#MCYvNEW – Newcastle Jets haven’t won away from home against Melbourne City [or Heart] since December 2010. A run of six Hyundai A-League matches.
Football Federation Australia
Arquivo diário: outubro 29, 2015
Hyundai A-League 2015/2016 Round 4 Opta Stats preview – Thomas Sorensen
#MCYvNEW – No goalkeeper has made more saves so far this season in the Hyundai A-League than City’s Thomas Sorensen (13).
Football Federation Australia
Hyundai A-League 2015/2016 Round 4 Opta Stats preview – Daniel Mullen
#MCYvNEW – Daniel Mullen has made four blocks so far in the Hyundai A-League. Only Perth’s Dino Djulbic (7) has more.
Football Federation Australia
Hyundai A-League 2015/2016 Round 4 Opta Stats preview – Bruno Fornaroli
#MCYvNEW – Hyundai A-League top scorer Bruno Fornaroli has been involved in four of Melbourne City’s six goals this season (3 goals, 1 assist).
Football Federation Australia
First half hurt us against Nigeria: Tony Vidmar
Australia’s U-17 national football team bowed out of the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup on Thursday morning (AEDT) after a 6-0 loss to Nigeria.
The Joeys conceded two goals within the space of three minutes while spurning a golden opportunity of their own, before going into the sheds at half time down 2-0.
Vidmar said his side did not perform to the best of their abilities.
“The disappointing thing is that we didn’t play our game in the first half,” Vidmar said.
“When we didn’t have the ball, our pressing was not good enough and that’s allowed Nigeria to have so much more space. Our lines became so much bigger, and that’s what Nigeria thrived on.
“When we had the ball, we turned it over too easily. We said that if we had the ball for too long, they’d run over us because they were much faster than us.”
The Joeys started the second half with a two goal deficit, but they began to play a style similar to what was seen against Mexico and Argentina in the group stage.
FFA U-16/U-17 technical director Peter de Roo said the Joeys did not deserve to lose by six goals, given the improved performance in the second half.
“The scoreline was not indicative of the performance,” de Roo said.
“We pressed well, didn’t let them out of their half and were more composed on the ball.
“The only thing we didn’t do at that stage was score a goal.
“On their first break, they scored, and then we lost that momentum.”
The second half was more fruitful for the Australians, but they struggled to break down a Nigerian defence that was sitting deep and happy with their two-goal lead.
It was the counter that would be the Joeys’ undoing once again. A hopeful, deep cross caught the Australian defence unawares, and it was again Osimhen again on hand to bag his brace and make it 3-0.
The Nigerians turned on the afterburners in the final 10 minutes, with Osimhen completing his hat-trick, while Edidong Essien and Samuel Chukwueze added goals five and six respectively.
Football Federation Australia
Hold your heads high, Joeys: Peter de Roo
The Joeys bowed out of the tournament after a 6-0 loss to Nigeria in the Round of 16, but not before progressing through the group stage with four points, including a famous 2-1 win over Argentina, and a 0-0 draw against Mexico.
FFA U-16/U-17 technical director Peter de Roo said the Joeys should hold their heads high, having played some periods of great football throughout the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
“When you look over the whole tournament, we can only be proud of these boys,” de Roo said.
“It’s been a great learning experience for all of them.
“We didn’t come here with expectations of reaching a certain stage of the competition.
“Our goal was to play the football we wanted to play, regardless of who we took on, and I think we’ve done that.
“Our expectation was that we wanted to play positive, aggressive football.
“We have matched four world class teams in possession statistics.
“We got out of a group stage with some decent football, not sitting back, really taking it to the opponent.
“We know it takes risk, but it’s the only way to improve the players and it’s how we want to play as Aussies.”
Joeys head coach Tony Vidmar said he hoped his young side learns from this experience.
“I spoke to the boys after the game and told them we were disappointed with this performance,” Vidmar said.
“But I told them we can’t be disappointed with the performances in the tournament before tonight.
“There’s been a lot of fantastic learning football moments – both good and bad – and hopefully the boys can take those bad moments and improve from them.
“That’s all we ask, because we hope that these players will one day become future national team players.”
The Joeys performed admirably over the course of their time in Chile, beginning their campaign with a 4-1 loss to Germany before improving with a 0-0 draw with Mexico, and completing the group stage with a 2-1 win over Argentina.
