Saturday’s Westfield FFA Cup final against Melbourne Victory will be a day full of mixed emotions for Glory’s rising star Josh Risdon.
The 23-year old is still buzzing with excitement after being selected in the Socceroos squad for the two upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Kyrgyzstan and Bangladesh and the chance to be part of a historic Perth Glory FFA Cup win.
This year Risdon has vowed to make amends after being sent off in the final against Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium last year.
“Last season the final wasn’t the best for me. Getting sent off I let the team down early in the game. I’m now a year wiser and I’ve learnt from last year’s final. It’s a big game and I don’t want to let the team down” he said.
“We’ve done really well in the Cup this season and coming runners up hurt and we realised how much it hurt and how much we want it. It’s massive for the club and massive for the boys as the season rolls on”.
Risdon knows the match at AAMI Park will effectively be a home game for Victory but he said that made the prospect of winning on Victorian turf, even sweeter.
“It’s a massive home ground advantage and a big one for Victory but it’s not one that scares us. We know they’re a good side. We did well against them last year, we didn’t lose to them last year and we’ll be looking forward to it.”
Risdon and Perth Glory will come up against former team mate in Danny Vukovic. The crowd favourite moved to Melbourne in the off-season and is expected to be a major protagonist for Victory on the day.
“Danny is a great ‘keeper. He’s been so good for so long in the A-league and it will be tough but training with him for the past three years might give us a good advantage. He’s a good mate of mine so it will be good to catch up with him after the match”.
The Bunbury born and bred right-back will have close family and friends making the trip to Melbourne from the south-west which has given him an extra shot in the arm, heading into the match.
“My mum and a few close friends from Bunbury are coming over and my girlfriend will be there as well. I’m very excited for the Cup game it’s not often you get to play in any final but hopefully we can get a win and it will boost my confidence going into the Socceroos camp as well” he said.
The match kicks-off on Saturday at 4.30pm (WST) and will be broadcast on FOX Sports 505.
