Perth Glory Coach Dave Mitchell has put his faith in the squad that registered the club’s first win of the season to repeat the dose against Central Coast on Friday night.
Perth Glory Coach Dave Mitchell has put his faith in the squad that registered the club-s first win of the season to repeat the dose against Central Coast on Friday night.
Players and coaches departed Perth on Thursday morning with goal keeper Frank Juric the only change to the side that beat Wellington 1-nil at Members Equity Stadium last Sunday.
Juric comes in for fellow ‘keeper Tando Velaphi who will start in goal for Glory-s Youth Team when they kick-off their season against the Mariners Youth in Gosford prior to the Hyundai A-League clash between the club-s senior sides.
After keeping a clean sheet last week, Mitchell will be hoping his side can produce another strong defensive effort against a Mariners outfit he believes will come out all guns blazing.
“We kept a clean sheet which was good and won the game which was even more important. Hopefully it can be a platform for us to go out there with more self confidence,” Mitchell said.
“I don-t think Central Coast will be defending against us, they-ll be coming at us so we-ll need to set ourselves up to deal with that and as the game goes on we need to make the most of the opportunities that will be presented,” he added.
Perth is coming off a short break having only five days to prepare however, with a win under their belts, the mood inside the camp is buoyant and the squad is looking forward to the challenge of taking on last season-s Premiers on their home turf.
“It-ll be a very tough game. They conceded late last week, which has happened to us this season, so I know they-ll be keen to rectify things this week. Lawrie (McKinna) and I worked together for five years and he has a very good side and we-ll be looking forward to the challenge,” Mitchell said.
“The Mariners are very strong at home, but if we get a point or we can sneak a win it would be fantastic for our club and it-ll give us a real boost.
“If we can get something out of the game then I-d say we are back on track,” Mitchell said.
Central Coast Mariners v Perth Glory
Bluetongue Stadium, Friday 26 September 2008
Kick off 6.00pm AWST
Referee: Mark Shield
Match Radio Broadcast on 6PR 882am – click here to listen
Tickets available from Ticketek – click here to find out more
Perth Glory Squad: 1.Jason PETKOVIC (gk), 2.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, 3.David TARKA, 4.Jamie COYNE (c), 5.Jamie HARNWELL, 8.James ROBINSON, 9.Adrian TRINIDAD, 11.Scott BULLOCH, 13.Nikita RUKAVYTSYA, 14.Eugene DADI, 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 20.Frank JURIC (gk), 22.Wayne SRHOJ, 27.Stuart McLAREN.
In: 20.Frank JURIC (promoted).
Out: 30.Tando VELAPHI (National Youth League).
Unavailable: AMARAL (hamstring – 2 weeks), James DOWNEY (calf – 1 week), Dino DJULBIC (suspended – 3 weeks), Hayden FOXE (foot – 2 weeks), Josip MAGDIC (ankle – season).
Central Coast Mariners Squad: 4.Pedj BOJIC, 5.Bradley PORTER, 6.David D’APUZZO, 7.John HUTCHINSON, 9.Nik MRDJA, 10.Adrian CACERES, 11.Dylan MACALLISTER, 13.Paul O’GRADY, 15.Andrew CLARK, 16.Nigel BOOGAARD, 17.Matthew OSMAN, 18.Alex WILKINSON, 19.Matt SIMON, 22.Sasho PETROVSKI, 23.Mile JEDINAK, 30.Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 40.Mark BOSNICH (gk).
*two to be omitted.
In: 9. Nik MRDJA (Promoted), 15. Andrew CLARK (Returns from Illness)
Out: Nil.
Unavailable: 2. Andre GUMPRECHT (Knee – Indefinite), 8. Dean HEFFERNAN (Leg – Indefinite), 12. Greg OWENS (Hamstring – Indefinite), 20. Danny VUKOVIC (Suspended – 2 rounds), 21. Ahmad ELRICH (Knee – Season).
