Perth Glory Women’s coach John Gibson will face his old mentor, Ray Junna, when Canberra United travels to Perth for a clash against the Glory girls at Clipsal Stadium on Saturday.
Perth Glory Women-s coach John Gibson will face his old mentor, Ray Junna, when Canberra United travels to Perth for a clash against the Glory girls at Clipsal Stadium on Saturday.
Gibson was Assistant Coach at United in the inaugural season of the Westfield W-League and also served under Junna at the Australian Institute of Sport.
“Canberra is a vastly different team with a different style and has had a big turnaround in players since the inaugural season but that said, there is some familiarity there so I have definitely got a few ideas on how to combat them.
“It will be good to catch up with Ray as he was my mentor at the AIS, and of course the payers who I worked with last season but it will be all business once the first whistle sounds.”
After securing a win at home last week the mood at training has been upbeat and Perth is determined to repeat the dose again this weekend.
“We have spoken about backing up from last weekend-s first victory, we have been quite honest with the girls this weekend on where they are at and we need to continue to maintain that run,” Gibson said.
“Winning is a habit that we want to get into and we-ve got some really important games coming up so three points this weekend is crucial.
“We are looking to build a bit of momentum now. Canberra has had two losses on the trot against some very tough teams including Brisbane Roar, but they will be coming here to get a result and it will be a tough, hard match for both teams.
For the first time the Glory girls will play a home game away from ME Bank Stadium instead switching to the intimate atmosphere at Clipsal in Inglewood.
“Some of the girls have played at Clipsal Stadium previously with the NTC squad so it won-t be totally unknown to us.
“It-s a different venue but it-s our home game, that-s our new home for the rest of the season and we will be making it our fortress and tough for opposition teams to come to and get a result,” Gibson said.
The Glory will go into the match with an unchanged line up, and after the star showing of his Matildas trio last weekend, Gibson is looking to his other players to step-up and maintain the momentum.
“All of our girls have the potential, every player has a role and responsibility in the group and it-s more about the collective effort rather than specific individuals to always step up.”
Westfield W-League 2009 – Rd 3
Perth Glory v Canberra United
Saturday, 17 October 2009 at Clipsal Stadium, Inglewood
Kick-off: 3.00pm AWST
Referee: Casey Reibelt
Tickets available on the gate for $5 adults, $2 concessions
Perth Glory squad: 1. Emma WIRKUS (gk), 3. Carys HAWKINS, 5. Shannon MAY, 6. Ella MASTRANTONIO, 7. Elissia CANHAM, 8. Tanya OXTOBY (c), 9. Dani CALAUTTI, 11. Lisa DE VANNA, 13. Elisa D-OVIDIO, 14. Collette McCALLUM, 15. Alex SINGER, 16. Sadie LAWRENCE, 17. Marianna TABAIN, 18. Ellis GLANFIELD, 19. Katarina JUKIC
In: Nil
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Sam KERR (international duties), Zoe PALANDRI (overseas)
Canberra United squad: 1. Lydia WILLIAMS, 3. Bronwyn STUDMAN, 4. LIN Chiung Ying, 5. Kahlia HOGG, 6. Ellie RAYMOND, 7. Ellie BRUSH, 9. Grace GILL, 10. TSENG Shu O, 11. Cian MACIEJEWSKI, 12. Snez VELJANOVSKA, 14. Ashleigh SYKES, 15. Nicole SYKES, 16. Ellyse PERRY, 19. Jennifer BISSET, 20. Jocelyn MARA
In: Nil
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Rebecca KITING (back – 1 week), Emily van EGMOND (international duties – 2 weeks), Christine WALTERS (calf – indefinitely), Sally SHIPARD (waiting clearance – indefinitely)
