Glory ALW Head Coach Stephen Peters has insisted that his charges will not lack for motivation in Saturday’s showdown with Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium (kick-off at 12:15pm WST, watch live and FREE on 10Play).
Click HERE to view his full pre-match media conference
Their defeat against Canberra United a fortnight ago means that the women in purple retain only a very slim chance of the making the Finals as they now sit five points adrift of the top six with only two games left.
But Peters believes that there are plenty of other factors which will drive his side to go toe-to-toe with the Sky Blues who themselves also seem destined to miss out on the Finals.
“The Canberra loss was a tough one to take,” he said, “so to have a bit of time to reflect and refresh everybody was pretty good.
“I think we had an opportunity there to put the whole [Finals] situation somewhat in our own hands and we let that slip with a first-half performance which we’re not proud of.
“But I thought the second half was really good and we’ve just got to build on that now.
“This week’s an easy one to get up for because it’s Sydney FC who have a fantastic history in the competition.
“We’re playing at a big stadium in Allianz, we’re on the same points as them, so there are lots of things there that we can get motivated for.
“We want to chase that elusive first away win of the season and it’s our last chance to do that.”
The hosts have endured a campaign to forget by their own lofty standards and remain the lowest scorers in the competition.
Ante Juric’s side have, however, won their last three on the spin and Peters believes they are dangerous opponent.
“You can’t take them lightly,” he said, “and I think any team that has taken them lightly probably paid the price for that.
“They’ve still got a very strong team and a lot of those players have won various trophies for the club.
“Their recent form has been very good as well… I think there’s a bit of a renewed confidence in there.
“But we’re not going to help that; we’re going to go there and show what we’re capable of doing.
“I think if you look at Ante [Juric] as a player and he was a very good centre-back for Sydney Olympic, you can see that in his team.
“He likes to be organised and play that very pragmatic style at the back especially and I think they’ll be a tough opponent in that regard.
“But they’ve also got the quality to score goals.
“We’re looking at Mackenzie Hawkesby their top scorer and they can bring in Princess Ibini and Shea Connors and Millie Farrow off the bench, so it’s not bad!”
In terms of early team news, Glory’s Head Coach confirmed that versatile midfielder Ella Abdul Massih is poised to make a welcome return from injury, while Natalie Tathem will sadly be forced to undergo knee surgery this week after tearing her ACL against Canberra.
Glory and Sydney fought out a 1-1 draw when they met at the Sam Kerr Football Centre back in January and the Sky Blues have only managed to score more than two goals in a game on one occasion all season.
Hawkesby leads their goalscoring chart with six, while Ibini, Lucy Johnson and Indiana Dos Santos have each bagged three and at the back, Natalie Tobin, Jordan Thompson and Tori Tumeth have all been ever present.
Saturday will mark the 30th overall meeting between the two sides, with Glory having enjoyed just one victory in their last six clashes with the Sky Blues in NSW.
Match Details
Ninja A-League 2024/25 Season Round 22
Sydney FC v Perth Glory
Allianz Stadium
Saturday 12 April 2025
Kick-off: 12:15pm WST
Sydney FC squad: 2. Margaux CHAUVET, 3. Faye BRYSON, 4. Tori TUMETH, 6. Shay HOLLMAN, 7. Millie FARROW, 9. Shea CONNORS, 12. Natalie TOBIN, 13. Jasmine BLACK (GK), 14. Abbey LEMON, 15. Mackenzie HAWKESBY, 16. Jordan THOMPSON, 18. Amber LUCHTMEIJER, 20. Princess IBINI, 21. Lucy JOHNSON, 22. Indiana DOS SANTOS, 24. Caley TALLON-HENNIKER, 26. Maddie CASPERS, 28. Beth MASON-JONES (GK)
(Two to be omitted)
Ins: 2. Margaux CHAUVET (promoted), 18. Amber LUCHTMEIJER (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 5. Kirsty FENTON (knee), 8. Hana LOWRY (knee), 17. Kyah SIMON (calf)
Perth Glory squad: 1.Casey DUMONT (gk), 2.Mischa ANDERSON, 5.Grace JOHNSTON, 6.Tijan MCKENNA, 7.Megan WYNNE, 8.Georgia CASSIDY, 10.Susan PHONSONGKHAM, 13.Naomi CHINNAMA, 18.Izzy FOLETTA, 19.Sarah O’DONOGHUE, 20.Ella ABDUL MASSIH, 21.Miranda TEMPLEMAN (gk), 22.Ischia BROOKING, 23.Izzy DALTON (c), 25.Ella LINCOLN, 27.Charli WAINWRIGHT, 29.Onyinyechi ZOGG, 44.Kelli BROWN
(Two to be omitted)
Ins: 2.Mischa ANDERSON, 20.Ella ABDUL MASSIH, 22.Ischia BROOKING
Outs: 11.Natalie TATHEM
Unavailable: 9.Gabby HOLLAR (injured), 11.Natalie TATHEM (injured)
#ONEGlory
