Head Coach David Zdrilic is confident that his Glory side are well placed to kick-start their season when they take on reigning Champions and Premiers Central Coast Mariners in Gosford on Saturday (kick-off at 2pm WST, watch live and FREE on 10Play).
Watch his full pre-match media conference HERE
The men in purple were downed 2-0 by Wellington Phoenix last time out, but Zdrilic felt that they showed significant signs of improvement in that Round 2 fixture.
And he’s expecting his charges to take further steps forward at Industree Group Stadium this weekend.
“The group is now starting to come together in terms of the whole group having the fitness that we need,” he said.
“The squad that we’ll be taking [to Gosford] have had enough match minutes in them to be able to put out a very competitive performance.
“Last week, I thought we saw a big stride from the first game and I thought we should have got more out of that game, but we have to learn the lessons very quickly.
“I think the guys can see that… and we’ll be taking a positive outlook into this next game.
“The pre-season was very positive and we were very confident coming out of pre-season.
“But now we’ve had two games where we’ve had to learn the standard of the A-League very quickly.
“I’ve been in many situations where you lose one game, you lose two games, but then it turns around very quickly.
“The focus is always the next game.”
Like Glory, the Mariners are still searching for a first win of the campaign having drawn their opening two games, but Zdrilic is under no illusions as to the threat Mark Jackson’s side will pose as they look to secure a remarkable third successive Championship title.
“The Mariners fight for their results and in their first game against Victory, a very good team, they got a [positive] result,” he said.
“Then against Adelaide, they fought their way back into the game.
“They’ve got a lot of experience in Asia as well [as the A-League]… and they’re very comfortable playing in a system which is similar to what they played last year.
“So the coaching staff, now in their second season after having an excellent season last year and pretty much winning everything, have got a very positive and confident group.
“We’re expecting nothing less than a tough fight.”
Of the 54 overall meetings between the two clubs, Central Coast have won 24 to Glory’s 19, but the WA side have enjoyed the better fortune in recent times, losing just one of the last seven clashes.
In terms of comings and goings on the Coast during the off-season, Danny Vukovic, Josh Nisbet and Jacob Farrell were notable departures, while Brazilian forward Vitor Feijao and Olyroos defender Lucas Mauragis were among their higher-profile new arrivals.
Perth-born Socceroo Trent Sainsbury was also signed, but will miss Saturday’s game through injury.
Match Details
Isuzu UTE A-League 2024/25 Season Round 3
Central Coast Mariners v Perth Glory
Industree Group Stadium
Saturday 2 November 2024
Kick-off: 2:00pm WST (5:00pm Local)
Central Coast Mariners squad: 1 Adam PAVLESIC (gk), 3. Brian KALTAK, 8. Alfie McCALMONT, 9. Alou KUOL, 10. Mikael DOKA, 11. Vitor FEIJAO, 12. Lucas MAURAGIS, 15. Storm ROUX, 16. Harry STEELE, 17. Sabit NGOR, 24. Diesel HERRINGTON, 26. Bradley TAPP, 27. Sasha KUZEVSKI, 29. Nico DUARTE, 30. Jack WARSHAWSKY, 33. Nathan PAULL, 36. Haine EAMES, 37. Bailey BRANDTMAN, 40. Dylan PERAIC-CULLEN, 99. Ryan EDMONDSON
(Two to be omitted)
Ins: Nil
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 20. Trent SAINSBURY (injured)
Perth Glory squad: 1.Oli SAIL (gk), 3.Anas HAMZAOUI, 5.Lachlan BARR, 6.Brandon O’NEILL, 7.Nicholas PENNINGTON, 9.David WILLIAMS, 11.Hiroaki AOYAMA, 12.Taras GOMULKA, 13.Cameron COOK (gk), 14.Nathanael BLAIR, 15.Zach LISOLAJSKI, 16.Adam BUGARIJA, 17.Jarrod CARLUCCIO, 18.Cristian CAICEDO, 20.Trent OSTLER, 21.Abdul FAISAL, 22.Adam TAGGART (c), 24.Andriano LEBIB, 26.Khoa NGO, 33.Luis CANGA
(Two to be omitted)
Ins: 18.Cristian CAICEDO, 20.Trent OSTLER
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 8.Mustafa AMINI (injured), 10.Nikola MILEUSNIC (injured), 19.Josh RISDON (injured)
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