Perth Glory is determined to rekindle their love affair with EnergyAustralia Stadium in Newcastle with the West Australian’s holding no fear on enemy territory after registering four wins in six matches at the ground.
Perth Glory is determined to rekindle their love affair with EnergyAustralia Stadium in Newcastle with the West Australian-s holding no fear on enemy territory after registering four wins in six matches at the ground.
Following a breakthrough 4-2 road victory against Brisbane last Sunday the Glory will be out to repeat the dose against the Jets on Friday evening and consolidate a position in the top four.
“We go to any venue and think we can get a result,” said Perth Coach Dave Mitchell.
“Newcastle has been a ground where we have been able to play well and take the points which has been pleasing however that is definitely no guarantee this time around.
“We have played some good football this season but not been able to take the points. We will be looking to bring everything together when we play against the Jets and I-m confident we can do that,” said Mitchell.
This will be the second meeting between the club-s this season with Perth registering a 2-0 win in a hard fought contest in round 3 at ME Bank Stadium. Goals from Wayne Srhoj and Adriano Pellegrino giving Glory the points and both featured on the scoresheet again last weekend.
Young goalkeeper Tando Velaphi has returned to training and is pressing for a recall while Perth has been forced to make one change with Jamie Harnwell out of the side after suffering a knee injury against Brisbane. Mitchell said he has a number of options at his disposal when looking to fill the gap alongside in-form Serbian striker Branko Jelic.
“We threw things around a bit last week with Jamie starting up front but we have Mile (Sterjovski) that can go back into that role with Victor (Sikora) able to be placed out wide.
“We-re backing up after just five days but the boys have been in good spirits and we-re fortunate to have most of the squad fit and available to play,” said Mitchell.
Last season-s joint-leading goal scorer, Eugene Dadi, will suit up for the Glory Youth Team after overcoming a niggling injury. Dadi hasn-t played since round one and Mitchell is keen for the big striker to get game time before thrusting him back into senior action.
“Eugene has been training well but he received a knock last week and that stopped him playing with the Youth Team. It-s important that he gets some match fitness and once he does it puts him back in contention for senior selection.”
Mitchell said he is wary of a Jets outfit that will be determined to get a result after a solid performance last weekend that disappointingly didn-t yield any points.
“The Jets will be stinging after being in the game against Sydney last week and then not getting the result they were after.
“I have no doubt they-ll be hungry to get the three points at home and the match definitely looms as a danger game for us.
“We-ll take confidence into the match and are looking forward to having another opportunity to get a positive result away from home.
“Our boys have a taste for winning on the road and they all want to taste it again.”
Hyundai A-League 2009/10 – Rd 8
Newcastle Jets v Perth Glory
Friday, 25 September 2009 at EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle
Kick-off: 6.00pm (AWST)
Referee: Matthew Breeze
Club radio broadcast partner 6PR 882AM – www.6pr.com.au – click here to listen.
Match broadcast on Fox Sports 2 and Sky Sports 1.
Newcastle Jets squad: 1. Ben KENNEDY (gk), 2. Angelo COSTANZO, 3. Adam D-APUZZO, 4. Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, 5. Ljubo MILICEVIC, 7. Jin-Hyung SONG, 8. Matt THOMPSON (c), 9. Sasho PETROVSKI, 10. Donny DE GROOT, 11. Tarek ELRICH, 17. Fabio VIGNAROLI, 19. Jason NAIDOVSKI, 20. Neil YOUNG (gk), 22. Kaz PATAFTA, 25. Labinot HALITI, 26. Ali ABBAS
*one to be omitted*
In: Donny DE GROOT (returns from injury)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Ben KANTAROVSKI (international duty), Jobe WHEELHOUSE (ankle – 1 week), Shaun ONTONG (Achilles – indefinite), Sean ROONEY (international duty), Jason HOFFMAN (international duty), Marko JESIC (knee – indefinite)
Perth Glory squad: 1.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 3.Jamie COYNE, 4.Andy TODD, 6.Chris COYNE, 7.Jacob BURNS (c), 8.Victor SIKORA, 10.Wayne SRHOJ, 11.Branko JELIC, 12.Scott NEVILLE, 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17.Todd HOWARTH, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 20.Aleks VRTESKI (gk), 21.Mile STERJOVSKI, 23.Andrija JUKIC, 25.AMARAL
*one to be omitted*
In: Tando VELAPHI (return from injury), Andrija JUKIC (promoted), AMARAL (promoted)
Out: Jamie HARNWELL (knee – 8 weeks), Alex PEARSON (youth team)
Unavailable: Nil
*Head-to-Head: Played 13: Newcastle Jets wins 3, Perth Glory wins 6, Drawn 4
*Head-to-Head at EnergyAustralia Stadium: Played 6: Newcastle Jets wins 2, Perth Glory wins 4, Drawn 0
