The squad continue their pre-season preparations this weekend as they fly over East to take on Melbourne Victory in a behind-closed-doors friendly.
Saturday’s game will provide another strong test for Tony Popovic’s side as they ready themselves for their Premiership defence following great hit-outs against Newcastle and Brisbane in the recent Surf City Cup.
“It’s so important to match-up against A-League teams in pre-season,” Chris Ikonomidis said. “It’s the best possible test to see where things are at and learn along the way before round one.”
“Victory are a strong team; they’ve made some great signings in the off-season, so the boys are really up for it and looking forward to making the most it.”
Ikononomidis, who enjoyed a stellar debut campaign in Glory colours last season during which the attacker also earned a place in the Socceroos Asian Cup squad, has been relishing another pre-season under the tutelage of Popovic.
“It’s been fantastic and I think we’re tracking really well compared to this stage last year, which is really promising,” he said.
“We’re definitely building on that momentum gained from the success of last season as we’ve made some great signings and all the new boys have made a real smooth transition into the team.”
One signing poised to taste his first piece of Glory action this weekend is 1.93m defender Gregory Wuthrich. The 24-year-old, signed from Swiss giants Young Boys on a one-year-deal, joins Jacob Tratt, Dane Ingham, Osama Malik, Nick D’Agostino and Kim Soo-beom as Glory’s off-season acquisitions.
You can follow tomorrow’s game via our Twitter coverage beginning at 12pm (WST).
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