Perth Glory recruit Frank Juric has been given the nod to start in goal when the club kicks off their season on Sunday against Adelaide at Hindmarsh Stadium.
Perth Glory recruit Frank Juric has been given the nod to start in goal when the club kicks off their season on Sunday against Adelaide at Hindmarsh Stadium.
Juric returned to Australia for the 2008/09 Hyundai A-League season after a decade in the German Bundesliga where he experienced the highest levels in European football including lining up for Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League against the likes of Manchester United and Greek giants Olympiacos.
Both Juric and long time Glory custodian have battled for the number one spot throughout pre-season, in the absence of Olyroo ‘keeper Tando Velaphi, and Coach Dave Mitchell said it was a tough decision with both showing impressive form.
“Jason pushed him all the way and it was a very close decision,” said Mitchell.
“It is a credit to Jason in the way that he has come back after a broken leg and my decision could have easily gone either way. I-ve given Frank first crack and it-s up to him to prove that he deserves the starting role.
“I know Jason will continue to work hard and be putting pressure on that position,” Mitchell said.
The Glory will unveil another of the club-s major off-season recruits against Adelaide with former Brazilian international Amaral set to play his first official match for Perth. The defensive midfielder has been in sparkling form on the training track since arriving in Western Australia a fortnight ago and has quickly slotted into the side.
“Amaral is a true professional, a fantastic player and is determined to win. No doubt there will be plenty of people keen to see him in action and from a Glory supporters perspective I know they won-t be disappointed,” Mitchell said.
Perth last played in South Australia only a couple of weeks ago in a pre-season cup clash where the sides drew nil-all however the Glory didn-t have the services of Amaral or new international recruit Adrian Trinidad playing in that match which will give them a very different looking line-up this time around.
“All the lads are looking forward to the start of the season after a long pre-season,” said Mitchell.
“We-ll be expecting a tough game against Adelaide who many people are picking as one of the fancies for the championship this season, but after a solid build-up we-re more than ready to take them on,” Mitchell said.
Hyundai A-League 2008/09 Season – Round 1
Adelaide United v Perth Glory
Sunday 17 August 2008
Kick-Off 4.30pm ACST (5.00pm AEST)
Hindmarsh Stadium
Referee. Peter Green
TV. Live & Exclusive Fox Sports 3 (www.foxsports.com.au) – Match broadcast commences 3.00pm AWST
Radio. Fresh FM (Adelaide) 92.7FM www.freshfm.com.au
Tickets. Venue*tix – available via internet or phone and at the venue. Visit www.venuetix.com.au or phone (08) 8225 8888
Perth Glory Squad. 1.Jason PETKOVIC (gk), 3.David TARKA, 4.Jamie COYNE, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Nick RIZZO, 8.James ROBINSON, 9.Adrian TRINIDAD, 10.AMARAL, 11.Scott BULLOCH, 14.Eugene DADI, 15.Hayden DOYLE, 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17.James DOWNEY, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 20.Frank JURIC (gk), 21.Mark LEE.
* one to be omitted
In. Nil
Out. Nil
Unavailable. Nikolai Topor-Stanley (TBA – international duty), Jamie Harnwell (hip – test), Josip Magdic (ankle – test), Nikita Rukavytsya (TB A – international duty), Hayden Foxe (foot – 3 weeks), Tando Velaphi (TBA – international duty)
Adelaide United Squad. 20.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 2.Robert CORNTHWAITE, 3.ALEMAO, 4.Angelo COSTANZO, 7.Lucas PANTELIS, 9.Paul AGOSTINO, 10.CRISTIANO, 11.Robert YOUNIS, 12.Paul REID, 13.Travis DODD (capt.), 14.Scott JAMIESON, 15.Jonas SALLEY, 16.Daniel MULLEN, 18.Fabian BARBIERO, 19.Sasa OGNENOVSKI, 21.Jason SPAGNUOLO, 30.Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk).
* 2 to be omitted
In. Paul Agostino (returns from injury), Sasa Ognenovski (returns from injury), Robert Younis (promoted), Paul Reid (promoted)
Out. Cassio (calf – 2 weeks), Michael Valkanis (knee – 2 weeks)
Unavailable. Diego (hamstring – 2 weeks), Kristian Sarkies (international duty – 1 week), Daniel Beltrame (knee – season), Isyan Erdogan (hamstring – indefinite)
Perth Glory vs Adelaide United – Hyundai A-League HEAD TO HEAD
13-Jan-2008… W 3-2… Hyundai A-League 2007/08 Rd 20 (Members Equity Stadium)
23-Nov-2007… D 1-1… Hyundai A-League 2007/08 Rd14 (Hindmarsh Stadium)
7-Oct-2007… D 0-0… Hyundai A-League 2007/08 Rd7 (Members Equity Stadium)
28-Dec-2006… D 0-0… Hyundai A-League 2006/07 Rd18 (Members Equity Stadium)
5-Nov-2006… L 2-3… Hyundai A-League 2006/07 Rd11 (Hindmarsh Stadium)
16-Sep-2006… L 0-3… Hyundai A-League 2006/07 Rd4 (Hindmarsh Stadium)
12-Jan-2006… L 1-2… Hyundai A-League 2005/06 Rd18 (Members Equity Stadium)
6-Nov-2005… W 4-2… Hyundai A-League 2005/06 Rd11 (Hindmarsh Stadium)
17-Sep-2005… L 1-2… Hyundai A-League 2005/06 Rd4 (Members Equity Stadium)
At Hindmarsh Stadium
Played 4; Adelaide United 2, Perth Glory 1, Draws 1
Last time they met in the Hyundai A-League
13-Jan-2008 Round 20, Hyundai A-League 2007/08 Season at Members Equity Stadium
Perth Glory 3 (Robinson 11-, Rukavytsya 45+1-, Harnwell 61-)
Adelaide United 2 (Djite 8-, Dodd 59-)
