Head Coach Bobby Despotovski is expecting more fireworks when Glory lock horns with old rivals Canberra United in Thursday’s Westfield W-League clash at Dorrien Gardens (Kick off: 5.30pm).
The last two meetings between the two clubs have produced a pair of incredible 4-4 draws, the most recent of which saw Glory stage a remarkable recovery to snatch a point having trailed 4-1 with only ten players on the field and less than ten minutes left in this term’s Round 2 fixture at McKellar Park.
And with Glory now needing a win to shore up their position in the top four and United desperate for points to keep their own finals challenge alive, Despotovski feels that another thriller could well be on the cards.
“It’s an absolutely crucial game for ourselves and Canberra,” he said.
“Both teams really have to go for it and make it happen and with so much at stake, it could well be another thriller.
“It’s going to be a very hard game as it always is against Canberra and we’ll need to be at our very best in order to win it.”
Glory will be looking to bounce back from a narrow defeat at the hands of ladder leaders Melbourne Victory last time out and while disappointed at the controversial nature of Victory’s winning goal, Despotovski refused to use it as an excuse for what was his side’s first defeat of the campaign.
“We didn’t work hard enough to get anything out of the Victory game,” he said.
“The second goal shouldn’t have stood and the officials have let us down there, but we weren’t good enough on the day.
“Now we have a great chance to get back on track on Thursday and I’m sure our fantastic members and fans will turn out in force to help get the girls over the line. It should be a fantastic atmosphere at Dorrien and a great game.”
Canberra, meanwhile, will head west sitting in seventh spot, four points adrift of the top four.
They were held to a 1-1 draw by Brisbane Roar last time out, but have lost just once since Round 4 and boast a seven-game unbeaten run against Glory that stretches back to October 2014.
You can grab your tickets to the game HERE.
Match Details
Westfield W-League 2018/19 – Round 10
Thursday, 3 January 2019
Perth Glory v Canberra United
Venue: Dorrien Gardens, Perth
Kick-Off: 5:30PM (Local) (8:30PM (AEDT))
Referee: Casey Reibelt
Assistant Referee 1: Arvin Shanmuganathan
Assistant Referee 2: Josh Mannella
Fourth Official: Shane Skinner
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash tag #PERvCBR
Perth Glory squad: 1.Eliza CAMPBELL (gk), 3.Kim CARROLL, 4.Alyssa MAUTZ , 5.Shannon MAY, 7.Nicole STANTON , 9.Rachel HILL, 10.Jacynta GALABADAARACHCHI, 11.Leticia McKENNA , 12.Jenna ONIONS, 13.Jamie-Lee GALE, 15.Alexia MORENO, 20.Sam KERR (c), 21.Morgan AQUINO (gk) 22.Abbey GREEN, 24.Natasha RIGBY, 25.Katie NAUGHTON
**one to be omitted**
Ins: 15.Alexia MORENO (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: Nil
Canberra United squad: 1.Melissa MAIZELS (gk), 2.Laura HUGHES, 4.Rachel CORSIE (c), 5.Nikola ORGILL, 6.Refiloe JANE, 8.Olivia PRICE, 9.Rhoda MULAUDZI, 12.Lauren KEIR, 13.Meaghan MCELLIGOTT, 14.Ashleigh SYKES, 16.Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 17.Maddy WHITTALL, 18.Taren KING, 19.Nickoletta FLANNERY, 20.Shamiran KHAMIS (gk), 21.Ellie CARPENTER, 23.Maria JOSE ROJAS
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 13.Meaghan MCELLIGOTT (Promoted), 17.Maddy WHITTALL (Promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 3.Natasha PRIOR (Head – Season), 7.Aoife COLVILL (Foot – 1-2 Weeks)
#OneGlory
