Perth Glory FC coach Kenny Lowe has revealed the team will be playing to win and finish on top of the Hyundai A-League ladder as it prepares to lock horns with Melbourne City on Sunday afternoon.
In what will be the team’s last home game of the season, Lowe said the players had everything to play for.
“They represent the club, they represent themselves and also they represent a lot of hard work. I can’t see those guys undoing their own character, their own standards, and their own morals. They’re focussed on doing the right thing for themselves and also as a group” he said.
This week the club accepted Football Federation of Australia’s sanctions, meaning the team will not be playing finals football.
Lowe said it was now an opportunity to move forward.
“Look forward, not back. Let’s learn from wherever mistakes have occurred and put processes in place that allow us to be a better club” he said.
The charismatic coach also encouraged Glory members and fans to get to nib Stadium tomorrow and help the players get the send-off they deserved.
“They’re going to feel hurt, but I’m sure the genuine fans will turn up and support the guys. That means we can all grow together and unite as a club” he said.
Glory has held one of the best away away records in the Hyundai A-league this season, maintained top spot for 17 weeks and secured a berth in the first FFA Cup final.
Lowe admits it’s been difficult for him and the players to accept what’s happened, but said the focus was now on the next game ahead.
“Every minute, every second, and every day: focus for the next game. Crisis and triumphs, treat them the same and get on with what we do” he said.
“If you don’t try, you’re killing yourself. We’re all going to try” he added.
Glory will be searching for its first win against City this season.
Both sides have clashed twice before – the first match ending as a 1-1 draw and the other a 0-0 draw.
Last time City travelled to Perth was in January 2014 and suffered a 3-nil loss.
The battle could be won in the air with both teams leading the A-league in goals from headers this season (Perth- 11, City-10).
The game kick-offs at 3pm.
You can tickets at the gate or click here now to purhcase them online.
Glory’s last match of the season is on Anzac Day away to Western Sydney Wanderers.
Sunday, 19 April 2015
Perth Glory v Melbourne City FC
nib Stadium, Perth
Kick-Off: 3:00 PM (Local)
Referee: Chris Beath
Assistant Referee 1: Mathew Cheeseman
Assistant Referee 2: Josh Mannella
Fourth Official: David Bruce
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 from 5.00pm (AEST) and Sky Sport 4 (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast: Online/ABC Radio Mobile phone app
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #PERvMCY
Perth Glory FC squad: 1.Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 4.Riley WOODCOCK, 5.Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 9.Andy KEOGH, 10.Nebojsa MARINKOVIC, 11.Richard GARCIA, 13.Diogo FEREIRRA, 14.Chris Harold, 15.Jamie MACLAREN, 18.Jack DUNCAN (gk), 19.Josh RISDON, 20.Daniel DE SILVA, 21.Scott JAMIESON, 23.Michael THWAITE (c), 25.Mitch OXBORROW, 27.Dragan PALJIC, 28.Denis KRAMAR
***two to be omitted***
Ins: 4.Riley WOODCOCK (promoted), 13.Diogo FEREIRRA (promoted)
Outs: 16.Sidnei SCIOLA (not selected)
Unavailable: 7.Youssouf HERSI, 8.Ruben ZADKOVICH (2 weeks)
Melbourne City FC squad: 1.Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 4.Connor CHAPMAN, 5.Erik PAARTALU, 6.Aaron MOOY, 7.Iain RAMSAY, 8.Massimo MURDOCCA, 9.Harry NOVILLO, 10.Robert KOREN, 13.Jonatan GERMANO, 15.David WILLIAMS, 16.Josh KENNEDY, 18.Paulo RETRE, 20.Tando VELAPHI (GK), 22.Jack CLISBY, 24.Patrick KISNORBO (c), 26.Marc MARINO, 28.Nick SYMEOY
***one to be omitted***
Ins: 7.Iain RAMSAY (promoted), 22.Jack CLISBY (promoted), 26.Marc MARINO (promoted), 28.Nick SYMEOY (promoted)
Outs: 25.Jacob MELLING (suspended, card accumulation – 1 match), 27.Kew JALIENS (suspended, card accumulation – 1 match), 29.Safuwan BAHARUDIN (tbc)
Unavailable: 3.Robbie WIELAERT (ankle – 2 weeks), 11.Damien DUFF (ankle/calf – indefinite), 14.James BROWN (foot – 5-6 weeks), 19.Ben GARUCCIO (ankle – 6-7 weeks
