Glory Head Coach Kenny Lowe has insisted that he and his players are excited by the prospect of facing ladder leaders and minor premiers-elect Sydney FC on Thursday evening.
Graham Arnold’s men head west knowing that a draw will be enough to secure top spot with two rounds of the regular season still left to play, but the home side desperately need three points in order to keep their late-season surge towards the finals on track.
It all adds up to a fascinating, high-stakes clash at what is sure to be an atmospheric nib Stadium and Lowe can’t wait for kick-off time to roll around.
“These are the sort of games that everyone gets excited about, the kind of games that everyone wants to play in,” he said.
“From a club perspective, having such a quick turnaround from the Victory game is far from ideal, but privately the players are happy enough. Players always prefer playing to training and they can’t wait to get back out there again on Thursday.”
Glory come into the game seeking to chalk up a fifth successive home win and in doing so, condemn the Sky Blues to what would be just their fourth defeat of another outstanding campaign.
And while unstinting in his praise of what Arnold and his charges have achieved in recent times, Lowe is quietly confident that his side have what it takes to make it a very happy Easter for the nib Stadium faithful.
“Sydney are the benchmark team in the competition and a super side,” he said. “But as always, our focus this week has been upon ourselves. We’ve got some momentum behind us now and finally have a full squad available.
“Not all of our players are 100% fit and we need to be smart about the way we use them, but at least they’re available and we’ve got genuine competition for places right across the park.
“We’ll be going all out for the win, as we always do and it would be great to see as many of our members and fans there to give the lads a lift.”
While they remain eight points clear of second-placed Newcastle, Sydney’s form has tapered off slightly in recent weeks, with the men from the Harbour City winning only one of their last three games.
Glory, meanwhile, have gone four games unbeaten and have not been defeated on home soil since early January.
It’s shaping up to be a great start to the long Easter weekend, so make sure you book your tickets HERE.
And don’t forget that Family Ticekts (2 adults and 2 children) are available for just $50.
Match Details
Hyundai A-League 2017/18 Season Round 25
Perth Glory v Sydney FC
nib Stadium
Kick off: 6.30pm
Gates open: 5.30pm
Referee: Kris Griffiths-Jones
Assistant Referee 1: Josh Mannella
Assistant Referee 2: Arvin Shanmuganathan
Fourth Official: Adam Fielding
Video Assistant Referee: Eddie Lennie
Perth Glory squad: 2.Alex GRANT, 4.Shane LOWRY, 7.Joel CHIANESE, 8.Xavi TORRES, 9.Andy KEOGH (c), 13.Nick FEELY (gk), 14.Chris HAROLD, 15.Brandon WILSON, 16.Joseph MILLS, 17.Diego CASTRO, 18.Andreu GUERAO, 20.Jake BRIMMER, 22.Adam TAGGART, 23.Scott NEVILLE, 26.Jacob ITALIANO, 33.Liam REDDY (gk), 66.Dino DJULBIC, 88.Neil KILKENNY
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 15.Brandon WILSON (promoted), 26.Jacob ITALIANO (promoted)
Outs: None
Unavailable: None
Sydney FC squad: 1.Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 2.Aaron CALVER, 3.Ben WARLAND, 4.Alex WILKINSON, 5.Jordy BUIJS, 8.Paulo RETRE, 9.BOBÔ, 10.Milos NINKOVIC, 11.Adrian MIERZEJEWSKI, 12.Fabio FERREIRA, 13.Brandon O’NEILL, 14.Alex BROSQUE (c), 16.Anthony KALIK, 17.David CARNEY, 18.Matt SIMON, 19.Chris ZUVELA, 20.Alex CISAK (GK), 26.Luke WILKSHIRE.
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 2. Aaron Calver (promoted), 16.Anthony KALIK (promoted).
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 6.Josh BRILLANTE (international duty – 1 week), 23.Rhyan GRANT (knee – 2 weeks)
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