Defender Jessika Cowart believes that the Glory squad need to repay the faith of the Members and fans when they take on Melbourne City at Macedonia Park on Sunday (kick-off at 3pm, tickets available HERE).
View her full pre-match interview HERE.
The women in purple will be looking to upset the title-chasing visitors in what will be their final game of the Liberty A-League 2023/24 campaign.
And Cowart is adamant that they are determined to end their recent poor run of form by producing a repeat of their 3-1 victory over City back in Round 7.
“We still have a lot to play for,” she said.
“We need to prove to ourselves, the fans and the community that we can still play good football.
“The message this week in training has been really positive;
it’s about keeping our heads in the game, mentally and physically and making sure we’re ready for Sunday.
“Every time we play in front of them [the home Members and fans], we owe them a good performance.
“With it being our last game, it’s important to give them something to take away from the season.”
The US import has been one of Glory’s standout performers in what has been her first year in the ALW and while naturally disappointed not to be preparing for Finals, she has relished the experience.
“It’s definitely been eye-opening,” she said.
“I love Australia and I love the league.
“I’ve found it to be very, very competitive and more than I could have asked for.
“Obviously with the longer season, this is the most amount of games that I’ve played in a season and I’ve found some good and some bad with that.
“I’ve had to navigate those challenges that come with 22 games, but overall it’s been such a positive experience and I’m glad that I got the opportunity to play in this league.”
Subject to selection, Cowart will make it 22 starts for the season on Sunday and she is expecting second-placed City to provide a stern test.
“They’re really in form right now and are playing some really, really good matches,” she said.
“They have some huge firepower in that team… and they also have a lot to play for.
“But we have just as much, if not more, to prove and we’ll be going out looking to play a really good game this weekend.
“We can draw confidence from our last two matches.
“We’ve played much better than we did in the previous nine, so I think there’s confidence from a lot of different pieces of the puzzle.”
By the time the game kicks off at Macedonia Park, Melbourne City will know if they can be crowned Premiers or not as current leaders Sydney FC will have completed their home clash with Melbourne Victory.
Should the Sky Blues fail to secure three points, a win for City would see them claim the title.
Dario Vidosic’s side have lost just one of their last six games and boast one of the competition’s most dangerous strikers in the form of New Zealand international Hannah Wilkinson who has bagged nine goals this term.
US import Emina Ekic, meanwhile, has found the net seven times and added three assists, while Daniela Galic has posted six and four in the respective goals and assists columns.
Glory have won the last two meetings between the two sides to end a run of five straight defeats against the Victorians.
Match Details
Liberty A-League 2023/24 Season Round 22
Perth Glory v Melbourne City
Macedonia Park
Sunday 31 March 2024
Kick-off: 3:00pm WST
Referee: Isabella Mossin
Perth Glory squad: 1.Morgan AQUINO (GK), 3.Jessika COWART, 4.Natasha RIGBY (c), 7.Liz ANTON, 8.Hana LOWRY, 9.Millie FARROW, 10.Susan PHONSONGKHAM, 11.Grace JALE, 12.Sofia SAKALIS, 13.Sarah CAIN, 17.Abbey GREEN, 18.Sadie LAWRENCE, 19.Izzy FOLETTA, 20.Quinley QUEZADA, 22.Claudia MIHOCIC, 23.Isobel DALTON, 24.Sally JAMES (GK), 27.Georgia CASSIDY, 31.Clara HOARAU
Three to be omitted
Ins: 12.Sofia SAKALIS, 17.Abbey GREEN, 22.Claudia MIHOCIC
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 16.Isabella WALLHEAD (injured), 25.Grace JOHNSTON (injured)
Melbourne City squad: 2. Leia VARLEY, 3. Naomi CHINNAMA, 5. Taylor OTTO, 6. Leticia McKENNA, 7. Julia GROSSO, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 11. Emina EKIC, 12. Shelby McMAHON, 13. Rebekah STOTT, 14. Laura HUGHES, 15. Kiera MEYERS, 6. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 17. Hannah WILKINSON, 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 19. Tijan McKENNA, 21. Isabella ACCARDO, 22. Bryleeh HENRY, 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 24. Daniela GALIC, 88. BÁRBARA (GK)
Ins: 2. Leia VARLEY, 15. Kiera MEYERS, 19. Tijan McKENNA, 21. Isabella ACCARDO (all promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 1. Sophia VARLEY (ankle), 9. Holly McNAMARA (ACL)
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