This group of Joeys will now return to their clubs and start the next stage of their careers, while the next generation of Joeys recently qualified for the 2016 AFC U-16 Championship after going through their qualifying group undefeated.
The 2016 AFC U-16 Championship – from 15 September to 2 October, 2016 – will also serve as the qualification process for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, to be held in India.
Football Federation Australia
Thomas Broich to light up big screen
The documentary by Aljoscha Pause tracks Broich’s life and career in the Bundesliga and his eventual decision to walk away from the premier German competition.
Broich and his German team-mate at the Roar, Jerome Polenz, will participate in a Q&A session immediately following the screening which starts at 2pm on Sunday.
Broich says it has been several years since he last watched the award-winning documentary.
“It is good to see it still creates a fair amount of interest,” he said.
“The documentary is a good opportunity for people here to get a glimpse of what it is like to be a Bundesliga player.”
Although it has been nearly five years since it was filmed, Broich hopes the documentary still delivers strong messages.
“There is a bit of consistency in terms of my personality but there are some thing I said as a young kid that were not good for a role model.”There are some things I would do differently now but that is the path of every human being that, as you grown older, you get a little but smarter . . . hopefully.
“Sometime it is not easy to watch yourself on the big screen, particularly when the subject matter is personal but I will be more than happy to answer any questions from those who attend the screening.
“Whatever you are thinking, throw your questions at me and we will discuss it.”
The festival program kicks off on Saturday, 30 October, from 4pm, with an opening ceremony and the screening of the emotion-charged theatrical documentary Gascoigne, which tracks the life of former England international Paul Gascoigne.
A short film about former Roar skipper Matt Smith – Mr Smith – also is on the festival’s screening list. It will run in conjunction with the Eric Cantona movie Looking for Eric which wraps up the festival from 5pm on Sunday.Click here to see all the Football Film Festivals’ movies, session times and to purchase tickets.
Festival organisers are offering Roar fans the chance to win one of three double passes to one of the festival sessions.
• Send your full name and the session you would like to attend to info@footballfilmfestival.org. Please put Roar Competition in the subject line.
Festival organisers will contact the winners before the weekend.
Football Federation Australia
Hyundai A-League 2015/2016 Round 4 – Ins and Outs
Hyundai A-League 2015/16 Round 4 – Ins and Outs
Friday, 30 October 2015
Melbourne City FC v Newcastle Jets
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-Off: 7:40 PM (Local) (7:40 PM (AEDT))
Referee: Jarred Gillett
Assistant Referee 1: Brad Hobson
Assistant Referee 2: George Lakrindis
Fourth Official: Lucien Laverdure
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 505from 7.00pm (AEDT), SBS TWO from 7:30pm AEDT and Sky Sport 2 (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast : 1233 ABC Newcastle, 774 ABC Melbourne, ABC Local Radio Victoria, Grandstand Digital, Online & via the ABC Radio Mobile App – A-league Live. SEN 1116 AM (Melbourne).Crocmedia A-League Live ( www.facebook.com/A-leagueLIVERadio ).
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #MCYvNEW
To purchase tickets visit www.aleague.com.au/tickets
Melbourne City FC squad : 1.Thomas SORENSEN (GK), 4.Connor CHAPMAN, 7.Corey GAMEIRO, 8.Aaron MOOY, 15.David WILLIAMS, 16.Jason TRIFIRO, 17.Wade DEKKER, 18.Paulo RETRE, 19.Benjamin GARUCCIO, 21.Stefan MAUK, 22.Jack CLISBY, 23.Bruno FORNAROLI, 24.Patrick KISNORBO (C), 25.Jacob MELLING, 28.Steve KUZMANOVSKI, 34.Stefan ZINNI, 36.Matt MILLAR, 50.Alexander PAVLIDIS (GK)
