Perth Glory Coach Dave Mitchell is expecting Melbourne Victory to be at their attacking best this Saturday night, despite the absence of key forwards Archie Thompson and Robbie Kruse.
Perth Glory Coach Dave Mitchell is expecting Melbourne Victory to be at their attacking best this Saturday night, despite the absence of key forwards Archie Thompson and Robbie Kruse.
“Everyone keeps talking about Melbourne missing some strikers but the way they are playing, they create chances and are a very good side.
“Looking at Melbourne last week, they outplayed Sydney in Sydney.
“I think they have gone under the radar a bit,” Mitchell said.
Both sides drew their opening matches of the season 3-all, with the Victory coming from two goals down to share the points with defending Hyundai A-League champions Sydney FC.
The Glory were held at home by North Queensland Fury in front of more than 16,000 fans at nib Stadium but an even bigger crowd is expected for the Victory-s debut at AAMI Park.
“We-re defiantly looking forward to the game, a new stadium, great atmosphere and quality opposition.”
The Victory have missed the Hyundai A-League finals just once in five seasons and Mitchell is hoping build similar success with Perth.
“They (Melbourne) have always been there or there abouts.
“We have talked about stability at the Glory and wanting to build the squad each year like the Victory have and that-s what we are trying to emulate.
“He (Ernie Merrick) gets good players and has a system they play and are very good at it.”
The last time the two sides met, the Victory beat the Glory 6-2 at Etihad Stadium in January.
Saturday, 14 August, 2010
Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Local kick-off: 7.30pm (5.30pm AEST)
Referee: Gerard Parsons
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 3, FS3 HD & Sky Sports 3. Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner 774 ABC, SEN Digital (Melbourne) and 6PR 882AM (Perth). To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au
Melbourne Victory squad: 1.Michael PETKOVIC (gk), 2.Kevin MUSCAT (c), 3.Mate DUGANDZIC, 5. Surat SUKHA, 6. Leigh BROXHAM, 8.Grant BREBNER, 11.Marvin ANGULO, 12.Rodrigo VARGAS, 13.Diogo FERREIRA, 14.Billy CELESKI, 15.Tom PONDELJAK, 16.Carlos HERNANDEZ, 17.Matthew FOSCHINI, 19.Evan BERGER, 20.Sebastian MATTEI (gk), 22.Nick WARD, 23.Adrian LEIJER.
*two to be omitted*
In:17.Matthew FOSCHINI (promoted), 13.Diogo FERREIRA (promoted)
Out:Robbie KRUSE – hamstring
Unavailable: Archie THOMPSON (knee – indefinite), Matthew KEMP (knee – indefinite), Robbie KRUSE (hamstring).
Perth Glory squad: 1. Tando VELAPHI, 2. Josh MITCHELL, 3. Jamie COYNE, 5. Jamie HARNWELL, 7. Jacob BURNS (c), 9.Robbie FOWLER, 10. Michael BAIRD, 11. Branko JELIC, 12. Scott NEVILLE, 14. Steven McGARRY, 16. Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17. Todd HOWARTH, 19. Naum SEKULOVSKI, 20. Aleks VRTESKI, 21. Mile STERJOVSKI, 22. Anthony SKORICH, 23. ANDRIJA JUKIC.
*two to be omitted*
**MITCHELL and BAIRD subject to international clearance
In: 2. Josh MITCHELL (awaiting clearance), 10. Michael BAIRD (awaiting clearance)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Andy TOOD (knee- 2 weeks), Victor SIKORA (hip – 2 weeks), Tommy AMPHLETT (groin – 2 weeks), Chris COYNE (on loan – 8 weeks)
Head-to-Head: All matches (played 15): Melbourne Victory wins 6, Perth Glory wins 5 (4 draws)
