Dino Djulbic, will lead Perth Glory FC against Melbourne City in tonight’s Westfield FFA Cup Semi-Final blockbuster at nib Stadium.
The 32-year old towering defender has been appointed captain by the club’s coaching staff and will take over the reins from suspended skipper Richard Garcia, who was sent off in Sunday’s Hyundai A-League clash against Wellington Phoenix.
“It’s an honour to captain your club, in your home city and state, especially as we are wearing the state colours and flying the flag for WA” Djulbic said.
It will be the first time Djulbic will start a football match in his senior career wearing the captain’s armband but the WA raised centre-back said the only thing that mattered was a result in Glory’s favour.
“This is our final, we’re playing it like a final and everyone has to be at the top of their game” he said.
Glory goalkeeper Ante Covic echoed Djulbic’s comments.
“It’s do-or-die. There’s no second chances or wait till the following week, we have to put it all out and get through the game and get to that final” he said.
“The FFA Cup is right here, right now. That’s the first piece of silverware available. We’ve got lofty heights to reach in the A-League, we believe in ourselves. But first things first, there’s a final up for grabs. And you want to go for silverware when it’s available.”
Melbourne City comes into the match with just one point through their first two Hyundai A-League fixtures, but have been firing on all cylinders in attack with 15 goals in five matches across all competitions, including 12 goals in three cup matches.
According to Covic the danger-man for the visitors has been Socceroo Aaron Mooy, with six cup goals in three games. He needs just one more goal in this year’s Cup to set a record for most goals scored in a single-season of FFA Cup action.
“He’s been in red-hot form this season so far and has scored a few goals in the Cup. So he’s definitely one we have to keep an eye on” Covic said of his former Western Sydney Wanderers teammate.
If Glory wins it will be the only team to have qualified for consecutive FFA Cup finals.
The Club has submitted an application to host the Final in Perth if it advances.
Tonight’s match kicks-off at 6.30pm.
MATCH DETAILS
Wednesday 21 October 2015
Perth Glory v Melbourne City FC
Nib Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 6:30pm local (9:30pm AEDT)
Referee: Shaun Evans
Assistant Referee 1: George Lakrindis
Assistant Referee 2: Josh Mannella
Fourth Official: Matthew Southern
TV Broadcast: Live and exclusive on FOX SPORTS 505 from 9:00pm (AEDT)
Radio Broadcast: ABC Grandstand Digital, online & via the ABC Radio Mobile App
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #PERvMCY
Perth Glory FC squad: 1.Ante COVIC (gk), 2.Alex Grant, 3.Marc WARREN, 5.Antony GOLEC, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Gyorgy SANDOR, 10.Nebojsa MARINKOVIC, 12.Jerrad TYSON (gk), 13.Diogo FERREIRA, 14.Chris HAROLD, 15.Hagi GLIGOR, 16.Sidnei SCIOLA, 17.Diego CASTRO, 18.Mitch OXBORROW, 19.Josh RISDON, 20.Guyon FERNANDEZ, 21.Stefan VALENTINI, 23.Michael THWAITE
**Two to be omitted**
Unavailable: 8.Ruben ZADKOVICH (knee – indefinite), 11.Richard GARCIA (suspended)
Melbourne City FC squad: 1.Thomas SORENSEN (gk), 4.Connor CHAPMAN, 6.Erik PAARTALU, 8.Aaron MOOY, 15.David WILLIAMS, 16.Jason TRIFIRO, 17.Wade DEKKER, 18.Paulo RETRE, 19.Ben GARUCCIO, 20.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 21.Stefan MAUK, 22.Jack CLISBY, 23.Bruno FORNAROLI, 24.Patrick KISNORBO, 25.Jacob MELLING, 28.Steve KUZMANOVSKI, 34.Stefan ZINNI, 36.Matt MILLER
**Two to be omitted**
Unavailable: 3.Aaron HUGHES (calf – 1 week), 5.Ivan FRANJIC (quad – 3-5 weeks), 7.Corey GAMEIRO (suspended – 1 match – accumulation), 9.Harry NOVILLO (hamstring – 2-3 weeks), 10.Robert KOREN (calf – 2 weeks), 11.Michael ZULLO (calf – 3-4 weeks), 14.James BROWN (foot – TBC), 26.Marc MARINO (knee – 3 months)
