Perth Glory is set to receive a massive boost of experience and class when they tackle Sydney on Sunday at Members Equity Stadium with Brazilian midfield dynamo Amaral and former Socceroos defender Hayden Foxe returning to action.
Perth Glory is set to receive a massive boost of experience and class when they tackle Sydney on Sunday at Members Equity Stadium with Brazilian midfield dynamo Amaral and former Socceroos defender Hayden Foxe returning to action.
Amaral will be injected directly into the starting line-up where he excelled for the club in the opening four rounds before suffering a hamstring strain. The former Brazilian international has been a standout performer on the training track this week and is eager to again stamp his authority on the Hyundai A-League.
Meanwhile Foxe has made a strong recovery from a foot injury that has kept him on the sidelines since the start of the season and will add a steadying influence to the club-s defence which has come under fire in the opening seven rounds.
“Amaral was very important for us earlier this season while Foxey brings a lot of experience into defence so if they-re fit and ready it will be a positive for us,” said Coach Dave Mitchell.
“It-s nice to be getting players back and I think the break has been good for us. It-ll be a tough game against Sydney but one where we-ll be looking to bounce back in front of our home supporters.”
Mitchell has already flagged a change in goal with Olyroos ‘keeper Tando Velaphi handed the gloves while Argentinean attacking midfielder Adrian Trinidad and defender David Tarka have also been included in an extended squad.
It is the first time this season that Glory coaching staff have had the luxury of a near full strength squad albeit several players are still working their way to full match fitness.
“It-s good to have competition for places and everyone is looking over their shoulder knowing that if they don-t perform someone is ready to take their spot,” Mitchell said.
“We haven-t had that opportunity much this year so it-s nice and the players can respond to that.
“It is important that we get back on track with a really good performance against Sydney and we-d all love to see a big crowd there to help us bring back the glory,” said Mitchell.
Perth Glory v Sydney FC
Sunday 19 October at Members Equity Stadium
Kick off 2.00pm
Referee: Peter O-Leary
Tickets available NOW from Ticketmaster – click here to find out more
Match Radio Broadcast on 6PR 882am – click here to listen
Perth Glory Squad: 30.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 2.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, 3.David TARKA, 4.Jamie COYNE (c), 5.Jamie HARNWELL, 7.Nick RIZZO, 9.Adrian TRINIDAD, 10.AMARAL, 11.Scott BULLOCH, 13.Nikita RUKAVYTSYA, 14.Eugene DADI, 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17.James DOWNEY, 18.Hayden FOXE, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 20.Frank JURIC (gk), 22.Wayne SRHOJ.
* two to be omitted
In: 3.David TARKA (promoted), 9.Adrian TRINIDAD (promoted), 10.AMARAL (return from injury), 18.Hayden FOXE (return from injury).
Out: 26.Jeff BRIGHT (end of short term contract), 27.Stuart McLAREN (end of short term contract).
Unavailable: Dino DJULBIC (suspended – 1 week), Josip MAGDIC (ankle – season), James ROBINSON (abdomen – 9 weeks).
Sydney FC Squad: 1. Clint BOLTON (gk), 2. Iain FYFE, 3. Nikolas TSATTALIOS, 5. Mitchell PRENTICE, 6. Tony POPOVIC (c), 7. Rob MIDDLEBY, 8. Stuart MUSIALIK, 10. Steve CORICA, 11. Brendon SANTALAB, 12. Shannon COLE, 14. Alex BROSQUE, 15. Terry MCFLYNN, 18. Adam CASEY, 19. Mark BRIDGE, 20. Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 23. John ALOISI, 27. Matthew JURMAN.
*two to be omitted
In. Nikolas Tsattalios (return international duty), Matthew Jurman (return international duty).
Out.. Nil.
Unavailable. Simon Colosimo (groin – 7 weeks), Mike Enfield (knee – indefinite), Jacob Timpano (ankle – 2 weeks).
