After dominating last weekend’s match but coming away empty handed Perth Glory coach Dave Mitchell believes his side can reap the rewards of their efforts when they tackle Central Coast at Members Equity Stadium on Saturday night.
After dominating last weekend-s match but coming away empty handed Perth Glory coach Dave Mitchell believes his side can reap the rewards of their efforts when they tackle Central Coast at Members Equity Stadium on Saturday night.
The match is the first of two crucial home fixtures for Perth that could shape their finals aspirations in season 2008/09.
Mitchell has included four fresh faces into the team with midfielders Amaral, Nick Rizzo and Scott Bulloch named as well as goal keeper Frank Juric who has made the switch with Jason Petkovic to give the veteran time on the pitch with the Youth Team.
Predictions of a shoot out could prove prophetic with Glory-s attack on song at home after scoring six goals in their past three games at Members Equity Stadium while Central Coast boast a strike force lead by Matt Simon who leads the league with eight goals.
“They-re a big powerful side with three quality strikers that can all score and will try and cause us problems,” said Mitchell.
“In turn we-ll be out to cause them plenty of problems at the other end,” Mitchell added.
Glory had clamped down defensively after leaking goals early in the season but saw four sneak through last weekend. Mitchell said the team remained confident of closing teams down and had spent considerable time this week addressing the attacking threat posed by the Mariners.
“Over the last month of so we-ve been in better shape defensively but unfortunately conceded four goals last week. We-ve looked at where those goals came from, two were from us chasing the game in the second half, one was a penalty and the other came when we were feeling sorry for ourselves.
“It-s a situation where we want to keep a clean sheet and if we can do that and put pressure on Central Coast at the other end then we-ll go a long way to winning the game.
“The home fans have really been behind us and it gives everyone a lift. We-ve played some good football at home and will be putting everything on the line to get all three points on Saturday.
“I don-t mind if it is a shootout as long as it-s in our favour,” Mitchell said with a smile.
Unbeaten in their past four matches at home there is plenty to like about Perth Glory-s chances this weekend and the club is offering a great opportunity for all of their young supporters to be part of the action with a ‘KIDS FOR FREE- promotion.
All children under 16 are eligible and just simply need to grab their ticket from Gate 1 on match day. Click here to find out more about our Kids for Free promotion
Donations for Movember will be collected at all stadium entry points and the club is urging fans to help this worthy cause. Guys Grooming will doing trims in the Members Bar (Gareth Naven Room) and a best ‘Mo- comp will take place at half time.
Perth Glory-s Youth Team will play in a curtain raiser against the Central Coast Youth side – kick-off at 3.15pm.
HYUNDAI A-LEAGUE RD13
Perth Glory v Central Coast Mariners
Saturday 29 November at Members Equity Stadium, Perth
Local kick off 6.00pm AWDT (8.00pm AEDT)
Referee: Peter O-Leary
To purchase tickets visit www.ticketmaster.com.au
Match Radio Broadcast on 6PR 882am – click here to listen
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1 and Sky Sport 2.
Perth Glory Squad: 30.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 2.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, 3.David TARKA, 4.Jamie COYNE (c), 5.Jamie HARNWELL, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Nick RIZZO, 9.Adrian TRINIDAD, 10.AMARAL, 11.Scott BULLOCH, 13.Nikita RUKAVYTSYA, 14.Eugene DADI, 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17.James DOWNEY, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 20.Frank JURIC (gk), 22.Wayne SRHOJ, 25.Marc ANTHONY
*three to be omitted
In: Nick RIZZO (return from injury), AMARAL (return from injury), Scott BULLOCH (return from injury), Frank JURIC (promoted)
Out: Jason PETKOVIC (omitted)
Unavailable: Josip MAGDIC (ankle – season), James ROBINSON (abdomen – 5 weeks), Hayden FOXE (leg – 2 weeks)
Central Coast Mariners Squad: 2.Andre GUMPRECHT, 5.Bradley PORTER, 6.David D’APUZZO, 7.John HUTCHINSON, 8.Dean HEFFERNAN, 9.Nik MRDJA, 10.Adrian CACERES, 11.Dylan MACALLISTER, 12.Greg OWENS, 13.Paul O’GRADY, 15.Andrew CLARK, 16.Nigel BOOGAARD, 17.Matthew OSMAN, 18.Alex WILKINSON (c), 19.Matt SIMON, 20.Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 22.Sasho PETROVSKI, 23.Mile JEDINAK, 26.Chris TADROSSE, 30.Andrew REDMAYNE (gk)
*five to be omitted
In: Dean HEFFERNAN (Returns from Injury), Greg OWENS (Returns from Injury), Paul O’GRADY (Returns from Injury), Andrew CLARK (Returns from Injury), Chris TADROSSE (Promoted), 6.David D’APUZZO (promoted)
Out: Pedj BOJIC (Suspended – 1 week)
Unavailable: Ahmad ELRICH (Knee – Season)
