Neil Kilkenny has emphasised the importance of squad depth as Glory prepare for Sunday’s highly-anticipated clash with Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium.
Both sides come into the game unbeaten so far this term and having fought out a 2-2 draw in September’s pre-season friendly meeting.
Kilkenny is expecting a similarly tight contest this weekend, but feels that the Glory squad has what it takes to chalk up a second consecutive away victory.
“We’re happy with our start to the season,” he said, “but it’s only three games in and we need to keep working hard and trying to get as many points on the board as possible, hopefully starting on Sunday.
“It’ll be a tough game for us, but also for them too.
“Adelaide are always an attacking side who like to play through the thirds.
“When we played them in pre-season it was a good game, so we’re definitely looking forward to it.
“We’re very organised and the manager is working us hard and is very demanding of us and that’s great.
“As a team, you need that. Now it’s starting to show on the pitch and it’s fantastic to be a part of.
“We know that the players who aren’t playing at the moment are still very much a part of it and are ready to step in when required.
“You’ve seen that with the few changes we have made, that people are coming into the team and making an impact and that is what squads are all about.
“Squads make you successful, not just the starting eleven and we’re all pushing each other.”
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268486001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5859676529001
Glory will be forced to make at least one change for the cross-border trip, with Tomi Mrcela set to miss out as he serves a one-match ban after seeing red against Brisbane last time out.
Head Coach Tony Popovic confirmed that Dino Djulbic and Scott Neville are vying to replace the former Jeonnam Dragons defender.
You can view the Head Coach’s full presser here:
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268486001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5859674560001
The men in purple last won in the South Australian capital in February 2017 when Andy Keogh scored one of the five goals that he has bagged in his last six appearances against the Reds.
The Irishman is also three from three so far this season.
Sunday’s game will form part of Remembrance Round and to mark the event, an AUFC Legends XI, including former Glory favourite Travis Dodd, is set to play a curtain-raising exhibition game against the Australian Defence Force.
The game will help raise awareness for the charity Soldier On, more details of which can be found HERE.
Match Details
Sunday, 11 November 2018
Adelaide United v Perth Glory
Coopers Stadium, Adelaide
Kick-Off: 2.00PM (WST) 4:30PM (Local)
Referee: Chris Beath
Assistant Referee 1: Matthew Cream
Assistant Referee 2: Kearney Robinson
Fourth Official: Daniel Elder
VAR: Craig Zetter
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 from 4.30pm (AEDT) and Sky Sport 4 (New Zealand) and MyFootball Live App, Live Fast and Data Free for Telstra mobile customers
Radio Broadcast: myfootballnation.com (5AA, Sport FM Perth and SEN+). ABC News on Radio, Grandstand Digital, Online & via the ABC Listen App – A-League Live
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #ADLvPER #RemembranceRound
To purchase tickets visit www.aleague.com.au/tickets
Adelaide United Squad: 2.Michael MARRONE, 3.Scott GALLOWAY, 4.Ryan STRAIN, 5.Taylor REGAN, 6.Vince LIA, 7.Ryan KITTO, 8.Isaías SÁNCHEZ (c), 10.Ken ILSØ, 11.Craig GOODWIN, 16.Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS, 17.Nikola MILEUSNIĆ, 20.Paul IZZO (Gk), 22.Michael JAKOBSEN, 23.Jordan ELSEY, 26.Ben HALLORAN, 30.Isaac RICHARDS (Gk), 31.Mirko BOLAND, 33.Apostolos STAMATELOPOULOS
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 6.Vince LIA (promoted), 31.Mirko BOLAND (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 9.Baba DIAWARA (knee), 14.George BLACKWOOD (collar bone)
Perth Glory Squad: 1.Tando VELAPHI (Gk), 2.Alex GRANT, 3.Jason DAVIDSON, 4.Shane LOWRY, 5.Ivan FRANJIC, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Joel CHIANESE, 9.Andy KEOGH, 13.Matthew SPIRANOVIC, 14.Chris HAROLD, 15.Brandon WILSON, 19.Chris IKONOMIDIS, 20.Jake BRIMMER, 22.Fabio FERREIRA, 23.Scott NEVILLE, 27.JUANDE, 33.Liam REDDY (Gk), 88.Neil KILKENNY
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 6.Dino DJULBIC (promoted) 13.Matt SPIRANOVIC (promoted), 20.Jake BRIMMER (promoted)
Outs: 16.Tomislav MRCELA (suspended – 1 match)
Unavailable: 11.Brendon SANTALAB (hamstring – 1 week), 17.Diego CASTRO (hamstring – 1-2 weeks), 21.Jacob ITALIANO (knee – 1-2 weeks)
#OneGlory
