Head Coach Bobby Despotovski has revealed that Glory are aiming to ‘put the cat among the pigeons’ when they face Canberra United in Sunday’s Westfield W-League Round 2 clash at McKellar Park.
The women in purple have lost on each of their eight visits to the nation’s capital since the competition began and will be up against a United side that downed reigning champions Melbourne City in Round One.
But with skipper Sam Kerr and key midfielder Nikki Stanton both returning from suspension, Despotovski is quietly confident that his charges can secure what would be very much a statement win.
“It’s going to be a very hard game, but the girls are extremely focused and are going to do everything they can to bring a positive result back to Perth,” he said.
“Everyone is expecting Canberra to win, so we will go as the underdogs and rightly so given our record over there.
“But we like it like that. We’ll enjoy being the underdogs and will look to put the cat among the pigeons.”
Glory secured a creditable 1-1 draw at Brisbane Roar last time out and according to Despotovski, the presence of Kerr and Stanton will give the side a greater level of tactical flexibility as they look to improve upon that performance and result.
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“We were disappointed that we dropped two points by conceding in the last two minutes of the game at Brisbane,” he reflected, “but in saying that, we didn’t have a full-strength side and overall, it was a pleasing performance under the circumstances.
“This year we are going to try and play in a couple of different styles so that we can adapt to each individual game.
“Sam and Nikki are integral to that, so it’s very important for us to have those two back.
“Canberra are a well-structured side with some very quick players who can hurt you on the break and they have one of the league’s most influential players in Ellie Carpenter.
“We’ll need to be at our best to get the better of them.”
Midfielder Leticia McKenna, meanwhile, could be in line to make her Glory debut on Sunday after returning from international duty with the Young Matildas.
Following the Canberra clash, there is a week’s break before Western Sydney Wanderers visit Dorrien Gardens on Saturday 17 November and you can grab your bargain W-League membership for just $60 HERE.
Match Details
Westfield W-League 2018/19 Season Round 2
Sunday, 4 November 2018
Canberra United v Perth Glory
Venue: McKellar Park, Canberra
Kick-Off: 4:00PM (Local) (1:00PM WST)
Referee: Lara Lee
Assistant Referee 1: Georgia Ghirardello
Assistant Referee 2: Lauren Hargrave
Fourth Official: Delfina Dimoski
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS (www.foxsports.com.au) and My Football Live App, Live Fast and Data Free for Telstra mobile customers
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #CBRvPER
To purchase tickets visit www.w-league.com.au/tickets
Canberra United squad: 1. Melissa MAIZELS (gk), 2. Laura HUGHES, 3. Natasha PRIOR, 4. Rachel CORSIE (c), 5. Nikola ORGILL, 6. Refiloe JANE, 7. Aoife COLVILL, 9. Rhoda MULAUDZI, 11. Denise O’SULLIVAN, 13. Meaghan MCELLIGOTT, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 17. Madelyn WHITTALL, 18. Taren KING, 19. Nickoletta FLANNERY, 20. Shamiran KHAMIS (gk), 21. Ellie CARPENTER, 23. Maria JOSE ROJAS
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 7. Aoife COLVILL (Return from International Duty), 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN (Return from International Duty)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: Nil
Perth Glory FC squad: 1.Eliza CAMPBELL (gk), 2.Sarah CARROLL, 3.Kim CARROLL, 4.Alyssa MAUTZ, 5.Shannon MAY, 6.Abbey MEAKINS, 7.Nicole STANTON , 9.Rachel HILL, 11.Leticia MCKENNA , 12.Jenna ONIONS, 14.Caitlin DOEGLAS, 15.Alexia MORENO, 17.Liana COOK, 18. Isabella FOLETTA, 20.Sam KERR (c), 23.Stacey CAVILL (gk), 24.Natasha RIGBY, 25.Katie NAUGHTON
**three to be omitted**
Ins: 7.Nicole STANTON (return from suspension), 20.Sam KERR (return from suspension), 11.Leticia MCKENNA (returns from international duty)
Outs: 13.Jamie-Lee GALE (omitted)
Unavailable: Nil
#OneGlory
