Perth Glory Women will be looking to settle a score with reigning Westfield W-League Champions Brisbane Roar when they meed at Clipsal Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Perth Glory Women will be looking to settle a score with reigning Westfield W-League Champions Brisbane Roar when they meed at Clipsal Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Roar humbled the Glory 6-0 at Ballymore Stadium only four weeks ago and that defeat is still fresh in the minds of the Perth players and coaching staff.
“It will be a very tough game this weekend against Brisbane, we have a score to settle after the result last time we played them and we are definitely going into the game looking to win” said Gibson.
The last time the Roar visited Perth in the inaugural season of the Westfield W-League, Brisbane escaped with a 5-3 win thanks to two last minute goals after trailing the home side 1-3 at the main break. Gibson will be hoping for a more positive result this time around, barring the glut of goals against.
“The amount of goals conceded recently is not a concern in regards to individuals, it-s the whole group defending collectively that we need to work on. It takes a whole unit to defend, and we have been working on that at training during the week.”
“A lot of it is organisation, and the errors we have made are because of a lack of concentration at vital moments in the game” said Gibson.
Without those lapses in concentration Gibson feels that the league table would look a lot different in complexion with the Glory currently sitting four points outside of the fourth finals position.
“For large chunks of games this year we have competed very well and it has been pleasing to see that level of competition against some of the country-s best players.
“Finals are still in the back of our minds, but mainly we are focusing on our performances and the processes involved in making sure we are not only competitive, but in a position to take maximum points from our remaining matches.”
The Glory return to home turf at the Clipsal Stadium for only the second time in six weeks and will have the luxury of finishing the season at home again on Saturday week against Melbourne Victory.
“It is certainly good to be back at home again, in front of our crowd and the girls are really looking forward to it and showing the fans that we can mix it with the best in Australia,” concluded Gibson.
Westfield W-League 2009 – Rd 9
Perth Glory v Brisbane Roar
Saturday 28 November 2009 at Clipsal Stadium, Perth
Local kick-off: 3:00pm local (6:00pm AEDT)
Referee: Rebecca Durcau
Perth Glory squad: 1. Emma WIRKUS (GK), 3. Carys HAWKINS, 4. Sam KERR, 5. Shannon MAY, 6. Ella MASTRANTONIO, 7. Elissia CANHAM, 8. Tanya OXTOBY (C), 9. Dani CALAUTTI, 12. Katie GILL, 13. Elisa D-OVIDIO, 15. Alex SINGER, 16. Sadie LAWRENCE, 17. Marianna TABAIN, 18. Ellis GLANFIELD, 19. Katarina JUKIC, 20. Zoe PALANDRI
*one to be omitted*
In: Katarina JUKIC (promoted)
Out: Lisa DE VANNA (suspended – 1 week)
Unavailable: Collette McCALLUM (ankle – season), Ciara CONWAY (knee – season)
Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Casey DUMONT (gk) 2. Kate MCSHEA, 3. Karla REUTER 4. Clare POLKINGHORNE (c), 6. Joanne BURGESS, 7. Pam BIGNOLD, 8. Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT, 9 Jenna TRISTRAM, 10.Lana HARCH, 11. Aivi LUIK, 12. Steph LATHAM 13. Tameka BUTT, 14.Sasha MCDONNELL 15. Leah CURTIS 16. Lauren COLTHORPE 18. Courtney BEUTEL, 19. Ellen BEAUMONT, 20. Kate STEWART (gk)
*three to be omitted*
In: Courtney BEUTEL (promoted), Kate MCSHEA (promoted), Aivi LUIK (promoted), Alisha FOOTE (promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Emily GIELNIK (foot), Brooke SPENCE (ankle – season)
