Perth Glory’s Westfield W-League side will head into Saturday’s first home game of the season at Dorrien Gardens exuding an air of quiet confidence after securing two points from tough away trips to Brisbane Roar and Canberra United.
Bobby Despotovski’s charges came close to securing a first-up win at Brisbane, eventually being pegged back by a very late goal, while at Canberra, they mounted an incredible comeback to secure a remarkable 4-4 draw.
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Western Sydney Wanderers will provide the opposition this weekend and Despotovski feels that the squad are in a good place as they look to avenge last season’s final-round defeat at the hands of the red-and-blacks.
“We’ll have to be at our best to get the win,” he said.
“We’ve been working on a couple of things that myself and [Assistant Coach] Jessine [Bonzas] noticed when we watched the [Canberra] game back.
“We’ve also had a look at what Western Sydney do well and what they’re not so good at and will be looking targeting them in certain ways.
“I’m expecting a big crowd and a good game at Dorrien which is our home and somewhere the girls love playing at.
“I’m pretty happy with where we’re at. It was disappointing conceding a goal in the 88th minute at Brisbane, but would we have taken a point before the game? Yes we would.
“Then against Canberra we found ourselves 4-1 down with eight minutes to go, so to come back and push all the way showed great character.
“They were two tough trips with the girls having to change ‘planes etc, so I think they deserve praise for those two results.”
In terms of early team news, Glory will be forced to make a defensive change as Sarah Carroll will be unavailable through suspension following the red card she received at Canberra.
Jacynta Galabadaarachchi’s debut for the club will also be delayed after the teenage attacking midfielder suffered an ankle ligament injury in training.
Fellow-youngsters Leticia McKenna and Jenna Onions, however, are both pressing for starts after coming off the bench to great effect against Canberra, while midfielder Alyssa Mautz will be looking to hit the target for a third time in as many games since starting her second spell in purple.
Skipper Sam Kerr is also set to feature after her midweek exertions with the Matildas.
Wanderers, meanwhile, will travel West searching for their first points of the campaign having suffered back-to-back defeats against Sydney FC and Brisbane Roar.
They have also won on only one of their last five visits to Perth, but do boast a number of quality performers including goalkeeper Jada Whyman, former Matildas midfielder Kylie Ledbrook and highly-rated American import, Lo’eau LaBonta.
Kick off at Dorrien Gardens is at 7pm and you can grab your tickets HERE or your bargain W-League membership HERE.
Match Details
Westfield W-League 2018/19 Season Round3
Perth Glory v Western Sydney Wanderers FC
Dorrien Gardens
Referee: Rachel Mitchenson
Assistant Referee 1: Arvin Shanmuganathan
Assistant Referee 2: Adrien Liechti
Fourth Official: Josh Mannella
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Perth Glory squad: 1.Eliza CAMPBELL (gk), 3.Kim CARROLL, 4.Alyssa MAUTZ, 5.Shannon MAY, 6.Abbey MEAKINS, 7.Nicole STANTON , 8. Grace HENRY, 9.Rachel HILL, 11.Leticia MCKENNA , 12.Jenna ONIONS, 14.Caitlin DOEGLAS, 15.Alexia MORENO, 18. Isabella FOLETTA, 20.Sam KERR (c), 23.Stacey CAVILL (gk), 24.Natasha RIGBY, 25.Katie NAUGHTON
**Two to be omitted**
Ins: 18. Isabella FOLETTA (promoted) 15.Alexia MORENO (promoted) 8. Grace HENRY (promoted)
Outs: 2.Sarah CARROLL (suspended – 1 week)
Unavailable: Nil
Western Sydney Wanderers FC squad: 1.Jada WHYMAN (gk), 2.Caitlin COOPER, 4.Maruschka WALDUS, 5.Rachel LOWE, 6.Servet UZUNLAR (c), 7.Lo’eau LABONTA, 8.Erica HALLOWAY, 9.Remy SIEMSEN, 10.Kylie LEDBROOK, 12.Susan PHONSONGKHAM, 13.Georgia YEOMAN-DALE, 14.Courtney NEVIN, 15.Talitha KRAMER, 16.Liana DANASKOS, 17.Sydney MIRAMONTEZ, 19.Leena KHAMIS, 30.Nicole SIMONSEN (gk)
Ins: 4.Maruschka WALDUS (promoted), 12.Susan PHONSONGKHAM (promoted),, 16.Liana DANASKOS (promoted),
Outs: 20.Caitlin JARVIE (not selected)
Unavailable: Nil
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