Glory Coach Dave Mitchell is preparing to unleash his five key off-season signings together for the first time as Perth get set to kick start their season with a bang.
Glory Coach Dave Mitchell is preparing to unleash his five key off-season signings together for the first time as Perth get set to kick start their season with a bang.
The arrival of Socceroos trio Mile Sterjovski, Jacob Burns and Chris Coyne alongside Derby defender Andy Todd and Bundesliga striker Branko Jelic has been a huge coup for Perth and they-ll all be at Mitchell-s disposal on Friday evening against Adelaide at Hindmarsh Stadium.
Visa delays and niggling injuries conspired to limit the amount of time the new boys have spent together on the pitch however all are ready to go for an important first round meeting against last season-s grand finalists.
“Everyone is eager to get onto the pitch and start playing for points,” Mitchell said.
“The new boys have each had varying levels of preparation for this match but with their experience and class I don-t think it-ll take long for them to gel together with the rest of the lads.
“We know it will be a tough match, Adelaide are a well drilled unit and have a great record at their home ground but we are focused on making a strong start.”
Mitchell has kept his cards close to his chest ahead of the match by opting to take an extended travelling party of 16 to Adelaide, all of whom made it through the club-s final session on Thursday.
“Having options is a terrific dilemma to have,” Mitchell said.
“There are quite a few players playing in the league for the first time. They-ve heard a lot about the A-League, particularly the Socceroos who have come back, and are looking forward to performing well and producing good results for us,” said Mitchell.
Adelaide United v Perth Glory
Friday, 7 August 2009 at Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Kick-off 6.00pm (AWST)
Referee: Craig Zetter
Live & exclusive broadcast on Fox Sports 1. Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is LIFE FM, 6PR (Perth) 882AM.
Perth Glory Squad: 1.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 3.Jamie COYNE, 4.Andy TODD, 6.Chris COYNE, 7.Jacob BURNS (c), 8.Victor SIKORA, 9.Todd HOWARTH, 11.Branko JELIC, 12.Scott NEVILLE, 14.Eugene DADI, 15.Howard FONDYKE, 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 20.Aleks VRTESKI (gk), 21.Mile STERJOVSKI, 23.Andrija JUKIC
* one to be omitted
Unavailable: Jimmy DOWNEY (knee – 6 weeks), Jamie HARNWELL (hamstring – 3 weeks), Wayne SRHOJ (hamstring – 1 week), Scott BULLOCH (achilles – 2 weeks), Anthony SKORICH (hip – 8 weeks)
Adelaide United Squad: 1.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 2.Robert CORNTHWAITE, 3.ALEMAO, 4.Iain FYFE, 6.CASSIO, 7.Lucas PANTELIS, 9.CRISTIANO, 10.Adam HUGHES, 11.Lloyd OWUSU, 12.Paul REID, 13.Travis DODD (c), 14.Scott JAMIESON, 15.Francesco MONTEROSSO, 16.Inseob SHIN, 17.Michael MARRONE, 23.Joe COSTA, 30.Daniel GODLEY (gk).
* two to be omitted
In: Daniel GODLEY (gk) (short term contract)
Unavailable: 5.Daniel MULLEN (hamstring – 3 weeks), 8.Kristian SARKIES (calf – 2 weeks), 18.Fabian BARBIERO (groin – 2 weeks), 20.Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk) (international duty)
