Perth Glory Youth will be hoping to turn the tables on Queensland this weekend after the Roar stormed home in their previous clash to snatch all three points.
Perth Glory Youth will be hoping to turn the tables on Queensland this weekend after the Roar stormed home in their previous clash to snatch all three points.
Glory youngsters Ryan Person and Ludovic Boi gave Perth a perfect start as they raced to a two goal lead in the opening quarter of an hour before the Queenslanders found the net three times in the second half in stifling conditions at Suncorp Stadium.
Perth are looking forward to playing in more pleasant weather this weekend following another heated exchange in Adelaide last week where the mercury touched 40 degrees and will be hoping that brings with it a change in fortunes on the score board following two losses on the trot.
“We were very flat last weekend against Adelaide and will certainly be looking for a much improved effort across the pitch on Saturday night,” Glory Youth Team Coach Gareth Naven said.
Goal keeper Dejan Aleksic returns between the posts after overcoming a wrist injury while Naven will also be able to call on the talented trio of Reece Vittiglia, Lewis Hall, and Steven Hesketh who are all eager to get back on the pitch after missing last weekend-s match.
The Glory received a blow with defender Scott Neville ruled out of their final two matches with a groin strain and they-ll also be missing the goal scoring prowess of Anthony Skorich who is suspended after receiving a red card against Adelaide.
Glory captain Andrija Jukic will be hoping to get amongst the goals with the talented midfielder and Skorich going toe to toe in the race for the golden boot.
“It has been a big week on the training track, Gareth has been working us hard after a very disappointing effort last weekend and the boys have responded well,” Jukic said.
“Hopefully I can score a couple against Queensland, I enjoy getting forward and having a crack and it-s a ground I know well after playing with Perth SC in the state league at BCG Stadium,” Jukic said.
Perth is fourth on the National Youth League ladder with two rounds remaining and can still play a decisive role in who will secure second spot, and a place in the final, with the Roar currently in third and needing a win to leapfrog second placed Adelaide.
National Youth League Rd20
Perth Glory v Queensland Roar
Saturday 7 February – BGC Stadium at Dorrien Gardens
Local kick off 5.00pm local (7.00pm AEDT)
Referee: David Costello
Perth Glory squad: Dejan ALEKSIC (gk), Ludovic BOI, Hayden DOYLE, Cameron EDWARDS, Dean EVANS, Howard FONDYKE, Lewis HALL, Steven HESKETH, Andrija JUKIC, Adam LUCA, Alex PEARSON (gk), Ryan PEARSON, Josh RISDON, James SAMMUT, Reece VITTIGLIA
Unavailable: Brent GRIFFITHS (groin – season), Liam HARVEY (quad – 1 week), Scott NEVILLE (groin – 2 weeks), Anthony SKORICH (suspended – 1 week)
Queensland Roar squad: Michael RYAN, Ben GRIFFIN (OA), William TUMUSIIME, Josh McVEY, Robbie KRUSE, Luke BRATTAN, Adam SAROTA, Luke DEVERE, Brad McDONALD, Matt ACTON (gk), Daniel BOWLES, Chris GROSSMAN, Matt MUNDY, Tim SMITS (OA)
Unavailable: Nil
