Reigning champions Adelaide United is the next hurdle that lies in front of Perth Glory as it eyes off a top four finish in the Hyundai A-League.
Glory heads into the Round 19 encounter sitting in fifth spot but full of confidence after a strong 3-2 win at home against the Newcastle Jets last week.
Adelaide sit in last spot, however coach Kenny Lowe knows only too well the challenge of heading to Coopers stadium to face a desperate United.
“I think desperate people do desperate things, so you’ve got to be wary” he cautioned.
“They’re a better side than the position gives them credit for….so like any other A-league game, it’s a tough game. We went to Central Coast who were one above them the other week, and that was a tough game.
But at the same time the coach knows a win is vital to keep the positive momentum going amongst the group.
“We need to go there and win if we’ve got any aspirations, we need to go there and get a result” he urged.”
Defender Shane Lowry will miss this week’s encounter due to a quad strain and Rhys Williams will most likely be starting the match.
Veteran ‘keeper Liam Reddy will also make a return to the first 11, but it wasn’t an easy decision for the coach.
“I chatted with Liam and Nick (Feely) today and it wasn’t a straight forward decision to be truthful. Nick made it really really difficult which is good, cause what that does then is put Liam on notice that someone wants his place,”.
“So seems to be that we’re in a good spot with regards to our goalkeepers, so fair play to Nic with what he’s done but obviously I’m gonna jump to experience with Liam.”
Lowe conceded while home form had been solid this season, the team’s away form needed improvement.
“We haven’t pulled any trees up away from home so we need to go and get a performance and get a win.”
“We seem to be in a good vein of form so people above us are within touching distance so really, if you want to have the aspiration of a home final or to kick-on a lot further up the league, then you’ve got to win your games and it doesn’t matter if they’re home or away.”
Win, lose or draw the team will be back in Perth in full force for the massive W-League Grand Final on Sunday February 12, between Perth and Melbourne City at nib Stadium which Lowe praised the efforts of the Women’s team this year.
“Chuffed for Bobby (Despotovski) and Sammy (Kerr) and all the girls, it’s brilliant. They went close a couple of times and hopefully they get a good run especially Sammy she’s on fire…she’ll probably get a game for us”, he joked.
Kick-off to the women’s game is at 4.30pm at nib Stadium and tickets can be purchased HERE.
Glory’s clash against Adelaide kicks-off at 4.50 WST.
MATCH STATS: Adelaide vs Perth
- Perth Glory will be looking for back-to-back wins against Adelaide for the first time since March 2012 (four games) after a commanding 3-1 victory when these teams met last November.
- Adelaide United are undefeated in their last six home games against Perth Glory (W4, D2), conceding only two goals in their last four such fixtures.
- In fact, Adelaide will be looking to take points from three consecutive home games for the first time this season (W1, D1) and have scored exactly two goals in each of their last two games at home.
- Perth Glory have won three and drawn one of their last five A-League fixtures, though each of those three victories came on home soil.
- Adelaide United have conceded 19 goals in the second half of matches this term; a league-high.
- Perth Glory have a cross accuracy of 31.8%, the best of any team, while their 111 successful crosses are the second-most of any team in the competition.
- Eugene Galekovic needs just one more stop for his 50th save so far this season.
- Nebojsa Marinkovic has a crossing accuracy of 41.3%, the best of any player who has registered at least 20 successful crosses so far this season.
MATCH DETAILS
Friday, 10 February 2017
Adelaide United v Perth Glory
Coopers Stadium, Adelaide
Kick-Off: 7:20PM (Local) (7:50PM (AEDT)
Referee: Chris Beath
Assistant Referee 1: Matthew Cream
Assistant Referee 2: Paul Cetrangolo
Fourth Official: Daniel Elder
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on Fox Sports 505 from 7.00pm (AEDT), SBS VICELAND from 7.30pm (AEDT) and Sky Sport 4 (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast: ABC Adelaide, ABC Radio SA, Grandstand Digital Online & via the ABC Radio Mobile App – A-league Live, Crocmedia A-League Live (www.facebook.com/A-leagueLIVERadio)
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #ADLvPER
Adelaide United squad: 2.Michael MARRONE, 3.Iacopo LA ROCCA, 4.Dylan McGOWAN, 5.Taylor REGAN, 10.Marcelo CARRUSCA, 11.Sergio CIRIO, 12.Mark OCHIENG, 13.Marc MARINO, 14.George MELLS, 15.Ben WARLAND, 16.Jesse MAKAROUNAS, 17.Nikola MILEUSNIC, 18.Riley McGREE, 19.Ben GARUCCIO, 20.John HALL (gk), 21.Tarek ELRICH, 24.Jordan O’DOHERTY, 30.Daniel MARGUSH (gk)
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 14.George MELLS (promoted), 15.Ben WARLAND (promoted), 17.Nikola MILEUSNIC (promoted), 30.Daniel MARGUSH (gk) (promoted)
Outs: 1.Eugene GALEKOVIC (shoulder – indefinite), 8.Isaìas (suspended – 1 match)
Unavailable: 22.Ryan KITTO (hamstring – 6 weeks), 23.Jordan ELSEY (knee – season)
Perth Glory FC squad: 3.Marc WARREN, 5.Rhys WILLIAMS, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Joel CHIANESE, 8.Rostyn GRIFFITHS (c), 9.Andy KEOGH, 10.Nebojsa MARINKOVIC, 13.Nick FEELY (gk), 14.Chris HAROLD, 15.Brandon WILSON, 16.Joe MILLS, 17.Diego CASTRO, 19.Josh RISDON, 20.Aryn WILLIAMS, 22.Adam TAGGART, 23.Kosta PETRATOS, 24.Milan SMILJANIC, 33.Liam REDDY (gk)
**two to be omitted**
Ins 3.Marc WARREN (promoted), 20.Aryn WILLIAMS (promoted), 23.Kosta PETRATOS (promoted), 33.Liam REDDY (gk) (returns from suspension)
Out: 4.Shane LOWRY (quad – 1 week), 30.Jordan THURTELL (gk) (not selected)
Unavailable: 2.Alex GRANT (foot – 2 weeks), 18.Mitch OXBORROW (foot – 2 weeks)
