Match Preview: Glory host City in another blockbuster at nib Stadium

Two finals bound teams meet in Perth in what is shaping up to be an intriguing encounter full of action.

With a place in the Hyundai A-League finals for season 2016-2017 secured after last weekend following a commanding 3-1 triumph over Brisbane Roar, Glory’s attention now shifts to FFA Cup champions Melbourne City.

The clash is shaping up to be an intense battle of two supremely gifted attacking sides for all the obvious reasons with plenty of classics in the past few years, but there is more to this match-up than usual.

If Kenny Lowe’s men can manage to claim a victory over City by four goals or more, a home final will be dramatically claimed in the last regular season game.

With Diego Castro, Andy Keogh and Adam Taggart bagging a whopping 33 goals between them this campaign, anything is possible.

Melbourne City are coming off a narrow 1-0 home win over lowly Adelaide after succumbing to the premiers Sydney FC 3-0 the week before and will be hungry to cement their lofty third spot in the league table come Sunday.

The Round 27 match will be homegrown favourite Josh Risdon’s 140th and potentially final appearance for Glory in front of the Perth faithful, with Kenny Lowe taking the helm for the 99th time as well.

With so much still at stake this weekend for both sides in terms of home ground advantage for the first round of finals, you won’t want to miss this mouthwatering clash.

Key Battle: Andy Keogh & Adam Taggart v Tim Cahill & Bruno Fornaroli

It’s going to be a battle of epic proportions come Sunday evening, as four of the league’s most lethal strikers line-up against each other in an encounter that historically provides a flurry of goals. Our Irish striker and Socceroo have netted 11 times each this season, with Cahill and Fornaroli scoring netting 9 and 17 times respectively – that’s a combined total of  

Star: Rostyn Griffiths
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The skipper was back from suspension and back on the scorer’s list with his superb curling strike sealing all three points against the Roar. Griffiths was immense off the bench in a game which craved a sealing goal to ease the stress amongst the fans. The midfielder’s leadership and passing prowess will be key against a quality City side.

Last Time We Met: 27th December 2016 – Round 12: Melbourne City 3-3 Perth Glory

The last time these two sides met it was a six-goal thriller that had it all. Gloveman Liam Reddy and the ever influential Diego Castro proved vital at AAMI Park with Reddy saving not one, but two penalties including a spot kick from Bruno Fornaroli in the last kick of the match, while El Maestro bagged a classy double. Dino Djulbic and Fernando Brandan were both sent off in the dying moments in an all round frenzy of a match, but wildly entertaining one at that.
 

MATCH DETAILS:

Sunday, 16 April 2017
Perth Glory v Melbourne City FC
nib Stadium, Perth
Kick-Off: 5:00PM (Local) (7:00PM (AEST))
Referee: Peter Green
Assistant Referee 1: David Walsh
Assistant Referee 2: Josh Mannella
Fourth Official: Adam Fielding
Video Assistant Referee: Jarred Gillett

TV Broadcast: Live coverage on Fox Sports 505 from 7.00pm (AEST) and Sky Sport 4 (New Zealand)

Radio Broadcast: ABC Grandstand Digital, Online & via the ABC Radio Mobile App – A-league Live, 1116 SEN (Melbourne)

Join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #PERvMCY

SQUADS:

Perth Glory Squad: 3. Marc WARREN, 5. Rhys WILLIAMS, 6. Dino DJULBIC, 7. Joel CHIANESE, 8. Rostyn GRIFFITHS (C), 9. Andy KEOGH, 11. Richard GARCIA, 13. Nick FEELY (GK), 14. Chris HAROLD, 15. Brandon WILSON, 16. Joe MILLS, 17. Diego CASTRO, 18. Mitch OXBORROW, 19. Josh RISDON, 22. Adam TAGGART, 26. Lucian GOIAN, 28. Joe KNOWLES, 33. Liam REDDY (GK)

**two to be omitted**

Ins: 3.Marc WARREN (promoted), 28.Joe KNOWLES (promoted)

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: 2.Alex GRANT (foot – season), 4.Shane LOWRY (quad – season), 10.Nebo MARINKOVIC (groin – 1 week)

Melbourne City FC Squad: 1. Thomas SORENSEN (GK), 2. Manny MUSCAT, 3. Josh ROSE, 5. Ivan FRANJIC, 6. Osama MALIK, 8. Neil KILKENNY, 9. Nicolas COLAZO, 10. Anthony CACERES, 11. Bruce KAMAU, 12. Nick FITZGERALD, 14. Daniel ARZANI, 17. Tim CAHILL, 18. Paulo RETRE, 20. Dean BOUZANIS (GK), 21. Ruon TONGYIK, 22. Michael JAKOBSEN, 23. Bruno FORNAROLI (C), 26. Luke BRATTAN

Ins: 14. Daniel ARZANI (promoted), 21. Ruon TONGYIK (returns from illness)

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: 7.Corey GAMEIRO (ACL – season), 27.Fernando BRANDAN (ACL – season), 28.Steve KUZMANOVSKI (ACL – season)

#GloryIsOurs