Bobby Despotovski’s troops will be determined to turn their recent fortunes around this Sunday when Sydney FC visit Dorrien Gardens for what is a vital game in terms Glory’s Westfield W-League finals aspirations.
After suffering two defeats on the bounce to Brisbane Roar and Melbourne City, Perth finds themselves outside the top four for the first time this season.
Sydney have been somewhat of a surprise package this season, with the Harbour City club exceeding most pundits’ expectations by currently sitting pretty in third place on 16 points. Their push for an unlikely finals spot has been aided by the addition of two Matildas in the form of Lisa De Vanna and most recently, Caitlin Foord.
This will be the first time the two sides have met since last season’s semi-final, which ended in an emphatic 5-1 win for Glory.
With an intense, but productive training week under their belts, the women are primed to hit back with a big result against the Sky Blues in front of their ever-supportive home crowd.
One to Watch: Marianna Tabain
After adjusting to the new style of play following her return to Glory after two successful seasons over east, Tabain has become a key figure in midfield in recent weeks. Her creativity, close control and passion for the club is infectious and the midfielder is clearly loving life back in Perth, describing it as “special” to play in front of family and friends again this season. The midfielder will be looking to inspire the side back to winning ways this Sunday evening.
Last Time We Met: 2016/17 Semi-Final: Perth Glory 5-1 Sydney FC
In what was perhaps Perth’s best performance of a stellar campaign, a Vanessa Di Bernardo double inspired a huge Semi-Final triumph over a shellshocked Sydney side. Kyah Simon opened the scoring for the visitors with 23 minutes played, but it was all Glory from there, with Di Bernardo (29′, 77′), Alanna Kennedy (OG 58′), Rosie Sutton (79′) and Shawn Billam (90+3′) rounding out a memorable victory in front of 1,592 at nib Stadium.
Match Details:
Sunday, 14 January 2018
Perth Glory v Sydney FC
Dorrien Gardens, Perth
Kick-Off: 7:00pm (Local) (10:00pm (AEDT))
Referee: Kate Jacewicz
Assistant Referee 1: Josh Mannella
Assistant Referee 2: Matthew Southern
Fourth Official: Shane Skinner
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Tickets: http://bit.ly/2D33r4E
Perth Glory Squad: 2.Sarah CARROLL, 3.Kim CARROLL, 4.Natasha RIGBY, 5.Patricia CHARALAMBOUS, 7.Nicole STANTON, 8.Shawn BILLAM, 9.Rachel HILL, 10.Raquel RODRIGUEZ, 11.Nicola BOLGER, 12.Shannon MAY, 16.Amanda FRISBIE, 17.Marianna TABAIN, 18.Melissa MAIZELS (Gk), 20.Samantha KERR (c), 30.Morgan AQUINO (Gk)
Ins: 5.Patricia CHARALAMBOUS (promoted)
Outs: 6.Danielle BROGAN (omitted)
Unavailable: 1.Gabby DAL BUSCO (Gk) (arm – 1-2 weeks)
Sydney FC Squad: 1.Sham KHAMIS (Gk), 2.Teresa POLIAS (c), 3.Remy SIEMSEN, 4.Elizabeth RALSTON, 5. Ally GREEN, 7.Rachael SOUTAR, 9.Caitlin FOORD, 10.Kylie LEDBROOK, 11.Lisa DE VANNA, 12.Teigen ALLEN, 13.Georgia YEOMAN-DALE, 15.Caitlin COOPER, 16.Emily SONNETT, 19.Leena KHAMIS, 20.Princess IBINI, 21.Julia VIGNES, 29.Aubrey BLEDSOE (Gk)
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 5. Ally GREEN (promoted), 17.Angelique HRISTODOULOU (promoted), 21.Julia VIGNES (promoted)
Outs: 8.Amy HARRISON (knee – indefinite)
Unavailable: 6.Chloe LOGARZO (wrist – 3 weeks)
#CREATEDESTINY
