Head Coach David Zdrilic is excited to see how his new-look Glory side rise to the challenge of taking on Macarthur FC in Sunday’s Isuzu UTE A-League season-opener at Campbelltown Stadium (kick-off at 1pm WST, watch on Paramount +).
View his full pre-match media conference HERE.
The number of debutants in Glory’s matchday squad could run into double figures as they take on a Bulls side fresh from lifting the Australia Cup last month.
And Zdrilic is relishing the prospect of leading the club into an exciting new era on and off the pitch.
“I’ve loved every minute of the challenge of totally recreating the club’s identity and culture and seeing that change already in the pre-season makes me very proud,” he said.
“This new philosophy is a big change for everyone and it’s a change you’re going to see during the season.
“I’m just delighted that the players have bought into it and that it’s been very effective in the pre-season.
“We’ve had our challenges with just being here [in WA] and not being able to get as many games in, but in the games that we have had, I think in the most part it’s been very positive.”
In terms of Sunday’s opponents, the Head Coach is keenly aware of the threats they will pose, but also quietly confident regarding what his own side will bring to the table.
“I expect a very confident team having won the Australia Cup,” he said.
“They’ll be very well prepared and going all the way and winning the Australia Cup, that’s definitely going to mean they have a very positive mind-set.
“We’re expecting a tough challenge, but in the A-League I don’t think there are any easy games.
“So the mentality for us is to approach every game knowing that it’s going to be a tough one, but approaching every game to win.”
Glory will head east looking to secure what would the club’s first ever away win over the Bulls and if they can keep the hosts scoreless, chalk up a 100th A-League clean sheet.
Squad-wise, Mustafa Amini, Nicholas Pennington and Nathanael Blair will miss the trip through injury, while the Bulls will be without former Glory man Chris Ikonomidis and midfielder Bernardo.
Among Macarthur FC’s higher-profile off-season signings were former Belgium Under-21 international defender Dino Arslanagic, three-time A-League Championship winner Luke Brattan and Croatian winger Marin Jakolis who spent last season on loan at Melbourne City.
Last season’s two meetings yielded an aggregate of nine goals, with the two sides drawing 2-2 in NSW and Glory running out 3-2 winners at HBF Park.
Match Details
Isuzu UTE A-League 2024/25 Season Round 1
Macarthur FC v Perth Glory
Campbelltown Stadium
Sunday 20 October 2024
Kick-off: 1pm WST (4pm Local)
Referee: Ben Abraham
Macarthur FC squad: 5. Matthew JURMAN, 6. Tomislav USKOK, 7. Daniel DE SILVA, 8. Jake HOLLMAN, 11. Jed DREW, 12. Filip KURTO, 13. Ivan VUJICA, 15. Dino ARSLANAGIC, 18. Walter SCOTT, 20. Kealey ADAMSON, 22. Liam ROSE, 23. Frans DELI, 24. Dean BOSNJAK, 26. Luke BRATTAN, 27. Joshua DAMEVSKI, 28. Harrison SAWYER, 30. Alexander ROBINSON, 33. Yianni NICOLAOU, 44. Marin JAKOLIS, 98. Valere GERMAIN
(Two to be omitted)
Ins: Nil
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 9. Chris IKONOMIDIS (Injured), 21. BERNARDO (injured)
Perth Glory squad: 1.Oli SAIL (gk), 3.Anas HAMZAOUI, 4.Luke BODNAR, 5.Lachlan BARR, 6.Brandon O’NEILL, 9.David WILLIAMS, 10.Nikola MILEUSNIC, 11.Hiroaki AOYAMA, 12.Taras GOMULKA, 13.Cameron COOK (gk), 15.Zach LISOLAJSKI, 16.Adam BUGARIJA, 17.Jarrod CARLUCCIO, 19.Josh RISDON, 21.Abdul FAISAL, 22.Adam TAGGART (c), 24.Andriano LEBIB, 26.Khoa NGO, 28.Kaelan MAJEKODUNMI, 33.Luis CANGA
(Two to be omitted)
Unavailable: 7.Nicholas PENNINGTON (injured), 8.Mustafa AMINI (injured), 14.Nathanael BLAIR (injured)
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