Perth Glory has embarked on the long trip across the Tasman in preparation for a crucial match against the Phoenix in Wellington on Sunday.
Perth Glory has embarked on the long trip across the Tasman in preparation for a crucial match against the Phoenix in Wellington on Sunday.
It is shaping as a hard fought clash as both sides look to snatch all three points to atone for narrow losses in the opening round of the new season.
Glory has enjoyed recent success against the Kiwis with two wins and a draw last season however they are yet to take maximum points at Westpac Stadium and will be looking to change that come this weekend.
Despite the Glory unable to find the back of the net last weekend Glory Coach Dave Mitchell is confident his side can trouble the Phoenix defence which conceded three in their opening match.
“They’ve got a very good strike force but at the back they conceded some goals,” Mitchell said.
“We’ve got to endeavour to try and explore that and also any other options that we might see in the game plan.
“I think we looked solid enough last week (in a 1-0 loss to Adelaide) and it’s a big game for us.
“We’d like to get something and we’re going to try and win the game to get three points.”
Mitchell said he wouldn-t tinker with his line-up too much, Wayne Srhoj expected to be the only change to the starting eleven as a replacement for the injured Jamie Coyne.
Perth has experienced a disrupted pre-season build-up but Mitchell is confident the team isn-t far off playing their best football.
“They’re starting to gel and you can see it in their play,” he said.
“We are getting better and it-s just a matter of more time spent together on the pitch. Everyone is keen to reverse the result from last weekend and I-m confident you-ll see a much more fluid and well worked performance this weekend.”
Perth has taken 16 players from which to choose their final squad with Sydney Olympic striker Matthew Mayora joining the travelling party after signing an injury replacement contract for Jimmy Downey who is battling a knee complaint. Mayora top scored in the NSW Premier League this year with 15 goals and will add cover to Glory-s attacking stocks.
Wellington Phoenix v Perth Glory
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Sunday, 16 August 2009
Kick-off 1.00pm (AWST) (5.00pm local time)
Referee: Peter O-Leary
Wellington Phoenix squad: 1. Mark PASTON (gk), 2. Manny MUSCAT, 3. Tony LOCHHEAD, 4. Jon McKAIN, 5. DIEGO, 6. Tim BROWN, 7. Leo BERTOS, 8. Paul IFILL. 9. Chris GREENACRE, 10. Michael FERRANTE, 11. DANIEL, 13. Troy HEARFIELD, 16. David MULLIGAN. 17. Vince LIA, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 20. Reece CROWTHER (gk), 21. Marco ROJAS, 22. Andrew DURANTE (c), 23. Costa BARBAROUSES.
*four to be omitted
In: Nil
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Nil
Perth Glory Squad: 1.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 4.Andy TODD, 6.Chris COYNE, 7.Jacob BURNS (c), 8.Victor SIKORA, 10.Wayne SRHOJ, 11.Branko JELIC, 12.Scott NEVILLE, 14.Eugene DADI, 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17.Todd HOWARTH, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 20.Aleks VRTESKI (gk), 21.Mile STERJOVSKI, 23.Andrija JUKIC, 24.Matthew MAYORA
* one to be omitted
In: 10.Wayne SRHOJ (return from injury), 24.Matthew MAYORA (injury replacement contract)
Out: 3.Jamie COYNE (knee – 4 weeks)
Unavailable: Jimmy DOWNEY (knee – 6 weeks), Jamie HARNWELL (hamstring – 2 weeks), Scott BULLOCH (achilles – 2 weeks), Anthony SKORICH (hip – 7 weeks)
Head-To-Head at this venue
Played 3; Wellington Phoenix FC 2, Perth Glory FC 0, Drawn 1
Last 5 Matches Head-to-Head
Draw – 1-1 at Westpac Stadium (6362), 13 Dec 2008
Perth Glory 2-0 Members Equity Stadium (7228), 2 Nov 2008
Perth Glory 1-0 Members Equity Stadium (4433), 21 Sep 2008
Wellington Phoenix FC 3-0 Westpac Stadium(8039), 07 Dec 2007
Wellington Phoenix FC 1-0 Members Equity Stadium (7105), 2 Nov 2007
