He may have branded them ‘Melbourne Matildas’, but Glory Head Coach Bobby Despotovski believes his charges have nothing to fear when they head east to take on Melbourne City’s international-laden side this Thursday (kick off at 4.30pm WST).
The women in purple picked up their first point of the campaign against Canberra United last time out, Kim Carroll powering home a last-minute header to secure a share of the spoils at Dorrien Gardens.
And although they will face stern test against ladder-leaders City who have won four of their five games thus far this term, Despotovski is urging his players to embrace the challenge.
“Just believe in the process and give 150% – that’s all we ask of the players,” he said.
“If you go into the changing rooms, one of my messages on the wall says always improve upon last week’s performance.
“If you go in with that mentality, you’re always going to find some little bit of energy within you to improve on the last week.
“On Thursday we have to play against the Matildas – the Melbourne City Matildas.
“They have nine members of the national squad, I believe, but we will go over there and give it a red-hot go.
“It’s a completely different ball game to last week, but we have no pressure on us and absolutely nothing to fear.”
Glory can certainly take some heart from their most recent meetings with the Victorians, having won three of the last five.
Last season’s corresponding fixture produced the most comprehensive of those victories, the WA side prevailing 5-2 in a thriller at HBF Park and you can check out the highlights from that game here:
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268486001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5971439231001
This term, City drew away at Newcastle in Round One, but since then have defeated Canberra United, Adelaide United, Sydney FC and most recently, Melbourne Victory.
Match Details
Thursday, 19 December 2019
Melbourne City v Perth Glory
ABD Stadium, Broadmeadow
Kick-Off: 4:30pm (Local)( 7:30pm (Local))
Referee: Kelly Jones
Assistant Referee 1: Janelle Sammut
Assistant Referee 2: Jasmine Steger
Fourth Official: Danielle Anderson
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 from 7:15pm (AEDT), Kayo Sports (www.kayosports.com.au) and MyFootball Live App, Live Fast and Data Free for Telstra mobile customers
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #MCYvPER
To purchase tickets visit www.w-league.com.au/tickets
Melbourne City FC squad: 1.Lydia WILLIAMS (gk), 2.Yukari KINGA, 3.Lauren BARNES, 4.Chelsea BLISSETT, 6.Aivi LUIK, 7.Steph CATLEY (c), 8.Nia STAMATOPOULOS, 9.Claire EMSLIE, 10.Emily VAN EGMOND, 11.Rhali DOBSON, 13.Rebekah STOTT, 15.Emma CHECKER, 17.Kyah SIMON, 19.Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC, 20.Milica MIJATOVIC, 21.Ellie CARPENTER, 23.Melissa HUDSON
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 8.Nia STAMATOPOULOS (promoted), 19.Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC (returns from injury)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: Nil
Perth Glory squad: 1.Eliza CAMPBELL (gk), 2.Sarah CARROLL, 3.Kim CARROLL, 4.Ayesha NORRIE, 5.Shannon MAY, 6.Arianna ROMERO, 7.CELIA, 8.Morgan ANDREWS, 9.Crystal THOMAS, 10.Julia SARDO, 11.Leticia MCKENNA, 12.Jenna ONIONS, 14.Caitlin DOEGLAS, 19.Hana LOWRY, 21.Morgan AQUINO (gk), 24.Natasha RIGBY (c), 28.Katarina JUKIC
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 10.Julia SARDO (returns from injury), 12.Jenna ONIONS (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: Nil
#OneGlory
