19-year old Gian Albano is bracing for a tough encounter against his old club when Perth Glory face off against Cockburn City at Inglewood Stadium on Saturday.
The Round 11 PS4 NPL WA clash comes on the back of a solid 2-2 draw against Sorrento at Percy Doyle Resevre last weekend.
Albano has been one of the many young Glory players making strides this season and paid tribute to the coaching staff.
“It’s been great knowing we can go into a game this season and know we can match it with whoever we are playing and I think the ladder doesn’t reflect how we have been playing,” he said.
“This has been because of the positive coaching staff and the team has really started to gel together this season, and I’m sure the results will turn soon.”
Albano started playing the game as a six-year-old at East Fremantle Tricolore Soccer Club and then moved to Cockburn City Soccer Club at the age of 12, before joining the Glory this season.
Saturday is a huge day as he goes up against his junior club, and one of his old Glory team mates in Harry O’Brien.
“This is my old club and I’m looking forward to playing against them, as all players do,” he said.
“They are a good team and think Harry scored a couple of goals last week so it looks like he is in a bit of form”.
“We have been playing very well and if we continue we can come away with the three points, which our performances in recent weeks deserve.”
Glory Coach Jacob Burns is expecting another tough encounter, but couldn’t be more pleased with the side in recent weeks.
“Cockburn who are sitting 5th on the ladder have a rich history of talent and have always produced strong well organised teams,” Burns said.
“Like every game this season we are expecting another fantastic challenge that myself, Steve McGarry and our players will relish in”.
“This time last week Steve and I had a hard time getting a team together with many of the 1st team players injured or suspended. With that came a wonderful opportunity to hand out four debuts and promote a total of 6 under 20’s players into our squad. This provided invaluable experience for the young guys and showed that many of them are developing well and have the ability to compete at this level”.
“A special mention must go out to Daniel Stynes, Michael McDougall, Alex Taneski and Thomas Pope all performing admirably in their first starts with the senior team” Burns added.
Kick-off is at 3pm at Inglewood Stadium.
The U-18s and the Reserves kick-off at 11am and 1pm respectively.
