Perth Glory will field one of their strongest line-ups this season in a crunch home clash against Brisbane Roar on Sunday at ME Bank Stadium.
Perth Glory will field one of their strongest line-ups this season in a crunch home clash against Brisbane Roar on Sunday at ME Bank Stadium.
Coach Dave Mitchell is expected to take un-changed line-up into the match, a rarity this season with injury and suspension forcing changes most weeks.
It has been a rejuvenated Glory side that has hit the pitch following the FIFA break, disposing of top of the table Sydney FC at home before taking a point, and notching a second straight clean sheet, against the in-form Mariners in Gosford.
While Brisbane has enjoyed their journey west in the past, winning five of their six matches in WA, Glory skipper Jacob Burns said it will be a different proposition this time around. Perth broke their duck at Suncorp Stadium in round seven this season with an emphatic 4-2 result and will be looking to inflict the same sort of pain come Sunday.
“We’re feeling good and will be looking to take all the points here at home,” Burns said.
“We-ve been strong at home but we know Brisbane isn-t going to be a pushover. They had a good result last week and have been improving rapidly so we-ll have to be alert to the danger.
“Getting the win up there earlier this season was a great result and we need to be vigilant and protect our home patch because they will be very keen to come over and get one back on us.
“We’ll be confident, we’re always confident at home, we play our game and try not to worry about the other team too much. When we are in good form and we play our kind of game I think it will get us the results we-re looking for,” said Burns.
Goal keeper Tando Velaphi has been on light duties this week after a minor back complaint but is expected to train with the main squad on Friday and Saturday and take his place between the posts.
With only eight points separating second and tenth position on the Hyundai A-League ladder the prize on offer this weekend will be keenly fought by both sides. Perth with the chance to consolidate a finals position while Brisbane are looking to reclaim their spot in the top six after dropping out in round 11.
“It is a tight old league there’s not much separating second place through to last place at the minute. If we can string a few results together now I think we can cement our spot in the top six,” Burns said.
“We’ve got quality in the side and are fortunate now to be in a position to call on most of the squad. It hurts when players are out and people are missing but we-re in a good spot to push on from here.
“If we can get a few more results over this period leading into Christmas then we set ourselves up for a big play in the New Year.
“We-re expecting a tough game but I think it will also be an exciting one with both teams very keen to get goals on the scoreboard,” said Burns.
Hyundai A-League 2009/10 – Rd 17
Perth Glory v Brisbane Roar
Sunday, 6 December 2009 at ME Bank Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 4.00pm (AWST)
Referee: Strebre Delovski
To purchase tickets visit www.ticketmaster.com.au – click here.
Perth Glory Radio Broadcast Partner: 6PR – 882am www.6pr.com.au – click here to listen.
Live & exclusive TV broadcast on Fox Sports 2 and Sky Sports 1.
Perth Glory Squad: 1.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 3.Jamie COYNE, 4.Andy TODD, 6.Chris COYNE, 7.Jacob BURNS (c), 8.Victor SIKORA, 10.Wayne SRHOJ, 11.Branko JELIC, 12.Scott NEVILLE, 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17.Todd HOWARTH, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 20.Aleks VRTESKI (gk), 21.Mile STERJOVSKI, 23.Andrija JUKIC, 28.Tommy AMPHLETT
*one to be omitted
In: Andrija JUKIC (promoted)
Out:
Unavailable: Scott BULLOCH (thigh – 1 week), Brent GRIFFITHS (hamstring – 1 week), Anthony SKORICH (foot – 5 weeks)
Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Liam REDDY (GK), 2. Andrew PACKER, 3. Craig MOORE (c), 4. Luke DEVERE, 5. Josh McCLOUGHAN, 6. David DODD, 7. Michael ZULLO, 8. Massimo MURDOCCA, 9. Sergio VAN DIJK, 10. Charlie MILLER, 11. REINALDO, 13. HENRIQUE, 14. Adam SAROTA, 16. Bob MALCOLM, 17. Mitch NICHOLS, 18. Danny TIATTO, 19. Isaka CERNAK, 20. Griffin McMASTER (GK), 21. Tommy OAR
*four to be omitted*
In: Bob MALCOLM (promoted), Massimo MURDOCCA (promoted), Michael ZULLO (promoted), HENRIQUE (returns from suspension)
Out: Matt McKAY (Hamstring injury)
Unavailable: Nil
*Head-to-Head: Played 13: Perth Glory wins 2, Brisbane Roar wins 9 (2 draws)
