Perth Glory youth will be facing their toughest challenge yet as they go head-to-head with Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium this weekend.
Perth Glory youth will be facing their toughest challenge yet as they go head-to-head with Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium this weekend.
After snaring top spot in a solid performance against Brisbane Roar last week, Perth will be hungry for a win as they face third-placed Adelaide on Sunday.
When the two teams met last, Perth had the better chances all day, but the Reds snapped up the win in the dying minutes of the match thanks to a timely goal from Francesco Monterosso.
The Glory youngsters are yet to take all three points against the Reds this season but Captain Steve Hesketh says the boys are confident they can get one up on them this weekend.
“Last time we played them we felt pretty hard done by. I think you always feel that way after losing games but on that day especially we felt as though we were the better team on the park.
“This time around we-ll be there to do what we failed to do last time,” Hesketh said.
The tough tackling defender says this week will be a defining moment for the squad, who are chasing their first finals appearance.
“Every game is important to us each week but winning the next two games are vital to our overall success this season.
“We know that if we can get the points in our last two games, especially away against Adelaide, then we-ll definitely be in contention to win the league.
“Going into the finals the lads and I are really excited. It-s been our ultimate goal to finish on top and that-s why we-re playing the way we are,” Hesketh said.
Led by Hesketh, Perth-s defence has been the back bone of the squad and the uncompromising young gun says the team-s triumphant season has come from a lot of hard work and discipline.
A solid performer at centre back each week, Hesketh concedes that while he-s had a strong season personally, it-s the efforts of the entire squad that has got them into top spot.
“We-ve been doing really well this season going forward and scoring goals and I think we-ve been so successful because we-re very well structured and we haven-t conceded many goals either.
“I think I-ve had quite a solid season but having said that I think all the lads have, it has definitely been a big team effort.
“We-ve all got that mentality that we-re going to win this and it-s just a matter of training hard and being there at the end,” Hesketh said.
The squad will be out to capitalise on Sunday-s game as they head into a break next weekend, which gives other teams a chance to play a catch up game. Three points will ensure Perth sits comfortably on top of the table.
“This week is definitely important, especially because we-ve got a bye next week and a few of the other teams have a game in hand but we-re travelling pretty well at the moment and that breeds confidence into the squad,” Hesketh said.
National Youth League: Round 25
Adelaide United v Perth Glory
Sunday 21 February 2010 at Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Local Kick-Off: 12.30pm
Referee:Stephen Toth
Coverage: from 12.00pm (AWST) on information radio 990am.
Perth Glory Squad: Tommy AMPHLETT, Ludovic BOI, Tim DOYLE (gk), Hayden DOYLE, Dean EVANS, Howard FONDYKE, Brent GRIFFITHS, Steve HESKETH, Mario MARCINKO, Sam MITCHINSON, Alex PEARSON (gk), Ryan PEARSON, David PRICE, Joshua RISDON, Anthony SKORICH, Glen TRIFIRO, Reece VITTIGLIA
*two to be omitted*
Unavailable:Million BUTSHIIRE (knee – 4 weeks), Cameron Edwards (foot – 12 weeks)
Adelaide United Youth squad: Joel ALLWRIGHT, Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk), Andrew CIARLA, Michael DOYLE, Kingsley FRANCIS, Evan KOSTOPOULOS, Codey LARKIN (gk), Dane MILOVANOVIC, Perry MITRIS, Francesco MONTEROSSO, Matthew MULLEN (c), Nick MUNRO (gk), Inseob SHIN, Alex SUNASKY, Liam WOODING, Joe WRIGHT
*one to be omitted*
Unavailable: Nathan FARRELL (ankle – season)
