Glory Head Coach David Zdrilic is expecting his side to be subjected to a tough physical test when they face in-form Western United at Ironbark Fields on Saturday (kick-off at 3pm WST, watch live on Paramount+).
Click HERE to view his full pre-match media conference
The hosts will head into the Round 25 clash brimming with confidence having won their last four games on the bounce, scoring 16 goals in the process.
But Zdrilic believes that Glory can draw some encouragement from their two previous meetings with John Aloisi’s side this term.
“If you remember the last game we played against them here [in Perth], we certainly matched them and we were winning in injury-time and ended up losing that game,” he said.
“So we know we have to physically match them.
“They’re a very strong side, they can score goals from anywhere, they’ve got good transition and they press well.
“We know we have to match them and we’ve done it twice.
“Even in Sydney [in United Round] we were 1-0 up until the 60th minute.
“So we have to keep playing the way we’ve been playing, but manage the moments better.
“If we keep creating chances, at some point, the goals are going to start going in.
“The lads have been training well and we’re ready to go.”
Glory’s most recent outing saw them go down 3-1 to Central Coast Mariners in Gosford, but the Head Coach felt that the scoreline in no way reflected the nature of the game.
“I haven’t really spoken a lot about statistics,” he said, “but in this game it was clear that we had more of the ball, created the better chances and more chances and didn’t convert.
“And the flow of the game went against us because even though they had minimal chances, they were clinical.
“Apart from that, the guys approached the game in the right way.
“Even at half-time, they came in and it was all positive.
“The reaction after the last game was what you wanted to see and the performance was there, but the result wasn’t… and that’s what makes it frustrating for myself and for the boys.”
Following the weekend trip to Tarneit, Glory will have just three games of the regular season left to play and Zdrilic is keenly aware of how tough a year it has been for the club’s Members and fans.
“It’s not a nice thing to be in this position and as a coach, the pressure is always there, especially in a situation like this,” he said.
“And so it should be.
“That’s the game that we’re in.
“Fans want to see a winning team and they express their frustration.
“I’m not saying I’m immune to it, but I look at the bigger picture… and the amount of things that have changed is not evident right now because of the results, but it will be.
“In the A-League, you have teams that have years like this and the next year they end up being [really strong].
“Melbourne Victory have had it, Western United have done it this year and Macarthur are the same.
“It’s the way it goes, especially when you’re transitioning.
“I understand the frustration of the fans, it’s normal and the way it is all around the world, but I just cope with it by focusing on the next game.”
In terms of early team news, Zdrilic confirmed that Lachie Wales, Zach Lisolajski and Takuya Okamoto will all miss the trip to Victoria due to injury, but that midfielder Luke Amos is set to feature despite being withdrawn at half-time against the Mariners.
As for Western, after an indifferent start to the season, they really hit their straps in mid-December and have won 10 of their last 14 games to surge up to second in the table.
Spearheading that charge have been strike duo Noah Botic and Hiroshi Ibusuki who have scored 11 and 9 goals respectively, with the former boasting an incredible record of seven goals in eight ALM appearances against Glory.
Fellow-Japanese import Riku Danzaki has also been a key contributor for United, chipping in with four goals and six assists, goalkeeper Matthew Sutton has made 62 saves and kept four clean sheets and Angus Thurgate has again been one of the competition’s most influential central midfielders.
Saturday will mark the 15th meeting between the two sides, with Glory looking to snap a run of six straight defats in the fixture by securing what would be the club’s first ever away win over the men in green and black.
Match Details
Isuzu UTE A-League 2024-25 Season Round 25
Western United v Perth Glory
Ironbark Fields
Saturday 5 April 2025
Kick-off: 3pm WST
Western United squad: 4. James DONACHIE, 6. Tomoki IMAI, 7. Ramy NAJJARINE, 9. Hiroshi IBUSUKI, 10. Matthew GRIMALDI, 13. Tate RUSSELL, 14. Jake NAJDOVSKI, 17. Ben GARUCCIO (c), 19. Noah BOTIC, 21. Sebastian PASQUALI, 23. Rhys BOZINOVSKI, 24. Michael RUHS, 29. Charbel SHAMOON, 30. Dylan LEONARD, 32. Angus THURGATE, 33. Matt SUTTON (gk), 37. Luke VICKERY, 44. Jordan LAUTON, 70. Michael VONJA (gk), 77. Riku DANZAKI
(Two to be omitted)
Ins: 17. Ben GARUCCIO (returns from injury), 21. Sebastian PASQUALI
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 20. Abel WALATEE (injured)
Perth Glory squad: 1.Oli SAIL (gk), 3.Anas HAMZAOUI, 4.Tass MOURDOUKOUTAS, 7.Nicholas PENNINGTON, 10.Nikola MILEUSNIC, 12.Taras GOMULKA, 13.Cameron COOK (gk), 14.Nathanael BLAIR, 16.Adam BUGARIJA, 17.Yuto MISAO, 19.Josh RISDON, 20.Trent OSTLER, 21.Luke AMOS, 22.Adam TAGGART, 23.Patrick WOOD, 25.Jaylan PEARMAN, 26.Khoa NGO, 27.Will FRENEY, 28.Kaelan MAJEKODUNMI, 29.Tomi MRCELA
(Two to be omitted)
Ins: 3.Anas HAMZAOUI, 28.Kaelan MAJEKODUNMI
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 9.David WILLIAMS (injured), 15.Zach LISOLAJSKI (injured), 18.Lachie WALES (injured), 24.Andriano LEBIB (injured), 36.Takuya OKAMOTO (injured)
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