The league’s two most exciting attacking teams go head-to-head at AAMI Park this Saturday.
Last week’s enthralling 3-3 draw with Wellington showcased “the mongrel” within the squad which will be vital for the team to press for a home finals spot at the business end of the season.
Glory came from two goals down to snatch a point in the Long Distance Derby to ensure they kept in touch with Melbourne City and Brisbane Roar with just five games remaining in the Hyundai A-League regular season.
This Saturday Glory take on a Victory outfit which succumbed to a narrow 1-0 loss in the Big Blue last Friday night.
Kevin Muscat’s side still maintains a 10-point lead over Glory, meaning three points is an absolute must if the Western Australians are to be caught.
Richard Garcia, who made his season debut against the Phoenix said the tie “will be a tough game, we’re under no illusion…but we’re going there to win.”
Both sides boast two of the most lethal attacks in the competition, with Victory ranked second (44 goals) and Glory third (43 goals) in the scoring charts this season.
The two teams also field some of the most dangerous players in the A-League, with Glory’s trio of Castro, Keogh and Taggart having netted 30 goals between them, and Victory’s Berisha, Rojas and Troisi finding the back of the net a total of 33 times.
This is sure to be a battle full of goals and plenty of flair in the attacking third, while Glory’s aerial dominance will be key in protecting Liam Reddy’s goal.
Star: Andy KeoghÂ
The Irishman returned to the scorer’s list in spectacular fashion against Wellington. The vice-captain’s sublime chest control of Dino Djulbic’s perfectly weighted through ball still left the number nine with plenty to do, but the striker was able to sensationally finesse the ball passed a helpless Glen Moss to take his total to 11 for the season and make it three goals in his last four away games. His goal provided the spark Glory needed to get back into the game and Keogh will be hoping to add more to his highlights reel this weekend against Melbourne Victory.
Key Battle: Djulbic v Berisha
Our very own ‘panel beater’ will have the challenging task of keeping Albanian striker Besart Berisha at bay when we take to the field on Saturday night. Djulbic has been in great form since re-entering the starting XI, with the veteran defender making a number of key challenges, dominating in the air and also notching up an impressive assist last weekend. Berisha has scored five in his last four games against Glory and big Dino will have to be on his toes to prevent the league’s top scorer from adding to his tally.
 One To Watch: Joel Chianese
The winger’s impact in the past two rounds has been massive. Following up from his maiden goal for the club in the 3-1 win over Western Sydney, the 27-year-old came off the bench and delivered an absolute peach of a cross to set up Adam Taggart’s goal. Chianese’s positive attacking runs and desire to create in the final third is proving to add another dimension in up front for Glory.
Last Time They Met: Saturday, January 21st, Round 16: Glory 2-1 Victory
A superb run and cutback from Josh Risdon resulted in Taggart’s clinical winner to cap off a crucial come from behind win over Victory back in Round 16. Following Reddy’s penalty heroics in the first-half, Berisha made no mistake with his second spot-kick to give Victory the lead in the 58th minute. Glory bounced back superbly, with Nebo Marinkovic’s set-piece curling into the back of the net in the 77th minute to set the stage for Taggart to seal all three points with just over five minutes to go.
Opta Stats:
- Perth Glory are undefeated in their last eight games against the Victory (W4, D4) and have conceded multiple goals only once in their last six games against them.
- Perth Glory have scored eight goals in their last two games away from home and they’ve lost just one of their last seven road fixtures.
- Perth Glory have won 56.8% of their aerial duels contested this campaign, more than any other team in the competition
MATCH DETAILS:
Saturday, 11 March 2017 Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory
Venue:Â AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-Off:Â Â 7:50PM (Local) (4:50PM (AWST))
Referee:Â Â Kurt Ams
Assistant Referee 1:Â George Lakrindis
Assistant Referee 2:Â Luke Brennan
Fourth Official:Â Jonathan Barreiro
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on Fox Sports 505 from 7.00pm (AEDT) and Sky Sport 3 (New Zealand) Radio Broadcast:  ABC Radio Melbourne, ABC Radio Vic, Grandstand Digital, Online & via the ABC Radio Mobile App – A-league Live, 1116 SEN (Melbourne)
SQUADS:
Perth Glory Squad: 3. Marc WARREN, 5. Rhys WILLIAMS, 6. Dino DJULBIC, 7. Joel CHIANESE, 8. Rostyn GRIFFITHS (C), 9. Andy KEOGH, 10. Nebo MARINKOVIC, 11. Richard GARCIA, 13. Nick FEELY (GK), 14. Chris HAROLD, 16. Joe MILLS, 17. Diego CASTRO, 19. Josh RISDON, 20. Aryn WILLIAMS, 22. Adam TAGGART, 23. Kosta PETRATOS, 28. Joe KNOWLES, 33. Liam REDDY (GK)
**two to be omitted**
 Ins: 10. Nebo MARINKOVIC (return from injury), 23. Kosta PETRATOS (promoted)
Outs:Â Nil
Unavailable: 2. Alex GRANT (foot – 2 weeks), 4. Shane LOWRY (quad 1-week) , 15. Brandon WILSON (back-1week)  18. Mitch OXBORROW (foot – 2 weeks)
Melbourne Victory Squad:Â 2. Jason GERIA, 4. Nick ANSELL, 5. Daniel GEORGIEVSKI, 6. Leigh BROXHAM, 7. Marco ROJAS, 8. Besart BERISHA, 10. James TROISI, 11. Mitch AUSTIN, 13. Oliver BOZANIC, 14. Fahid BEN KHALFALLAH, 15. Alan BARO, 16. Rashid MAHAZI, 17. James DONACHIE, 19. George HOWARD, 20. Lawrence THOMAS (GK), 21.Carl VALERI (C), 23. Jai INGHAM, 40. Matt ACTON (GK)
**two to be omitted**
Ins:Â 15. Alan BARO (returns from illness), 19. George HOWARD (promoted)
Outs:Â Nil
Unavailable:Â NilÂ
#GloryIsOurs
