Perth Glory coach Dave Mitchell is preparing his side to face a buoyant Adelaide outfit on Sunday at Hindmarsh Stadium following the South Australian’s qualification for the Asian Champions League Final last night.
Perth Glory coach Dave Mitchell is preparing his side to face a buoyant Adelaide outfit on Sunday at Hindmarsh Stadium following the South Australian-s qualification for the Asian Champions League Final last night.
Mitchell quickly rejected any suggestion Perth will have the upper hand against Adelaide who face a long journey home from Uzbekistan before backing up against Perth on Sunday afternoon.
“Aurelio Vidmar and his team have done themselves and Australian football proud. We have a young competition in this country and to have a team qualify for the Asian Champions League final is fantastic,” Mitchell said.
“They might be a little weary but they-ll also be buoyant and confident in their ability to go anywhere and perform despite the obstacles.
“They-re one of the best teams in Asia now and they continue to do very well in the A-League so there is no doubt it-ll be a tough game for us,” said Mitchell.
The Glory head into the round just three points from a top four spot and Mitchell said there will be no complacency in what is a crucial game for Perth.
“I can assure you that no one inside the club thinks we just need to rock up and we-ll get the points because they-ll be jet lagged,” Mitchell said.
“This is a big game for us and we-re preparing for an Adelaide side at full strength.”
In a boost for Glory, Dino Djulbic is available for selection after serving his suspension and has been included in an extended 16 man squad. The tough defender has been training the house down in a bid to win back a place in the starting eleven.
However with Perth impressing in their 2-1 win against Sydney last week, and with all players coming through the match unscathed, Mitchell has the option to take in an unchanged line-up.
“Dino and the club were dealt a harsh blow with his suspension and he has been missed,” said Mitchell
“He-ll come back into calculations however I-m still to decide on my final line-up. Regardless of whether he plays or not it-s nice to have him available again.”
Adelaide United v Perth Glory
Sunday 26 October, Hindmarsh Stadium
Kick-off 3.00pm (AWDT)
Referee: Strebre Delovski
Match Radio Broadcast on 6PR 882am – click here to listen
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 3 and delayed coverage on Sky Sport 3.
Perth Glory Squad: 30.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 2.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, 4.Jamie COYNE (c), 5.Jamie HARNWELL, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Nick RIZZO, 9.Adrian TRINIDAD, 10.AMARAL, 11.Scott BULLOCH, 13.Nikita RUKAVYTSYA, , 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17.James DOWNEY, 18.Hayden FOXE, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 20.Frank JURIC (gk), 22.Wayne SRHOJ
* one to be omitted.
In: Dino DJULBIC (return from suspension)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Eugene DADI (groin – 1 week), Josip MAGDIC (ankle – season), James ROBINSON (abdomen – 8 weeks).
Adelaide United Squad: 20.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 2.Robert CORNTHWAITE, 3.ALEMAO, 4.Angelo COSTANZO, 5.Michael VALKANIS, 6.CASSIO, 7.Lucas PANTELIS, 8.Kristian SARKIES, 10.CRISTIANO, 13.Travis DODD (capt.), 14.Scott JAMIESON, 15.Jonas SALLEY, 16.Daniel MULLEN, 18.Fabian BARBIERO, 19.Sasa OGNENOVSKI, 21.Jason SPAGNUOLO, 22.DIEGO, 24.Paul REID, 25.Robert YOUNIS, 30.Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk)
*5 to be omitted.
In: Eugene GALEKOVIC (return from injury), DIEGO (returns from injury), Michael VALKANIS (promoted), Lucas PANTELIS (promoted), Kristian SARKIES (promoted), Daniel MULLEN (promoted), Robert YOUNIS (promoted).
Out: Paul AGOSTINO (groin – 4 weeks).
Unavailable: Daniel BELTRAME (knee – season), Isyan ERDOGAN (hamstring – indefinite).
