It’s a ‘Distance Derby’ in Perth, and with a posse of Phoenix stars returning the visitors will be all guns blazing against a Glory outfit still stinging from their second half fiasco last week.
MATCH DETAILS
Sunday, 16 October 2016
nib Stadium, Perth
Kick-Off: 4:00PM (Local) (7:00PM (AEDT))
Referee: Daniel Elder
Assistant Referee 1: Josh Mannella
Assistant Referee 2: Matthew Southern
Fourth Official: Adam Fielding
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on Fox Sports 505 from 7.00pm (AEDT) and Sky Sport 2 (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast: 720 ABC Perth, ABC Local Radio WA, Grandstand Digital & via the ABC Radio Mobile App – A-league Live, Crocmedia A-League Live (www.facebook.com/A-
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #PERvWEL
To purchase tickets visit www.aleague.com.au
Perth Glory squad: 2.Alex GRANT, 3.Marc WARREN, 5.Rhys WILLIAMS, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 8.Rostyn GRIFFITHS (c), 9.Andy KEOGH, 10.Nebojsa MARINKOVIC, 13.Nicholas FEELY (gk), 14.Chris HAROLD, 15.Brandon WILSON, 16.Joe MILLS, 17.Diego CASTRO, 18.Mitch OXBORROW, 19.Josh RISDON, 22.Adam TAGGART, 24.Milan SMILJANIC, 28.Joe KOWLES, 33.Liam REDDY (gk)
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 16.Joe MILLS, 18.Mitch OXBORROW
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 4.Shane LOWRY (hip)
Wellington Phoenix squad: 1.Glen MOSS (gk), 2.Jacob TRATT, 4.Roly BONEVACIA, 5.Ryan LOWRY, 7.Gui FINKLER, 8.Alex RODRIGUEZ, 9.Kosta BARBAROUSES, 10.Michael MCGLINCHEY, 11.Hamish WATSON, 12.Adam PARKHOUSE, 13.Marco ROSSI, 14.Alex RUFER, 17.Vince LIA, 19.Tom DOYLE, 20.Lewis ITALIANO (gk), 21 Roy KRISHNA, 22.Andrew DURANTE (c), 23.Matthew RIDENTON
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 9.Kosta BARBAROUSES (returns from international duty), 10.Michael McGLINCHEY (returns from international duty), 19.Tom DOYLE (returns from injury), 22.Andrew DURANTE (returns from international duty), 23.Matthew RIDENTON (returns from international duty)
Outs: 6.Dylan FOX (omitted), 24.Logan ROGERSON (omitted), 26.Jack-Henry SINCLAIR (omitted)
Unavailable: Nil
BLUFFER’S GUIDE
It’s only Round 2, but after failing to pick up wins at home on the opening weekend, both Glory and Phoenix will be desperate for three points to kick start their respective campaigns.
Kenny Lowe will have been drumming into his side the importance of playing for 90 minutes after the debacle of Round 1’s second half fadeout.
It was a harsh lesson learned. The result will still be burning Glory’s players so expect them to come out breathing fire in front on ‘The Shed’.
Last week, Wellington’s understudies showed some encouraging signs against Melbourne City, despite ultimately ending in a defeat.
They will be boosted by the return of skipper Andrew Durante, Kosta Barbarouses, Michael McGlinchey and Matthew Ridenton from All Whites duty.
It immediately gives them more threat going forward but also a far steelier look in defence, with Durante’s partnership with Italian Marco Rossi at the back particularly strong.
OPTA DATA
Hyundai A-League Rd 2 Opta Stats preview
ROUTE TO GOAL
Glory gave us a glimpse last weekend of just how potent their front four can be.
Adam Taggart’s combination up top with Andy Keogh already looks like it has a heap of goals in it and – if not for a few big saves from Ivan Necevski – Glory would have scored a hatful.
With Diego Castro resuming where he left off last season, plus the searing speed of Chris Harold on the right, there’s a lot to like about Perth’s goal-scoring options.
But Wellington should be able to go to the #NixLevel this weekend as well.
Merrick will welcome back Kosta Barbarouses and Michael McGlinchey to his front third, joining Roy Krishna, Gui Finkler and Roly Bonevacia.
Phoenix midfielder Vince Lia thinks that’s the best front five in the Hyundai A-League. Let’s see if that rings true in the West on Sunday.
WHO’S BEEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT THIS WEEK?
Adam Taggart. Two goals on his return to the Hyundai A-League last Saturday night. Is he going to be a contender for the golden boot again?
FORM LINES
Glory will still be wondering how they let two points slip against the Mariners, squandering a three-goal lead to draw 3-3.
An under-strength Phoenix toiled valiantly against a 10-man Melbourne City but fell just short, losing 1-0 at Westpac Stadium.
PREDICTION
Perth Glory 2-2 Wellington Phoenix
