Perth will be looking to continue its winning streak this week when it hosts the Newcastle Jets at Dorrien Gardens.
Top of the league and full of confidence after four consecutive wins on the bounce, including last week’s historic first win over Melbourne City, Glory take on the 7th placed Jets for their first fixture for 2017.
The Round 10 encounter promises to be an intriguing tie, with Newcastle the only side to have taken maximum points against the WA outfit this season.
The 1-0 third round loss away at McDonald Jones Stadium proved to fire up Bobby Despotovski’s players, with the side going from strength to strength ever since.
With captain Sam Kerr returning to her prolific best topping the Golden Boot race and the likes of Rosie Sutton and Vanessa DiBernardo providing excellent service for the Matildas star, Perth’s potent attack will be sure to cause the Jets plenty of issues as the New South Wales side looks to return to winning ways after a narrow 2-1 loss to Western Sydney Wanderers on Boxing Day.
Star: Rosie Sutton
Sutton is simply on fire. The Brisbane-born forward’s link-up play and chemistry with Kerr improves each week with the pair scoring 11 of the team’s 14 goals so far this season. But it’s not only goals that Sutton is providing, as the number nine has been deploying a plethora of defence-splitting passes and racking up plenty of assists as well. Every time Sutton and Kerr go forward there is a belief that a goal-scoring opportunity is inevitable and this confidence will be important against Newcastle.
Key Battle: Arianna Romero v Jen Hoy
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Last time out Jen Hoy’s solitary strike three minutes after the restart proved decisive and the American will be looking to catch up ground on Kerr’s lead at the top of the scoring charts. Standing in her way, the ever reliable Arianna Romero. Romero’s consistency at the back has proved vital to Glory’s winning streak, with her goal-saving challenges and clearances setting the standard of commitment needed for a side looking to make a return to the finals. With Hoy pressing high up the pitch from midfield, it will be another great battle between the two National Women’s Soccer League players.
One-to-Watch: Sarah Carroll
Local girl Sarah Carroll is having another great season at right-back as she pushes for a possible Matildas call-up. The 21-year-old’s strength, positioning and willingness to press forward to help launch attacks has been yet another outlet that Perth has been able to use to expose opposition teams this season.
MATCH DETAILS:
Monday, 2nd January
Perth Glory v Newcastle Jets
Venue: Dorrien Gardens
Kick-Off: 4:00PM (AWST)
Referee: TBC
Assistant Referee 1: TBC
Assistant Referee 2: TBC
Fourth Official: TBC
SQUADS:
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Perth Glory Squad: 1. Melissa MAIZELS (GK) Â 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,Â
Ins: 1. Melissa MAIZELS (GK)
Outs: Morgan AQUINOÂ
Newcastle Jets: TBC
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