Round 15 against the Newcastle Jets this weekend will be an important clash for Perth Glory as it aims to stay in the hunt for the top four when the two teams do battle at Hunter Stadium on Sunday.
Last time they met, Newcastle won 2-1 in front of a disappointed home crowd at nib Stadium.
Glory coach Kenny Lowe said that match was well in the past and he’ll be focusing on what lies ahead come Sunday.
“The least best performance since I’ve been here” he admitted in reference to the previous match.
“But this is a new game, we’ve got different players playing in this game We’ve had decent performances in the past 3-4 weeks, so we go there with some optimism”.
The team, which sits in fifth spot on the ladder will be buoyed by a solid 2-1 win over Wellington last week, extending the team’s undefeated run to three matches.
Lowe paid tribute to Socceroo and Bunbury product Josh Risdon, who advised the club earlier this week he’d be rejecting a strong renewal offer from the club and opting instead to pursuing his football career outside of WA.
“You’ve got to respect Rizzo and what he wants to do. I’ve got young kids and I know what they want” Lowe said.
“He’s been at the club for a hell of a long time. I‘ve known him since he was 13, maybe younger, so it’s a bit sad but also exciting from Rizzo’s perspective as well.
“He’ll be missed on a personal level more than anything for me. You know he is Perth Glory in a way.
The match kicks-off at 2pm Perth time and will be broadcast on Fox Sports and ABC Radio.
Opta Stats:
o Perth Glory is undefeated at Hunter Stadium (W5, D2) since a 2-0 loss in November 2011.
o Perth Glory is undefeated (W1, D2) in its last three fixtures; the last time they went longer without defeat was a five-game winning streak in Round 26 last season, of which the fourth game was a 2-1 win against Newcastle.
o Perth Glory has scored five headed goals this season, the equal-most of any team alongside Melbourne City.
Sunday, 15 January 2017
Newcastle Jets v Perth Glory
McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Kick-Off: 5:00PM (Local) (5:00PM (AEDT))
Referee: Stephen Lucas
Assistant Referee 1: Lance Greenshields
Assistant Referee 2: James Tesoriero
Fourth Official: Kris Griffiths-Jones
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on Fox Sports 505 from 4.30pm (AEDT) and Sky Sport 1 (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast: 1233 ABC Newcastle, ABC Radio Perth, ABC Local Radio WA, Grandstand Digital, Online & via the ABC Radio Mobile App – A-league Live
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #NEWvPER
Newcastle Jets squad: 2.Daniel MULLEN, 3.Jason HOFFMAN, 4.Nigel BOOGAARD (c), 6.Steven UGARKOVIC, 7.Andrew HOOLE, 8.Mateo POLJAK, 9.Aleksandr KOKKO, 10.Wayne BROWN, 15.Andrew NABBOUT, 16.Nicholas COWBURN, 18.MA Leilei, 19.Morten NORDSTRAND, 20.Jack DUNCAN (gk), 22.Lachlan JACKSON, 23.Devante CLUT, 28.John KOUTROUMBIS, 30.Pierce CLARK (gk)
**one to be omitted**
Ins: 9.Aleksandr KOKKO (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 1.Ben KENNEDY (gk) (Achilles – season), 5.Ben KANTAROVSKI (knee – 1-3 weeks), 13.Ivan VUJICA (hamstring – 3-5 weeks), 21.Daniel ALESSI (knee – season)
Perth Glory squad: 2.Alex GRANT, 3.Marc WARREN, 4.Shane LOWRY, 7.Joel CHIANESE, 8.Rostyn GRIFFITHS (c), 9.Andy KEOGH, 10.Nebojsa MARINKOVIC, 13.Nicholas FEELY (gk), 14.Chris HAROLD, 15.Brandon WILSON, 16.Joe MILLS, 17.Diego CASTRO, 19.Josh RISDON, 20.Aryn WILLIAMS, 22.Adam TAGGART, 23.Kosta PETRATOS, 24.Milan SMILJANIC, 33.Liam REDDY (gk)
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 3.Marc WARREN (promoted), 15.Brandon WILSON
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 6.Dino DJULBIC (suspended – 1 match), 18.Mitch OXBORROW (foot – 3 weeks)
