Perth Glory makes the trip to Parramatta Stadium, on Sunday afternoon to take on Western Sydney Wanderers in week 24 of the Hyundai A-League. (2pm WA time)
Perth Glory makes the trip to Parramatta Stadium, on Sunday afternoon to take on Western Sydney Wanderers in week 24 of the Hyundai A-League. (2pm WA time)
A last minute defeat against Melbourne Victory last week was a disappointing result for Perth Glory, after dominating the first half, but they head east looking for a similar performance for 90 minutes, and getting the right result and beating the Wanderers for the first time ever in the A-League.
Interim coach Kenny Lowe was left to rue missed chances against the Victory and with the fielding of six players aged 23 or under, Lowe admitted that was contributing to his side-s lack of results in recent weeks. “We were in the game all day long, but you can’t have that naivety and expect to win games,” he said.
“There was honest application out there, but there was a bit of frustration from the older players because of the lack of intelligence at times and lack of game-savvy, but that comes after you’ve had 50 or 60 league games, not five or six.”
An improvement in front of goal is needed, with the Glory having scored the least number of goals in the competition this season, and Shane Smeltz will again miss with a groin injury, so Jamie Maclaren will continue up front, looking to add to his two goals this season. In other team news Sidnei is in doubt due to injury, and Ryan Edwards, Josh Risdon and Riley Woodcock have been added to the initial squad of 18.
Young defender Jack Clisby continues to improve, the former Inglewood United defender has matured into a quality defender, and is hoping to come away with a good result on Sunday. “The Wanderers away is always a very tough game, they played midweek in the ACL, and will have to back up, which is definitely a plus for us. They do however have a strong squad, but I feel we can get something out of the game,” he said.
The 22-year-old has blossomed under the guidance of Socceroo defender Michael Thwaite and French international William Gallas this season, but he knows he has to keep improving to keep his spot. “Kenny (Lowe) has very high standards and expects the very best from his players so every week you have to perform at the highest level to try and maintain your spot in the side,” Clisby said.
“Michael has been very influential in my season, as he has most of the time played to the right of me as I-ve played centre back or left back.
“William has also been a great mentor to the young lads in the squad, including myself, and is always giving good instructions, and with his experience at the top level in world football it can only help everyone in the squad.”
The last time the Glory met the Wanderers at the Parramatta Stadium was in week 17 this season, when the home side came out on top 3-1. Brendon Santalab and Aaron Mooy gave the Wanderers a 2-0 lead at the break, but Shane Smeltz pulled one back midway through the second half. But a late penalty from Mark Bridge gave them all three points.
The Wanderers lost second spot on the table last week after a 0-0 draw with Adelaide United, on a heavy pitch and came up against Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale in the ACL on Wednesday evening winning 1-0.
Youssouf Hersi will be a danger for the Glory; the Dutch winger is finding the form he showed last season, while Tomi Juric and Kwabena Appiah have hit their straps in recent weeks. Coach Tony Popovic rang the changes in midweek, but will have Shinji Ono available and Matthew Spiranovic fit after missing the last two weeks.
Sunday, 23 March 2014
Western Sydney Wanderers v Perth Glory
Pirtek Stadium, Parramatta
Kick Off 2pm (WST)
Perth Glory Squad: 2.Jack CLISBY, 3.Brandon O-NEILL, 4.Ryan EDWARDS, 5.Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 7.Jacob BURNS (c), 8.Nebojsa MARINKOVIC, 10.Jamie MACLAREN, 11.Adrian ZAHRA 14.Steven McGARRY, 17.Chris HAROLD, 18.Jack DUNCAN (gk), 19.Josh RISDON, 24.Matthew DAVIES, 23.Michael THWAITE, , 25.Riley WOODCOCK, 28.Darvydas SERNAS, 36.William GALLAS, 39.Luke RADONICH (gk)
**two to be omitted**
INS: 4.Ryan EDWARDS (promoted), 19.Josh RISDON (promoted), 25.Riley WOODCOCK (promoted)
OUTS: 16.Sidnei SCIOLA MORAES (injury – 1 week), 20. Danny DE SILVA
Unavailable: Travis DODD (knee – indefinite), Scott JAMIESON (Achilles – indefinite), Shane SMELTZ (groin- 1 week)
