Perth Glory FC will be looking to create Australian football history tonight (November 11) when it takes on Victorian NPL side Bentleigh Greens in the semi-final of the inaugural Westfield FFA Cup.
A win against the football minnows from Melbourne’s suburbs, will earn Perth Glory FC a spot in the first FFA Cup Final.
Perth coach Kenny Lowe said while the team was successful in breaking its 10-year hoo-doo by winning at Gosford against the Mariners on Sunday, which also helped the team return to the top of the Hyundai A-League ladder, he was quick to stress the boys were keeping level headed about what lied ahead.
“It’s nice and rosy when you think about it like that but the reality is we’re yet to achieve anything” Lowe said.
“We might be on top of the ladder, but at the end of the day the season is only five rounds young and there are many more games to be played” he said.
“We’ve always said we wanted to do well in the FFA Cup, but we’re not getting ahead of ourselves. We have a good opponent which is representing the state of Victoria and we can’t rest on our laurels, otherwise we’re in for a rude awakening”.
Perth Glory FC reached the semi-finals of the Cup competition after defeating the Newcastle Jets on the road (2-0), St Albans Saints (4-1) away, and Melbourne Victory (4-2) in extra-time at nib Stadium. Half of Perth’s FFA Cup goals came from striker Andy Keogh, who’s hoping the Cup momentum continues.
“It’s always a great feeling when you score, as a striker that’s your job, but the win is more important, that’s our aim” Keogh said.
“Hopefully we can progress to the FFA Cup Final and from there, win some silverware which the fans have been craving for so long” Keogh added.
Perth Glory FC will be without ‘Super-Sub’ Jamie Maclaren who’s on tour with the Olyroos in China, along with Glory reserve goal keeper Jack Duncan and young left back Riley Woodcock. Playmaker Mitch Nichols will also be missing from the line-up, after receiving a call from national coach Ange Postecoglou for the Socceroos friendly against Japan on November 18.
Lowe said while those players were a big loss, they weren’t make or break for the team.
“All those lads have done their bit this season and it’s because of their hard work on the pitch that they’ve caught the eye of the national coaches” Lowe said.
“Sure we’d love to have them in the squad on the night, but that’s why we’ve got the depth that we’ve got and it’s a good opportunity for some of the younger lads, perhaps to step up and show their stuff”.
Perth Glory FC will be flying the flag for WA, wearing the traditional yellow and black kit for tonight’s match at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex, which kicks-off at 7.30pm EST.
The other Westfield FFA Cup semi-final between Adelaide United and Central Coast will be played tomorrow night at Coopers Stadium in Adelaide.
Meanwhile tonight’s match will also mark the middle of a gruelling schedule for the West Australians. After the FFA Cup clash, Perth Glory FC will head home to prepare for what’s expected to be a tantalising clash against the Asian Champions, the Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday, November 15.
Tickets to the game are still available here.
Make sure you get your Perth Glory FC membership today.
Perth Glory FC: 1. Danny VUKOVIC (GK), 2. Jack CLISBY, 3. Brandon O’NEILL, 5. Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 6. Dino DJULBIC, 7. Youssouf HERSI, 9. Andy KEOGH, 10. Nebojsa MARINKOVIC, 11. Richard GARCIA, 13. Diogo FERREIRA, 14. Chris HAROLD , 19. Josh RISDON, 20. Daniel DE SILVA, 21. Scott JAMIESON, 22 Cameron EDWARDS 23. Michael THWAITE (C), 24. Matthew DAVIES, 30. Jordan THURTELL