***two to be omitted***
Ins: 17.Wade DEKKER (promoted), 22.Jack CLISBY (returns from injury – quad)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 3. Aaron HUGHES (calf – 1 week), 5. Ivan FRANJIC (quad – 2-3 weeks), 9. Harry NOVILLO (hamstring – 1-2 weeks), 10. Robert KOREN (calf – 1 week), 11. Michael ZULLO (calf – 2-3 weeks), 14. James BROWN (foot – indefinite), 20. Tando VELAPHI (concussion – 1 week), 26. Marc MARINO (knee – 3 months)
Newcastle Jets squad : 1.Mark BIRIGHITTI (Gk), 2.Daniel MULLEN, 3.Jason HOFFMAN, 4.Nigel BOOGAARD (C), 5.Ben KANTAROVSKI, 6.Cameron WATSON, 7.Enver ALIVODIC, 8.Mateo POLJAK, 9.Milos TRIFUNOVIC, 10.LEONARDO, 13.Lee KI-JE, 14.Mitch COOPER, 17.Radovan PAVICEVIC, 20.Ben KENNEDY (Gk), 22.Lachlan JACKSON, 23.David CARNEY, 24.Nicholas COWBURN, 25.Brandon LUNDY
***two to be omitted***
Ins: 1.Mark BIRIGHITTI (Gk) (returns from injury), 13.Lee KI-JE (returns from injury), 25.Brandon LUNDY (promoted)
Outs: 40.Blake TUXFORD (Gk) (omitted)
Unavailable: 11.Labinot HALITI (knee – season)
Saturday, 31 October 2015
Central Coast Mariners v Sydney FC
Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Kick-Off: 5:15 PM (Local) (5:15 PM (AEDT))
Referee: Adam Fielding
Assistant Referee 1: Ryan Gallagher
Assistant Referee 2: James Tesoriero
Fourth Official: Kris Griffiths-Jones
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 from 5.00pm (AEDT) and Sky Sport 2 (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast : 702 ABC Sydney, 92.5 ABC Central Coast & ABC Local Radio NSW, Grandstand Digital, Online & via the ABC Radio Mobile App – A-league Live. Coast FM 96.3 (Central Coast)
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #CCMvSYD
To purchase tickets visit www.aleague.com.au/tickets
Central Coast Mariners squad : 1.Paul IZZO (gk), 2.Storm ROUX, 3.Josh ROSE, 4.Jacob POSCOLIERO, 5.Harry ASCROFT, 6.Mitch AUSTIN, 7.Fabio FERREIRA, 8.Nick MONTGOMERY (C), 9.Roy O’DONOVAN, 10.Anthony CACERES, 11.Nick FITZGERALD, 14.Daniel HEFFERNAN, 16.Liam ROSE, 20.Anthony KALIK, 21.Michael NEILL, 22.Jake McGING, 23.Eddy BOSNAR, 30.Adam PEARCE (GK)
***two to be omitted***
Ins: 4.Jacob POSCOLIERO (return from injury), 20.Anthony KALIK (promoted), 23. Eddy BOSNAR (return from injury),
Outs: 18.Glen TRIFIRO (back injury – 1 week)
Unavailable: Nil
Sydney FC squad : 1.Vedran JANJETOVIC (gk), 2.Seb RYALL, 3.Alex GERSBACH, 5.Matt JURMAN, 7.Andrew HOOLE, 8.Milos DIMITRIJEVIC, 9.Shane SMELTZ, 10.Milos NINKOVIC, 11.Christopher NAUMOFF, 13.Brandon O’NEILL, 14.Alex BROSQUE (c), 18.Matt SIMON, 19.Jacques FATY, 20.Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 21.Filip HOLOSKO, 23.Rhyan GRANT, 24.George BLACKWOOD, 27.Mickael TAVARES
***two to be omitted***
Ins: 11.Christopher NAUMOFF (promoted), 24.George BLACKWOOD (promoted)
Outs: nil
Unavailable: 22.Ali ABBAS (Knee – indefinite)
Saturday, 31 October 2015
Brisbane Roar FC v Adelaide United
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-Off: 6:30 PM (Local) (7:30 PM (AEDT))
Referee: Chris Beath
Assistant Referee 1: Nathan MacDonald
Assistant Referee 2: Andrew Lindsay
Fourth Official: Alan Milliner
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 from 7.00pm (AEDT) and Sky Sport 2 (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast: 612 ABC Brisbane 891 Adelaide & ABC Local Radio Qld, ABC Local Radio SA, Grandstand Digital & Online & via the ABC Radio Mobile App – A-league Live.
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #BRIvADL
To purchase tickets visit www.aleague.com.au/tickets
Brisbane Roar FC squad : 3.Shane STEFANUTTO, 5.Corey BROWN, 6.Jerome POLENZ, 7.CORONA, 8.Steven LUSTICA, 9.Jamie MACLAREN, 13.Jade NORTH, 14.Daniel BOWLES, 16.Devante CLUT, 17.Matt McKAY (c), 19.Jack HINGERT, 20.Shannon BRADY, 21.Jamie YOUNG (gk), 22.Thomas BROICH, 23.Dimitri PETRATOS, 28.Brandon BORRELLO, 32.George LAMBADARIDIS, 36.Andre JANNESE (gk)
***two to be omitted***
Ins: 3.Shane STEFANUTTO (return from injury), 20.Shannon BRADY (promoted).
