Perth Glory’s Youth Team has called on the strength and depth of Western Australia’s young football talent to bolster their squad ahead of a clash with Queensland at Suncorp Stadium.
Perth Glory-s Youth Team has called on the strength and depth of Western Australia-s young football talent to bolster their squad ahead of a clash with Queensland at Suncorp Stadium.
Glory has been hit with a number of injuries to squad players and has been unable to call on Perth-s senior side to fill the gaps with the A-League team also needing all hands on deck this weekend.
Coach Gareth Naven has added Eli Babalj (striker) and Trent Sainsbury (defender) to his travelling party and believes they will be strong contributors in Sunday-s match.
“Injuries are something the team has to deal with and it opens the door for some of the young players we-re looking at in the coming years to experience and learn about the National Youth League,” Naven said.
Both Babalj and Sainsbury are part of the National Training Centre program and have represented Australia at U16 level.
Goal keeper Frank Juric is the only over-age player listed for the Glory who will be looking to consolidate their top four place with a win against the Roar who are two points above them in third.
Glory-s attack had several near misses in front of goal last weekend and has spent time sharpening their finishing skills at training this week. For many of the young West Aussies it will be the first time they-ve stepped foot inside Suncorp Stadium but Naven said it is a venue conducive to good football and is looking forward to the challenge.
“I-ve been fortunate enough to have played there and it-s a great surface and a great environment,” said Naven.
“Each week we-ve been faced with new challenges and the boys have risen to meet them head on. I wouldn-t expect anything different on Sunday.”
Queensland Roar v Perth Glory
Sunday 23 November at Suncorp Stadium
Kick off 1.15pm (AWDT)
Referee: Nathan MacDonald
Perth Glory squad: Dejan ALEKSIC (gk), Eli BABALJ, Ludovic BOI, Hayden DOYLE, Howard FONDYKE, Lewis HALL, Steven HESKETH, Andrija JUKIC, Frank JURIC (gk), Adam LUCA, Scott NEVILLE, Trent SAINSBURY, James SAMMUT, Anthony SKORICH, Reece VITTIGLIA
Queensland Roar squad: Griffin McMASTER (gk) (OA), Matt ACTON, Daniel BOWLES, Brad McDONALD, Mitchell BEVAN, Michael RYAN, Tyler THURTELL, William TUMUSIIME, Josh McVEY, Luke BRATTAN, Ben GRIFFIN, Tommy OAR, Isaka CERNAK, Michael ANGUS
