Perth Glory will weigh up the right balance of youth and experience in the squad to tackle Melbourne at Members Equity Stadium this Sunday with Coach Dave Mitchell casting one eye forward to next season.
Perth Glory will weigh up the right balance of youth and experience in the squad to tackle Melbourne at Members Equity Stadium this Sunday with Coach Dave Mitchell casting one eye forward to next season.
Experience returns to the Glory line-up through striker Eugene Dadi and recently re-signed midfielder Wayne Srhoj, while outstanding youngsters Andrija Jukic and Scott Neville could be given another opportunity to showcase their ability at the top level.
Both Jukic and Neville have excelled for Glory-s Youth Team this season and have again pressed their claim for inclusion against the Victory with another impressive week on the training track.
“There are a couple of players I want to have a closer look at and a few young boys that could be thrown in but you have to get that balance right with a blend of youth and experience to ensure we give the best account of ourselves as possible,” Mitchell said.
The Glory has worked hard to turn Members Equity Stadium into a fortress this season and gaining maximum points in the club-s final match at home is a top priority.
“There has never been any thought that we-d be out there doing anything less than going for the win,” said Mitchell.
“We might look at trying a few things which sometimes can work for you and sometimes go against you, but there is still plenty of pride at stake and we-re determined to get as many wins as possible in the remaining games.”
Perth produced one of their most complete performances of the season when they last met Melbourne to notch a comprehensive 3-1 win. The Glory will again have to be at their best against the league leaders who have a full strength squad from which to choose. With a forecast temperature of 38 degrees in Perth on Sunday the match-up will definitely be a heated affair.
“Both sides will be gunning for the win and the heat just adds another dimension to what I think will be a great match. Melbourne are the pacesetters in the league and we are looking forward to testing ourselves against the best.
“We want to thank our members for their passionate support throughout the season with a win. I hope another big crowd can turn out for the game and just remember to slip, slop, slap!” said Mitchell.
Hyundai A-League Rd19
Perth Glory v Melbourne Victory
Sunday 11 January at Members Equity Stadium
Local kick off 6.00pm
Referee: Chris Beath
To purchase tickets visit www.ticketmaster.com.au
Match Radio Broadcast on 6PR 882am – click here to listen
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1 and Sky Sport 3
Perth Glory Squad: 1.Jason PETKOVIC (gk), 2.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, 4.Jamie COYNE (c), 5.Jamie HARNWELL, 7.Nick RIZZO, 9.Adrian TRINIDAD, 11.Scott BULLOCH, 13.Nikita RUKAVYTSYA, 14.Eugene DADI, 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17.James DOWNEY, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 22.Wayne SRHOJ, 25.Marc ANTHONY, 28.Andrija JUKIC, 29.Victor SIKORA, 30.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 31.Scott NEVILLE
* three to be omitted
In: 14.Eugene DADI (promoted), 22.Wayne SRHOJ (return from injury), 28.Andrija JUKIC (promoted from youth team).
Out: Nil.
Unavailable: Josip MAGDIC (ankle – season), AMARAL (hamstring – season), James ROBINSON (abdomen – season), Frank JURIC (shoulder – 1 week), David TARKA (suspended – 1 week), Dino DJULBIC (ankle – 1 week), Hayden FOXE (leg – test).
Melbourne Victory Squad: 1.Michael THEOKLITOS (gk), 2.Kevin MUSCAT (Captain), 5.Sebastian RYALL, 7.Matthew KEMP, 8.Grant BREBNER, 9.Danny ALLSOPP, 10.Archie THOMPSON, 11.NEY FABIANO, 12.Rodrigo VARGAS, 14.Billy CELESKI, 15.Tom PONDELJAK, 16.Carlos HERNANDEZ, 17.Jose Luis LOPEZ, 20.Mitchell LANGERAK (gk), 22.Nick WARD.
In: Nil.
Out: Nil.
Unavailable: Nil.
