Perth Glory will be looking to give something back to their loyal supporters on Sunday afternoon, a win against Newcastle Jets, in Round 24 of the Hyundai A-League at nib Stadium KO 4:00pm.
Perth Glory will be looking to give something back to their loyal supporters on Sunday afternoon, a win against Newcastle Jets, in Round 24 of the Hyundai A-League at nib Stadium KO 4:00pm.
Last week-s defeat against Western Sydney Wanderers ended the Glory-s finals hopes, but they will be looking to give their supporters a win to end a 10 game streak without a win.
Midfielder Rostyn Griffiths is hoping to end that drought on Sunday. The 26-year-old is yet to celebrate three points at the club and with just three games remaining in the season he hopes they can start to build towards next season, and at the same time restore the fans’ faith in the club. “The fans are always the most important part of football, if they’re not there, then there’s no point playing,” the former Blackburn Rovers midfielder said
“The Perth fans are probably not happy at the minute, as we aren’t as players, but the next three games are an opportunity for us to try to win them back over.”
“During the off-season we need to win them back and get them back again because the numbers have obviously dropped off in the last few weeks.”
He has no regrets about his decision to sign with his hometown club from Chinese club Guangzhou in a deal that will keep him at the club until the end of next season.
“When I came back it was good for me at the time because I was injured, but also I came back because I’m passionate for Perth Glory,” Griffiths said.
“I want to see them do well and I used to watch them growing up. I want to try to build something here and that needs to be done from top to bottom.”
The Glory has a great record against the Jets, and is unbeaten in 11 home matches against them in the A-League, winning the last six. Their last meeting at the nib Stadium was in round 11 last season. Travis Dodd gave the Glory the lead in first half stoppage time and doubled their advantage four minutes into the second half. The points were made safe on 75 minutes, with Shane Smeltz converting from the penalty spot.
In team news, marquee defender William Gallas has recovered from a calf injury, which he received late last week, but New Zealand striker Shane Smelz misses again with a groin injury. Kenny Lowe also welcomes back Brazilian winger Sidnei Sciola Moraes from injury to add an attacking threat down the flanks, while Riley Woodcock-s impressive form in the National Premier League side has been rewarded with a call up into the squad.
The Jets are fresh off a 5-0 thrashing of Wellington Phoenix last week, a win that moved them into the play-off spot ahead of Sydney FC, but they are yet to win in the West since the inaugural season, when Vaughan Coveny scored in a 1-0 win.
Assistant Coach and former Perth Glory defender Craig Deans, knows Sunday-s clash will be tough despite the home side not winning in their last 10 games, but is confident they can come away with the win.
“Last weekend-s game is done, we enjoyed it over the weekend, but now we-re back in training and focused on the game against Perth. The fact that we scored five goals and kept a clean sheet as well is very good for the whole group,” he said
“We-ll go to Perth this weekend knowing what we-re going to come up against and what we want to do.”
“I think it-s important for us to start the game as well as we did last weekend and if we can get the first goal and get it early, it will be a big boost to our confidence and knock them back a bit.
“I know the crowd over there are starting to get a bit restless, so I think the quicker we can get on top in the game and put them under some pressure, the better.”
HYUNDAI A LEAGUE – ROUND 25
nib STADIUM
SUNDAY 30/3/2014
KO; 4:00PM
Perth Glory Squad: 2.Jack CLISBY, 3. Brandon O-NEILL, 4. Ryan EDWARDS 5. Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 7. Jacob BURNS (c) , 8. Nebojsa MARINKOVIC,10. Jamie MACLAREN, 14. Steven McGARRY, 16.Sidnei SCIOLA MORAES 17. Chris HAROLD, 18. Jack DUNCAN(GK), 19. Josh RISDON, 24. Matthew DAVIES, 23. Michael THWAITE, , 25. Riley WOODCOCK, 28. Darvydas SERNAS, 36. William GALLAS, 39. Luke RADONICH (GK)
**Two to be omitted**
Newcastle Jets squad: 1.Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk), 3.Taylor REGAN, 4. Kew JALIENS, 5.Ben KANTAROVSKI, 6. Zenon CARAVELLA, 8.Ruben ZADKOVICH (c), 9.Emile HESKEY, 11.Craig GOODWIN, 14.Josh MITCHELL, 15.Josh BRILLANTE, 16.Jacob PEPPER, 19.Michael BRIDGES, 21.Sam GALLAWAY, 20.Ben KENNEDY (gk), 22.Adam TAGGART, 23.David CARNEY, 24.Mitch OXBORROW, 29.Joel GRIFFITHS
**Two to be omitted**
