Perth Glory has turned their frustration at conceding a late goal last weekend into a steely resolve as they prepare for a pivotal clash against Brisbane Roar on Sunday.
Perth Glory has turned their frustration at conceding a late goal last weekend into a steely resolve as they prepare for a pivotal clash against Brisbane Roar on Sunday.
Coach Dave Mitchell said training this week has been committed and intense and is confident of breaking through for a maiden win at Suncorp Stadium.
“The attitude has been terrific and everyone is really determined to get the job done this week,” Mitchell said.
“Every away game we-ve played we-ve been in the game and some of the results have been a bit unlucky but we know we have to be focused and hard nosed about the job at hand and that-s what I-ve seen in the preparations this week.”
Mitchell has made only one change to his squad with outstanding young defender Scott Neville returning after recovering from a virus that kept him out of last Sunday-s 2-2 clash against Gold Coast.
Brazilian midfielder Amaral has travelled early and will play with the club-s Youth Team on Friday in Brisbane. The hit-out will allow Amaral to gain some much needed match time before linking up with the senior team on their arrival into the Queensland capital.
“Amaral hasn-t played a lot of minutes for a while so it is important that he gets that match fitness into his legs and he can do that with the Youth Team. He is still part of my plans and will remain in Brisbane after their match with the view to being available on Sunday as well,” Mitchell said.
A final decision on goalkeeper Tando Velaphi-s involvement in the match is still to be made as the young gun stopper tries to shake off the effects of a concussion sustained in the final minutes of last Sunday-s match.
“It is a waiting game with Tando and we have to see what the doctor advises,” Mitchell said.
“If Tando can-t get up for the game then we have Alex (Vrteski) ready to go and he has been working really hard to ensure he can step in at any stage and we might need to call on him this week.”
Perth-s performances at Suncorp Stadium belie the fact the club is yet to secure a win in six outings at the venue. Mitchell said Glory will be on full alert against a Brisbane side who, despite missing a number of players through international duty and injury, have hit red-hot form.
“While they will have some handy players missing for this game they have great depth and will call on the experience of guys like Craig Moore and Charlie Miller. They-re a formidable outfit regardless of who is out there,” Mitchell said.
“Sometime when you have new players come in they want to show their worth so it evens things up. Frank is a good coach and they-re coming off a good win so it will be a very tough contest for us.
“We-re up for the challenge thou and go into any match thinking that we can get the job done. We need to turn things around on the road and that starts this weekend.”
Hyundai A-League 2009/10 – Rd 7
Brisbane Roar v Perth Glory
Sunday, 20 September 2009 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 3.00pm (AWST)
Referee: Chris Beath
Club radio broadcast partner 6PR 882AM – www.6pr.com.au – click here to listen.
Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Liam REDDY (gk), 4. Craig MOORE (c), 5. Josh McCLOUGHAN, 6. David DODD, 9. Sergio VAN DIJK, 10. Charlie MILLER, 11. REINALDO, 12. Matt MUNDY, 13. HENRIQUE, 14. Adam SAROTA, 16. Bob MALCOLM, 18. Danny TIATTO, 19. Isaka CERNAK, 20. Griffin McMASTER (gk), 23. Tim SMITS, 27. Ivan FRANJIC.
*one to be omitted*
In: David DODD (promoted), Tim SMITS (promoted), Adam SAROTA (promoted), Matt MUNDY (promoted)
Out: Tommy OAR (international duty), Luke DEVERE (international duty), Mitch NICHOLS (international duty), Danny TIATTO (groin injury – 1/2 weeks)
Unavailable: Andrew PACKER (adductor – 1/2 weeks), Massimo MURDOCCA (fractured leg – 3/4 months), Matt McKAY (medial ligament – 6/8 weeks), Michael ZULLO (Hip flexor – 1/2 weeks)
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, 12.Scott NEVILLE, 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17.Todd HOWARTH, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 20.Aleks VRTESKI (gk), 21.Mile STERJOVSKI, 25.AMARAL
*one to be omitted*
In: 12.Scott NEVILLE (recovered from virus)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Nil
*Head-to-Head: Played 12: Brisbane Roar wins 9; Perth Glory wins 1; Drawn 2
