Tony Popovic has spoken of his excitement at the prospect of facing reigning Hyundai A-League champions Melbourne Victory on Sunday.
Both sides will head into the AAMI Park clash looking to secure their first win of the new season after the men in purple were held by Western Sydney Wanderers in Round One and Victory were beaten by arch-rivals Melbourne City.
And Glory’s Head Coach can’t wait to see his side lock horns with Kevin Muscat’s navy-and-whites.
“It’ll be difficult in Melbourne,” he said.
“I’m sure the crowd will get behind them, they are the champions and it’s up to us to find a way through them.
“But it’s a fixture that is quite an easy one to get up for. If you’re a footballer and you don’t feel you can enjoy this game or want to play in it, then I think there’s something wrong.
“We want to get out first win and they’ll want to get off the mark after what was a disappointing result for them in the derby.
“It’s a great challenge ahead.”
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268486001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5853748761001
Popovic went on to emphasise that he was reasonably satisfied with most aspects of his side’s Round One display against Wanderers.
“Moving forward from that game,” he said, “I don’t think it’s about changes, it’s just about us improving our game.
“We showed good signs, especially in the first half and then we finished the game very strongly as well.
“So we just have to keep working and building. It’s a work in progress.
“Overall, it was quite pleasing for a first game, but of course it can get better and it will.”
Last time we met…
This stunning header from Andy Keogh proved the difference between the two sides at nib Stadium.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268486001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5853123803001
Stat Attack
Glory will be aiming to secure back-to-back wins against Victory for the first time after edging home 1-0 at nib Stadium in Round 24 last season.
Glory and Victory were joint-second across the league for shots in last week’s opening round of fixtures. Both sides mustered 17, with only Brisbane Roar (20) managing more.
AAMI Park is Glory’s second-most successful away venue behind Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium. The men in purple have a 33% win ratio there having claimed all three points in seven of 23 visits.
Match Details
Sunday, 28 October 2018
Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-Off: 4:00PM (WST (7:00PM(Local))
Referee: Jonathan Barreiro
Assistant Referee 1: Wilson Brown
Assistant Referee 2: Tony Peart
Fourth Official: Lachlan Keevers
VAR: Kris Griffiths-Jones
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 from 7.00pm (AEDT) and Sky Sport 3 (New Zealand) and MyFootball Live App, Live Fast and Data Free for Telstra mobile customers
Radio Broadcast: myfootballnation.com (1116SEN, 6PR and SEN+).ABC News on Radio, Grandstand Digital, Online & via the ABC Listen App – A-League Live.
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #MVCvPER
To purchase tickets visit www.aleague.com.au/tickets
Melbourne Victory squad: 1.Matt ACTON (gk), 2.Storm ROUX, 3. Corey BROWN, 4.Keisuke HONDA, 5.Georg NIEDERMEIER, 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 7.Kenny ATHIU, 8.Terry ANTONIS, 9.Kosta BARBAROUSES, 10.James TROISI, 13.Birkan KIRDAR, 14.Thomas DENG, 15.Raul BAENA, 16.Josh HOPE, 20.Lawrence THOMAS (gk), 21.Carl VALERI (c), 22.Nick ANSELL, 23.Jai INGHAM
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 13.Birkan KIRDAR (promoted), 16.Josh HOPE (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: Ola TOIVONEN (leg – TBC)
Perth Glory squad: 1.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 2.Alex GRANT, 3.Jason DAVIDSON, 4.Shane LOWRY, 5.Ivan FRANJIC, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Joel CHIANESE, 9.Andy KEOGH (c) 13.Matthew SPIRANOVIC, 15.Brandon WILSON, 16.Tomislav MRCELA, 19.Chris IKONOMIDIS, 20.Jake BRIMMER, 22.Fabio FERREIRA, 23.Scott NEVILLE, 27.JUANDE, 33.Liam REDDY (gk), 88.Neil KILKENNY
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 13.Matt SPIRANOVIC (promoted), 6.Dino DJULBIC (promoted)
Outs: None
Unavailable: 11.Brendon SANTALAB (hamstring – 1 week), 14.Chris HAROLD (illness – 1 week), 17.Diego CASTRO (hamstring – 1-2 weeks), 21.Jacob ITALIANO (knee – 1-2 weeks), 25.Walter SCOTT (international duty)
#OneGlory