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 1.Michael THEO (gk) (quad strain, 1 week), 10.HENRIQUE (knee, 2 weeks), 33.Luke DE VERE (quad, 4 weeks).
Adelaide United squad: 2.Michael MARRONE, 4.Dylan McGOWAN, 5.Osama MALIK, 7.PABLO SANCHEZ, 8.ISAIAS, 9.Sergio CIRIO, 10.Marcelo CARRUSCA (c), 11.Bruce DJITE, 12.Mark OCHIENG, 14.George MELLS, 15.Ben WARLAND, 16.Craig GOODWIN, 17.Mate DUGANDZIC, 18.Jimmy JEGGO, 20.John HALL (gk), 21.Tarek ELRICH, 28.Antoni TRIMBOLI, 30.John SOLARI (gk)
***two to be omitted***
Ins : 11.Bruce DJITE (return from injury), 12.Mark OCHIENG (promoted)
Outs : Nil
Unavailable : 1.Eugene GALEKOVIC (knee – 4 weeks), 4.Iacopo LA ROCCA (foot – 3 weeks ), 19.Eli BABALJ (foot – 5 weeks)
Sunday, 1 November 2015
Western Sydney Wanderers FC v Perth Glory
Pirtek Stadium, Parramatta
Kick-Off: 5:00 PM (Local) (5:00 PM (AEDT))
Referee: Matthew Conger
Assistant Referee 1: Allyson Flynn
Assistant Referee 2: Lance Greenshields
Fourth Official: Katie Patterson
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 from 5.00pm (AEDT) and Sky Sport 2 (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast: 702 ABC Sydney, 720 ABC Perth & ABC Local Radio NSW, ABC Local Radio WA, Grandstand Digital, Online & via the ABC Radio Mobile App – A-league Live.
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #WSWvPER
To purchase tickets visit www.aleague.com.au/tickets
Western Sydney Wanderers FC squad: 1.Dean BOUZANIS (GK), 3.Scott JAMIESON, 4.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY (c), 5.Brendan HAMILL, 6.Mitch NICHOLS, 8.DIMAS, 9.Federico PIOVACCARI, 10.Dario VIDOSIC, 11.Brendon SANTALAB, 12.Scott NEVILLE, 15.Kearyn BACCUS, 16.Jaushua SOTIRIO, 17.ALBERTO, 18.ANDREU, 19.Mark BRIDGE, 20.Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 21.Jacob PEPPER
**One to be omitted**
Ins: 11.Brendon SANTALAB (promoted), 15.Kearyn BACCUS (promoted)
Outs: 7.Romeo CASTELEN (hamstring – 2 weeks)
Unavailable: 2.Shannon COLE (groin – 1 week)
Perth Glory squad: 1.Ante COVIC (gk), 2.Alex Grant, 3.Marc WARREN, 5.Antony GOLEC, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Gyorgy SANDOR, 10.Nebojsa MARINKOVIC, 11.Richard GARCIA (c),12.Jerrad TYSON (gk), 13.Diogo FERREIRA, 14.Chris HAROLD, 16.Sidnei SCIOLA, 17.Diego CASTRO, 18.Mitch OXBORROW, 19.Josh RISDON, 20.Guyon FERNANDEZ 23.Michael THWAITE 24.Jamal REINERS.
