Strong performances from experienced Perth Glory pair Jamie Harnwell and Jamie Coyne in a midweek intra-club match has convinced Coach Dave Mitchell that both are ready to return to action this Sunday against Gold Coast at ME Bank Stadium.
Strong performances from experienced Perth Glory pair Jamie Harnwell and Jamie Coyne in a midweek intra-club match has convinced Coach Dave Mitchell that both are ready to return to action this Sunday against Gold Coast at ME Bank Stadium.
Harnwell has recovered from a hamstring tear suffered late in pre-season while Coyne has been out since round one where he picked up a knee injury. Both have worked hard to get themselves back in match shape and the hit-out was a key test.
“The boys are fit and have had a good week or two of training. They both did well in the game and are looking sharp, it-s nice to have them available again for selection,” Mitchell said.
“We have a couple more training sessions this week which they-ll have to complete but at this stage they-re in my calculations to return on Sunday.”
Striker Eugene Dadi is Mitchell-s other inclusion to the squad which lost narrowly to Central Coast in Canberra. Dadi, who scored 10 goals last season, has been biding his time on the sidelines but could make a return if Mitchell opts to fight fire with fire in a goal scoring feast.
Gold Coast tops the chats with 12 goals this season while Perth has allowed their opponents the second fewest shots on goal in the opening five rounds and will again need to ensure their miserly defence can limit the number opportunities the visitors are able to get away.
“I think we’ve been able to form a strong defence and at home it is important that we don-t let opposition sides get on the scoreboard and get that confidence in a foreign environment,” Mitchell said.
“We’re getting better as a team week in week out and we’re looking forward to the challenge and securing three points on Sunday.
“Gold Coast will be coming over here with a lot of confidence after a great start to the season and have quality players across the park but we have been good at home and are determined to continue that form line.”
Perth has shown this season they-re not afraid to win back the hard ball and are the league-s best in effective tackles. Skipper Jacob Burns heads the list with a Hyundai A-League high 26 effective tackles while midfield teammate Adriano Pellegrino and young defender Scott Neville sit in the top five players across the league.
Perth also leads the competition in tackling efficiency with central defensive pairing Chris Coyne and Andy Todd top performers in that category. The hard nut stoppers have formed a terrific partnership at the back and Sunday will be an enthralling battle against the attacking prowess of Gold Coast.
“No doubt Gold Coast has a very good blend and is potent up front. You have to be mindful of their strike force and defensively they’ve been solid, but as Newcastle showed Gold Coast are not infallible and we’ll be looking to take the game to them.”
Hyundai A-League 2009/10 – Rd 6
Perth Glory v Gold Coast United
Sunday, 13 September 2009
ME Bank Stadium, Perth
Local kick-off: 3.00pm (5.00pm AEST)
Referee: Matthew Breeze
Match broadcast on Fox Sports 1.
Club radio broadcast partner 6PR 882AM – www.6pr.com.au – click here to listen.
To purchase tickets visit www.ticketmaster.com.au – click here.
Perth Glory Squad: 1.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 3.Jamie COYNE, 4.Andy TODD, 5.Jamie HARNWELL, 6.Chris COYNE, 7.Jacob BURNS (c), 8.Victor SIKORA, 10.Wayne SRHOJ, 11.Branko JELIC, 14.Eugene DADI, 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17.Todd HOWARTH, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 20.Aleks VRTESKI (gk), 21.Mile STERJOVSKI, 24.Matthew MAYORA, 25.AMARAL
*two to be omitted*
In: Jamie COYNE (return from injury), Jamie HARNWELL (return from injury), Eugene DADI (promoted)
Out: Scott NEVILLE (virus – 1 week)
Unavailable: Jimmy DOWNEY (knee – 1 week)
Gold Coast United Squad: 20.Scott HIGGINS (gk), 2.Steve PANTELIDIS, 3.Michael THWAITE, 4.Daniel PIORKOWSKI, 5.ROBSON, 7.Zenon CARAVELLA, 9.Shane SMELTZ, 10.Jason CULINA (capt), 11.MILSON, 13.Bas VAN DEN BRINK, 15.Tahj MINNIECON, 16.Kristian REES, 22.Adama TRAORE, 23.Steve FITZSIMMONS, 24.ANDERSON, 40.Robbie BAJIC.
*one to be omitted*
In: Jason CULINA (return from international duty), Daniel PIORKOWSKI (promoted), Steve FITZSIMMONS (promoted).
Out: Matt OSMAN (hip injury – 2 weeks), Joel PORTER (calf injury – 3 weeks).
Unavailable: JEFFERSON (knee injury – 4 weeks), Jess VANSTRATTAN (ankle injury – 2 weeks)
