tough game.”
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268486001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5850704691001
Glory will be out to defend a six-game unbeaten home record against Wanderers that dates back to 2014 and a similarly strong five-game unbeaten run of home Round One games.
Last year saw the NSW visit nib Stadium just once and Diego Castro took centre stage by scoring twice as the men in purple ran out 3-1 winners. Andy Keogh also found the net for Glory that day, with Oriol Riera replying for the visitors, one of 15 goals that the Spaniard scored in a stellar debut Hyundai A-League season.
That thrilling Round 18 clash typified a trend of free-scoring games between the two sides which has seen just one clean sheet kept in the last eight meetings.
It’s shaping up to be another cracker on Sunday, so make sure you grab your ticket HERE or your Glory membership HERE.
Match Details
Sunday, 21 October 2018
Perth Glory v Western Sydney Wanderers FC
nib Stadium, Perth
Kick-Off: 4:00PM (Local) (7:00PM(AEDT))
Referee: Peter Green
Assistant Referee 1: Josh Mannella
Assistant Referee 2: Arvin Shanmuganathan
Fourth Official: Adam Fielding
VAR: Kris Griffiths-Jones
Radio Broadcast: myfootballnation.com (6PR, SRN and SEN+). ABC News Radio, Grandstand Digital, Online & via the ABC Listen App – A-League Live.
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #PERvWSW
Perth Glory squad: 1.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 2.Alex GRANT, 3.Jason DAVIDSON, 4.Shane LOWRY (c), 5.Ivan FRANJIC, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Joel CHIANESE, 9.Andy KEOGH, 13.Matthew SPIRANOVIC, 15.Brandon WILSON, 16.Tomislav MRCELA, 19.Chris IKONOMIDIS, 20.Jake BRIMMER, 22.Fabio FERREIRA, 23.Scott NEVILLE, 27.Juande, 33.Liam REDDY (gk), 88.Neil KILKENNY
**two to be omitted**
Unavailable: 11.Brendon SANTALAB (hamstring – 1-2 weeks), 14.Chris HAROLD (illness – 1 week), 17.Diego CASTRO (hamstring – 1-2 weeks), 21.Jacob ITALIANO (knee – 1-2 weeks), 25.Walter SCOTT (international duty)
Western Sydney Wanderers FC squad: 1.Danijel NIZIC (gk), 4.Josh RISDON, 5.Brendan HAMILL (c), 7.Nick FITZGERALD, 8.Jordan O’DOHERTY, 9.Oriol RIERA, 10.Alexander BAUMJOHANN, 11.Bruce KAMAU, 12.Ruon TONGYIK, 16.Jaushua SOTIRIO, 17.Keanu BACCUS, 20.Vedran JANJETOVIC (gk), 21.Tarek ELRICH, 22.Rashid MAHAZI, 23.Lachlan SCOTT, 24.Raul LLORENTE, 28.Roly BONEVACIA, 49.Abraham MAJOK
**two to be omitted**
Unavailable: 6.Kosta GROZOS (international duty), 13.Tass MOURDOUKOUTAS (international duty), 18. Marc TOKICH (international duty), 19.Mark BRIDGE (injury – 6 weeks), 32.John ROBERTS (international duty), 33.Tate RUSSELL (international duty), 34.Patrick ZIEGLER (injury – 2 weeks)
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