Head Coach Stephen Peters believes that better focus is the key to Glory overcoming Canberra United in Saturday’s ALW Round 4 clash at McKellar Park (kick-off at 1pm WST, watch live and FREE on 10.com.au).
Click HERE to watch Stephen’s full pre-match media conference.
The women in purple have looked the better side for long periods in each of their three games this term, but have been unable to translate those performances into points in the last two.
And Peters is confident that staying switched on will ensure his charges can repeat their opening day victory against Western Sydney Wanderers.
“The result [Saturday’s 2-0 defeat against Sydney FC] was disappointing, as were the lapses we’re having,” he said.
“There was some concentration stuff… but the positives were that we had a good level of possession and there were good parts of the game that we controlled.
“We’ve just got to capitalise on what we’re doing well and manage those moments when we’re up against it better.
“We’ve just got to concentrate on ourselves.
“There’s a lot of good stuff that we’re doing.
“We’ve won the possession stat in all three games so far, we’ve created good chances and scored five goals.
“So we’ve got to be positive.
“I think we’re growing and hopefully that continues.”
Saturday’s opponents, meanwhile, will head into Round 4 still looking for their first win of the season having been edged out by Newcastle Jets and Adelaide United either side of an away draw with Wellington Phoenix.
But United have proved troublesome opponents for Glory over the years, to the extent that the WA side have won only once in 15 visit to the nation’s capital and Peters is certainly not underestimating the size of the challenge ahead.
“I think with the exception of their first game, they’ve been quite sturdy,” he said.
“In that first game, I thought they controlled possession quite well and I felt like they probably should have won it.
“They had a good result against Wellington and then last week they didn’t look themselves, but it was a trip to Adelaide off the back of a trip to Wellington, so I can empathise a little bit there.
“But they’re back at McKellar this week and we know exactly what they’re like at McKellar; they’re a very good team there and win a lot of matches, so we’re going to have to be on our game.”
While Canberra’s headline act undoubtedly remains ALW legend Michelle Heyman, Glory’s Head Coach is keenly aware of the other threats in their ranks.
“Heyman is quality and you’ve got to pay credit to her for playing at that level for as long as she has consistently,” he said.
“It’s great that she’s back in the Matildas fold and staying there.
“We’ve obviously got to be on high alert for her, but they have other players who can hurt you, like [Mary] Stanic-Floody, [Bethany] Gordon and [Kiara] De Domizio who scored a nice goal last week.
“You definitely have to be on guard as they are not just a one-player team.
“Michelle takes a lot of attention which can free up other players and we’ve got to be ready for them across the park.”
In terms of injury news, meanwhile, Peters reported that beyond long-term absentees Megan Wynne, Natalie Tathem and Ella Abdul Massih, the squad is travelling reasonably well.
“Georgia Cassidy is back in full training,” he said, “so she’s put her name forward for selection and whether we look at that will depend on how she pulls up.
“The rest is just a little bit of managing stuff; there’s nothing serious.”
Meetings between Glory and United have rarely failed to deliver on the goals front, with the last 18 yielding an aggregate of 72 scored for an average of four per game.
Home skipper Heyman has helped herself to a fair share of those, including one in Canberra’s victory at the Sam Kerr Football Centre last season and the 37-year-old shows no sign of slowing down.
The competition’s all-time record goalscorer and appearances holder has already claimed a goal and an assist this season and continues to link up to good effect with highly-rated teenager Stanic-Floody.
Former Glory ‘keeper Sally James is also expected to start for the hosts, as is American midfielder Josie Aulicino who has made a seamless transition to life in the ALW having previously impressed for Box Hill United in the Victorian NPLW.
Match Details
Ninja A-League 2025/26 Season Round 4
Canberra United v Perth Glory
McKellar Park
Saturday 22 November 2025
Kick-off: 1pm WST
#ONEGlory
ALW Match Preview: Concentration the key to a Canberra K.O. says Peters
