Glory Coach Dave Mitchell has made three changes to the squad which will play Central Coast on Wednesday night with the coach flagging several tactical moves in a match crucial to Glory’s finals aspirations.
Glory Coach Dave Mitchell has made three changes to the squad which will play Central Coast on Wednesday night with the coach flagging several tactical moves in a match crucial to Glory-s finals aspirations.
It is a bold bid from Mitchell who has sought to find a formula that can break through for the club-s first win during the home and away season against Central Coast at Bluetongue Stadium.
Young West Australian defender Scott Neville has been rewarded for his impressive season in the Glory Youth Team with elevation to the senior squad while skipper Jamie Coyne returns from a calf injury and Scott Bulloch has been promoted.
This year has been a football treat for Neville, the hard working 19 year old was part of Sorrento-s championship winning side in the West Australian Premier League before being selected for the inaugural Glory Youth team where he has been a standout performer. His selection in the 15 man travelling party handing the youngster an opportunity to cap off a wonderful 2008 with a Hyundai A-League debut.
“I have tried to learn as much as I can while training with the A-League team over the past few months and now to be given the opportunity to be part of the side is fantastic,” Neville said.
“I-ve worked hard to reach the highest level possible and with this being such an important game for the club I-m really proud to be included.
“I-ll do everything I can for the team if I get a chance on the pitch,” added Neville.
Glory are expected to go into the match with a more attacking mindset which could see Argentinean attacker Adrian Trinidad started up front to partner Nikita Rukavytsya while Dutch recruit Victor Sikora will slot behind the strikers.
“There are a few options on the table at the moment which allows us to have some flexibility in the way we want to line-up,” Mitchell said.
“The boys are all very motivated and want to get the reward for their effort after we didn-t take our chances against Adelaide. We-ve played a lot of big games this season and this one is extremely important with our finals hopes on the line.”
Glory lose midfielder Wayne Srhoj who is out with a corked thigh while defender David Tarka will travel with the Youth Team on the weekend to get much needed match time under his belt. Tarka has made several substitute appearances for the A-League side in the past few weeks after overcoming a quad injury.
Mitchell has opted to rest Eugene Dadi to ensure the key striker is refreshed for the club-s home match against Melbourne on January 11.
“I want to have a look at a couple of other players in different roles on this away trip and I think that by introducing a few different personnel in those positions it will be more effective for us against Central Coast,” Mitchell said.
“We-ve had a busy schedule and I just felt that by giving Eugene a rest now it will freshen him up and he will be in top condition for our next home game against Melbourne.
“He is also on four yellow cards at the moment and if he picked one up against the Mariners then we-d lose him for the game against Melbourne where I think his style of play is very effective.”
The New Years Eve clash will be the culmination of a hectic festive season that has seen Glory play three matches in ten days.
HYUNDAI A-LEAGUE RD 18
Central Coast v Perth Glory
Wednesday, 31 December at Bluetongue Stadium (Gosford)
Kick off 4.00pm (AWDT)
Match Radio Broadcast on 6PR 882am – click here to listen
Perth Glory Squad: 30.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 1.Jason PETKOVIC (gk), 2.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, 4.Jamie COYNE (c), 5.Jamie HARNWELL, 7.Nick RIZZO, 9.Adrian TRINIDAD, 11.Scott BULLOCH, 13.Nikita RUKAVYTSYA, 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17.James DOWNEY, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 25.Marc ANTHONY, 29.Victor SIKORA, 31.Scott NEVILLE
In: 4.Jamie COYNE (return from injury), 11.Scott BULLOCH (promoted), 31.Scott NEVILLE (promoted from Youth Team)
Out: 3.David TARKA (youth team), 14.Eugene DADI (rested), 22.Wayne SRHOJ (corked thigh – 1 week)
Unavailable: Josip MAGDIC (ankle – season), AMARAL (hamstring – season), James ROBINSON (abdomen – 1 week), Hayden FOXE (leg – test), Hayden DOYLE (ankle – 2 weeks)