***Two to be omitted***
Ins: 5.Antony GOLEC (promoted), 24.Jamal REINERS (promoted),
Outs: nil
Unavailable: Ruben ZADKOVICH (knee – indefinite)
Monday, 2 November 2015
Melbourne Victory v Wellington Phoenix
Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
Kick-Off: 7:30 PM (Local) (7:30 PM (AEDT))
Referee : Shaun Evans
Assistant Referee 1 : Luke Brennan
Assistant Referee 2 : Wilson Brown
Fourth Official : Jonathan Barreiro
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 505from 7.00pm (AEDT) and Sky Sport 2 (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast: 774 ABC Melbourne, ABC Local Radio Vic, Grandstand Digital & via the ABC Radio Mobile App – A-league Live. SEN (Melbourne)
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #MVCvWEL
To purchase tickets visit www.aleague.com.au/tickets
Melbourne Victory squad: 1.Danny VUKOVIC, (GK), 2.Jason GERIA, 3.Scott GALLOWAY, 5.Daniel GEORGIEVSKI, 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 7.Gui FINKLER, 8.Besart BERISHA, 9.Kosta BARBAROUSES, 11.Connor PAIN, 13.Oliver BOZANIC, 14.Fahid BEN KHALFALLAH, 16.Rashid MAHAZI, 17.Matthieu DELPIERRE, 18.Dylan MURNANE, 20.Lawrence THOMAS (GK), 21.Carl VALERI (C), 22.Jesse MAKAROUNAS, 24.Thomas DENG
***Two to be omitted***
Ins: 2.Jason GERIA (promoted), 3.Scott GALLOWAY (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 4.Nick ANSELL (injured), 10.Arche THOMPSON (injured)
Wellington Phoenix squad : 1.Glen MOSS (GK), 2.Manny MUSCAT, 3.Justin GULLEY, 4.Roly BONEVACIA, 5.Troy DANASKOS, 7.Jeffrey SARPONG, 8.Alex RODRIGUEZ, 10.Michael MCGLINCHEY, 12.Blake Powell, 13.Albert RIERA, 16.Louis FENTON, 17.Vince LIA, 18.Ben SIGMUND, 19.Tom DOYLE, 20.Lewis ITALIANO (GK), 21, Roy KRISHNA, 22.Andrew DURANTE (c), 23.Matthew RIDENTON.
***two to be omitted***
Ins: 5.Troy DANASKOS (promoted), 22.Andrew DURANTE (returns from injury), 23.Matthew RIDENTON (promoted).
Outs: 11.Kwabena APPIAH (omitted).
Unavailable : Nil.
Football Federation Australia
Joeys lose to Nigeria, exit FIFA U-17 World Cup
It started off as an end-to-end match that could seemingly go either way, but four-time FIFA U-17 World Cup winners Nigeria were ruthless over 90 minutes.
The Nigerians had the first clear opportunity of the match as Funsho Bamgboye hit the woodwork after cutting inside from the left wing, and driving a shot that cannoned off the near post.
Both sides had their chances in the opening quarter of an hour, but it was the Nigerians that struck first through Victor Osimhen, winning a foot race off of a long ball down the left wing, cutting inside and hitting it across Duro Dragicevic into the far corner to give Nigeria a 1-0 lead.
The Joeys had a golden opportunity to level the scores just minutes after, when captain Joe Caletti found Lucas Derrick at the top of the 18-yard-box with a brilliant chip.
His shot was parried well by Nigerian keeper Akpan Udoh, but Cameron Joice couldn’t put the rebound on target.
It was with a swift counter that the Nigerians got their second goal, with another direct ball causing the Australian defence some trouble down the left hand side once again, and forcing them into giving away a penalty on the edge of the box.
Nigerian captain Kelechi Nwakali stepped up and made no mistake, placing the ball firmly into the bottom right corner to make it 2-0.
The second half was more fruitful for the Australians, but they struggled to break down a Nigerian defence that was sitting deep and happy with their two-goal lead.
It was the counter that would be the Joeys’ undoing once again. A hopefuly, deep cross caught the Australian defence unawares, and it was again Osimhen again on hand to bag his brace and put the game beyond doubt.
The Nigerians turned on the afterburners in the final 10 minutes, with Osimhen completing his hat-trick, while Edidong Essien and Samuel Chukwueze added goals five and six respectively.
Football Federation Australia
Hyundai A-League 2015/2016 preview:Western Sydney Wanderers FC v Perth Glory
The Wanderers will be out to put their derby disappointment behind them while FFA Cup final-bound Glory is hoping to build on their recent wins. It’s all to play for at Pirtek on Sunday.
MATCH DETAILS
Sunday, 1 November 2015
Pirtek Stadium, Parramatta
Kick-Off: 5:00 PM (Local) (5:00 PM (AEDT))
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 from 5.00pm (AEDT) and Sky Sport 2 (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast: 702 ABC Sydney, 720 ABC Perth & ABC Local Radio NSW, ABC Local Radio WA, Grandstand Digital, Online & via the ABC Radio Mobile App – A-league Live.
