Perth Glory recruits Travis Dodd and Adam Hughes both agree they’re looking forward to playing Adelaide United in the first week of the 2011/12 Hyundai A-League season.
Perth Glory recruits Travis Dodd and Adam Hughes both agree they-re looking forward to playing Adelaide United in the first week of the 2011/12 Hyundai A-League season.
As the 27 week draw was revealed today, the blockbuster was confirmed, with Perth Glory to host the Reds on Sunday, October 9 at nib Stadium.
“It-s going to be a big game, especially for myself and Hughesy, but in saying that you can-t let emotion get the better of you,” Dodd, the former Adelaide captain said.
“I-m happy that we are playing them in the first game.
“I want to beat them as much as any other team in the league.
“I am certainly going to give it my all, now that I-m with Glory, and make sure we get the three points for the first game.
“We are still a long way from that game but it-s certainly one I am looking forward to,” Dodd added.
With 10 teams in the competition, each team will play each other three times with the regular season ending on March 25.
“Overall the first half of the season makes it hard for us with so many games away from home and on the road,” Paul Kelly, Perth Glory Chief Executive said.
“The flip side is the second half gives us a better balance and a good run home.
“We are now looking forward to October 9,” Kelly added.
Key parts of the 2011/12 Hyundai A-League draw include:
**Season 7 takes the Hyundai A-League into ‘clear air- – October launch and April Grand Final means greater visibility in a crowded sports landscape
**The regular season has an improved ‘week in, week out- tempo – 27 Rounds with 13 home games for each club spread over 25 weeks
**Mid-week games will be more family friendly – clustered in the December to January summer holidays with the number of mid-week games reduced from 30 to 10
**Innovation – the ‘Hyundai A-League Marathon- – 5 games back-to-back on 4 January, 2012
**Regional matches – five matches will be played in ‘developing market- or ‘new regions- to give more regions in Australia a taste of live Hyundai A-League action and assist to broaden community visibility and engagement with the Hyundai A-League
