Following last week’s vital 1-0 win over Sydney at Dorrien Gardens, Perth will be looking to make it a hat-trick of wins against Adelaide.
The Round 7 away clash with eighth-placed Adelaide United this Saturday is another crucial fixture for Bobby Despotovski’s troops, as the side look to build on their impressive recent form.
Glory made it back-to-back wins for the first time this season thanks to Sam Kerr’s superb first-half strike against Sydney, with the result ensuring they stay on course to make this years finals.
Kerr was full of praise for the side in her post-match interview, with the Matildas forward outlining her confidence in the squad.
“We’ve really started to connect,” the skipper said.
“I think we’ll only get stronger from here,
“The partnerships are working really well, Rosie (Sutton), Vanessa (DiBernardo), all the midfielders are doing really well in there,” she added.
Adelaide, despite their lowly ladder position, will be a tricky encounter for Perth, with the home side unlucky to not escape with a point in Brisbane against the Roar in Round 6 after mounting an inspired comeback.Â
United recently endured an enthralling draw with Canberra, who became the first side to defeat Melbourne City in the W-League at the weekend.
Glory will have to be at their best to beat Adelaide and complete a hat-trick of wins.
Key Battle: Kim Carroll v Adriana Jones
Carroll has been at her composed and dominant best at the heart of the Glory defence this season, with the Matilda playing a key role in preserving two consecutive clean sheets. The defender will have to keep close tabs on Adelaide striker Adriana Jones, who is part of the Golden Boot logjam having bagged her third goal of the season against the Roar last week. It should prove to be an intriguing battle between the two.Â
Star: Shawn Billam
The midfielder has been pulling strings of late, with her vision and powerful running helping to set up Kerr’s winner against Sydney. With teammate Sarah Carroll noting that Billam has the best ‘tekkers’ in the squad, she will be looking to pull a few out her locker this weekend against Adelaide.
One-to-Watch:Â Gabrielle Dal Busco
The player to watch again this week is keeper Gabrielle Dal Busco. The young custodian has been immense between the sticks having not conceeded in her two appearances so far. Dal Busco will be looking to make it a trio of clean sheets this Saturday at Elite Systems Football Centre.
MATCH DETAILS:
Saturday, 17th December 2016
Adelaide United v Perth Glory
Venue:Â Elite Systems Football Centre
Kick-Off: 5:00PM (AWST)
Referee: Katie Patterson
Assistant Referee 1: Laura Moya
Assistant Referee 2: Joanna Charaktis
Fourth Official: Samuel Kuys
SQUADS:
Adelaide United squad: 1. Eliza CAMPBELL (gk), 2. Cheyenne HAMMOND, 3. Georgia IANNELLA, 4. Emily HODGSON, 6. Ally LADAS, 7. Stella RIGON (c), 9. Marijana RAJCIC, 11. Sofia HUERTA, 12. Adriana JONES, 14. Grace ABBEY, 15. Georgia CAMPAGNALE, 16. Kelsey ZAFIRIDIS, 17. Dragana KLJAJIC, 18. Isabella SCALZI, 20. Sarah WILLACY (gk), 24. Danielle COLAPRICO, 25. Katie NAUGHTON **two to be omitted**
Coach:Â Hussein Skenderovic
In: 2.Cheyenne HAMMOND (promoted), 14.Grace ABBEY (returns from injury), 16.Kelsey ZAFIRIDIS (promoted)
Out:Â 10. Rachel QUIGLEY (hamstring – 1 week)
Unavailable: 5. MONICA (international duty – Brazil), 8. Emily CONDON (illness), 30. Alex CHIDIAC (groin – 1 week)
Perth Glory Squad: 2. Sarah CARROLL, 3. Kim CARROLL, 4. Alyssa MAUTZ, 5. Patricia CHARALAMBOUS, 7. Nicole STANTON, 8. Shawn BILLAM, 9. Rosie SUTTON, 10. Vanessa DIBERNARDO, 13. JAYMEE GIBBONS, 14. Caitlin DOEGLAS, 17. Natasha RIGBY, 18. Gabby DAL BUSCO (gk), 20. Samantha KERR (c), 22. Arianna ROMERO, 24. Morgan AQUINO (gk)
Coach: Bobby Despotovski
In: nil
Out: nil
Unavailable: 1. Melissa MAIZELS (gk) (finger – 4 weeks)