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #WSWvPER
To purchase tickets visit www.aleague.com.au/tickets
Western Sydney Wanderers FC: 1.Dean BOUZANIS (GK), 3.Scott JAMIESON, 4.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY (c), 5.Brendan HAMILL, 6.Mitch NICHOLS, 8.DIMAS, 9.Federico PIOVACCARI, 10.Dario VIDOSIC, 11.Brendon SANTALAB, 12.Scott NEVILLE, 15.Kearyn BACCUS, 16.Jaushua SOTIRIO, 17.ALBERTO, 18.ANDREU, 19.Mark BRIDGE, 20.Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 21.Jacob PEPPER
**One to be omitted**
Ins: 11.Brendon SANTALAB (promoted), 15.Kearyn BACCUS (promoted)
Outs: 7.Romeo CASTELEN (hamstring – 2 weeks)
Unavailable: 2.Shannon COLE (groin – 1 week)
Perth Glory: 1.Ante COVIC (gk), 2.Alex Grant, 3.Marc WARREN, 5.Antony GOLEC, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Gyorgy SANDOR, 10.Nebojsa MARINKOVIC, 11.Richard GARCIA (c),12.Jerrad TYSON (gk), 13.Diogo FERREIRA, 14.Chris HAROLD, 16.Sidnei SCIOLA, 17.Diego CASTRO, 18.Mitch OXBORROW, 19.Josh RISDON, 20.Guyon FERNANDEZ 23.Michael THWAITE 24.Jamal REINERS.
**Two to be omitted**
Ins: 5.Antony GOLEC (promoted), 24.Jamal REINERS (promoted),
Outs: nil
Unavailable: Ruben ZADKOVICH (knee – indefinite)
Referee: Matthew Conger
Assistant Referee 1: Allyson Flynn
Assistant Referee 2: Lance Greenshields
Fourth Official: Katie Patterson
BLUFFER’S GUIDE
It might only be Round 4 but the pressure is building at Wanderland.
Yes it’s a new squad, yes they do need time to gel and yes they have been playing some good football but you sense patience is starting to wear out amongst supporters.
The Wanderers are where they were for much of last season, near the foot of the ladder and struggling for results.
A fourth game without a win – and in front of their home fans – simply cannot happen.
While things were looking gloomy for Glory a little over a week ago, back-to-back wins in both the Westfield FFA Cup and A-League means confidence should be flowing through the squad.
And after knocking the Wanderers out of the FFA Cup earlier this year, Kenny Lowe and Co. will be feeling good as they walk out at Pirtek. .
There’s a stronger spine to Glory, especially since Diogo Ferreira assumed a holding midfield role, and he could again be pivotal to stop the threat of former Perth playmaker Mitch Nichols.
Skipper Richard Garcia was superb against the Reds last weekend and will want to continue that form if Glory is to make it back-to-back wins.
Both sides have a few players in their squad who have played for both clubs which always adds a bit of extra feeling and should make for a full-blooded contest at Pirtek.
OPTA DATA
- Perth failed to score in four of their first six matches against the Wanderers, although they have scored seven in the previous three, winning on each occasion.
- The Wanderers have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 16 Hyundai A-League matches, their longest ever run.
- Glory have the best shot conversion rate in the Hyundai A-League so far this campaign (26.1 percent), compared to Western Sydney who have the worst (6.1 percent).
- Injured Wanderers winger Romeo Castelen has completed the most dribbles so far in this Hyundai A-League campaign (12); five more than any other player.
ROUTE TO GOAL
The Wanderers attack has misfired so far this season, though they play with three strikers (two wide, one central). While they have had the second most shots in the Hyundai A-League, their conversion rate is the worst at just 6%.
Will Popovic persevere with the same faces in the belief it will turn around or is it time for change? The Wanderers boss will be forced into at least one alteration due to Romeo Castelen’s hamstring injury, opening the door for Dario Vidosic to make his first start.
Glory found their goal-scoring boots against the Reds last week and you can bet Kenny Lowe will use a similar counter-attacking style in this one. Perth were devastating in transition, particularly skipper Richard Garcia who set up two of their three goals.
New recruits Guyon Fernandez and Diego Castro both scored their first goals for the club and should be buoyed getting that monkey off their back.
WHO’S BEEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT THIS WEEK?
Romeo Castelen. The Wanderers winger will miss at least the next 2-3 weeks after an injury in the derby.
FORM LINES
Wanderers: LDL
Perth: LLW
PREDICTION
Western Sydney Wanderers 2-1 Perth Glory
Football Federation Australia
TV TOTAL 