Perth Glory Women will be bolstered by two big inclusions for their televised Westfield W-League clash against Sydney FC on Saturday.
Perth Glory Women will be bolstered by two big inclusions for their televised Westfield W-League clash against Sydney FC on Saturday.
Sam Kerr returns from national duty with the Australian U16-s team, while Matildas striker Katie Gill will make her Glory debut after receiving her international clearance.
“Having these key players in the side is definitely a major boost to the squad” said Glory coach John Gibson.
“We can-t control the injuries and suspensions, but it is fantastic to have Katie over the line after the hassle with her transfer and the infectious Sammy back as well.
“Every game we strive to win, it gives you more confidence knowing that you have the calibre of player coming in that we have this weekend. Katie has a wonderful professional attitude, she is a target and presence up front, a Matilda and it-s fantastic for the squad.”
It has been a tough past three matches for Gibson-s Glory girls, with a depleted squad and no points seeing his side slip out of the top four.
“Again we can-t control those things, despite the losses there are positives that come out of it, the experience to other girls that wouldn-t be given the opportunities otherwise. With the results, it comes back to losing key players. If you take four or five key players out it is difficult to get the results you want” said Gibson.
“We can be fairly creative in the line-up this week, we need to take into account the weather which will be 30 degrees plus.
“We are just looking after ourselves, and looking for strong performances from all the girls that take to the field. That-s all we can control, we need to concentrate for the 90 minutes, not just in patches. We go into this match very confident” concluded Gibson.
The Glory is currently in sixth place on the Westfield W-League table, four points behind Melbourne Victory who occupy the fourth finals position. A win for the Glory will put the side right back in the mix with two home games following this match to complete the 10 round season.
Westfield W-League
Sydney FC v Perth Glory
Saturday, 21 November 2009 at Leichhardt Oval, Leichhardt
Local kick-off: 3.00pm AEDT (12noon WST)
Referee: Prue Donohue
Exclusive broadcast on ABC1 and ABC HD from 3.00pm WST
Perth Glory squad: 1. Emma WIRKUS (GK), 3. Carys HAWKINS, 4. Sam Kerr, 5. Shannon MAY, 6. Ella MASTRANTONIO, 7. Elissia CANHAM, 8. Tanya OXTOBY (C), 9. Dani CALAUTTI, 11. Lisa DE VANNA, 12. Katie GILL, 13. Elisa D-OVIDIO, 15. Alex SINGER, 16. Sadie LAWRENCE, 17. Marianna TABAIN, 18. Ellis GLANFIELD, 19. Katarina JUKIC, 20. Zoe PALANDRI
*two to be omitted*
In: Sam Kerr (return from national duty), Katie GILL (new signing)
Out: Jaymee GIBBONS
Unavailable: Collette McCALLUM (ankle – indefinite), Ciara CONWAY (injured – ACL – indefinite)
Sydney FC squad: 1. Nikola DEITER (gk), 2. Teigan ALLEN, 4. Alesha CLIFFORD, 5. Lisa GILBERT, 6. Servet UZUNLAR, 7. Heather GARRIOCK (c), 8. Julie RYDAHL, 9. Sarah WALSH, 10. Kylie LEDBROOK, 11. Cathrine PAASKE, 12. Michelle CARNEY, 13. Catherine CANNULI, 15. Kyah SIMON, 16. Linda O-NEILL, 18.Brittany WHITFIELD, 19. Leena KHAMIS, 20. Carla MONFORTE (gk)
*two to be omitted*
In: Teigan ALLEN (international duty), Brittany WHITFIELD (international duty)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Nicola BOLGER (knee – season) Danielle BROGAN (knee – season)
