Andy Keogh signs Perth Glory contract extension

Andy Keogh has scored 34 goals in 70 appearances for Perth Glory FC.

Monday, 29 May 2017 –

PG News @PerthGloryFC

Perth Glory have today confirmed that star striker Andy Keogh has extended his contract with the club, keeping him in the west until 2019.

The new contract locks in Glory’s top Hyundai A-League era goalscorer until the end of the 2018/19 Hyundai A-League season.

“We are delighted to secure the services of Andy Keogh beyond next season, a player who plays such a key role in our team and club,” said club CEO Peter Filopoulos.

“Andy is now well settled in Perth and excitingly, he is also working towards securing his Australian citizenship.

“With 17 players contracted for next season, we are in a good position to build upon our squad in the coming weeks and months,” he added

Since arriving to Perth Glory ahead of the 2014/15 Hyundai A-League season, Keogh has played 70 Hyundai A-League games and scored 34 goals (12 in 2014/15, 10 in 2015/16 and 12 in 2016/17).

Despite his relatively short tenure at the club, Andy was recently voted by Perth Glory members as part of its Ultimate XI (1996-2016) team of the last 20 seasons.

“I’m thrilled that I have extended my contract for another year which will see me at the club for at least the next two-seasons,” said Keogh.

“I am happy at Perth Glory and my family and I have settled well in Perth and WA.

“I am also excited with what we are building here at the club and look forward to helping bring success for our members and fans very soon. I can’t wait for the 2017/18 season to begin,” the Irish striker added.

 

Source : Football Federation Australia

Hyundai A-League season 2016/2017 review: Perth Glory

Tuesday, 16 May 2017 –

Jason Pine @pineyzb

Goals, goals and more goals. Perth Glory’s season saw plenty of them – for and against – as Kenny Lowe’s side finished one game shy of the Hyundai A-League Grand Final. We examine Glory’s season and look ahead to the 2017/18 campaign.

 

Position: 5 ^th , beaten semi-finalists

Record: Played 29, Won 11, Drawn 9, Lost 10

Goals: 55

Conceded : 56

Leading Goal Scorer : Diego Castro (13)

Best home crowd : 13,290 – Round 5 against Western Sydney Wanderers

Star performer: Diego Castro

What. A. Player. The Spanish maestro had another sublime campaign, providing some of the Hyundai A-League season’s most memorable moments. His effortless first touch, close control, ability to beat opponents with outrageous pieces of skill and goalscoring ability made him close to the complete player. In fact, Perth boss Kenny Lowe said he was the best in the competition “by a country mile”.

When opposition sides nullified Castro (which few managed, apart from Sydney FC in the semi-final), they went a long way towards blunting Glory’s attack. The news that he has signed a one-year contract extension is a massive boost for Perth’s chances of going one better next season.

Breakout player: Brandon Wilson

The talented 21 year-old midfielder signed at the start of the season after three years playing in the under-18 and under-21 sides at English club Burnley. He featured in 22 of Perth’s matches, starting on 14 occasions and not looking out of place in cut and thrust of the Hyundai A-League.

He is currently in camp with the Australian under-23 squad preparing for the upcoming AFC U-23 Championship qualifiers in Myanmar and looks every inch a star of the future.

Goal of the year: Nebojsa Marinkovic

Leading their round 27 match against Melbourne City 3-1 with 15 minutes to go at nib Stadium, Glory won a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area.

The Serbian dead ball specialist was quickly sent on and with his very first touch, curled a sumptuous curling shot over the defensive wall and into the top corner. Talk about an instant impact!

Highlight: Classic clashes with City

Glory’s games against Melbourne City were among the best in the 2016/17 Hyundai A-League. Andy Keogh’s superb hat-trick in round three gave them a 3-2 away win while Liam Reddy’s dual penalty saves from Bruno Fornaroli earned Perth a 3-all draw in round 12. Then there was the crazy nine-goal thriller to end the season, complete with five different Glory goalscorers and goalkeeper Liam Reddy’s astonishing dribble towards halfway late in the contest.

Most satisfying though was the 2-0 win in the elimination final the following weekend at AAMI Park where Glory were worthy winners in one of the most complete performances of their very good season.

Lowlight: Mediocre March

Three wins in four February outings had Glory third heading into the final six games of the campaign, but just two points from the next possible 12 eventually put paid to their chances of a top four finish. Losses to Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC were book-ended by draws at Phoenix and Adelaide, seeing them slump to sixth on the table.

Injuries certainly didn’t help with Shane Lowry, Alex Grant, Rostyn Griffiths, Mitch Oxborrow and Nebo Marinkovic all out for some or all of that period.

What they need:

With Josh Risdon, Dino Djulbic, Lucian Goian and the Williams brothers (Aryn and Rhys) all departing, defensive reinforcement will be needed. Moves have already been made in that area with Scott Neville returning to the club he played his first four Hyundai A-League seasons with and Mariners centre-back Jacob Poscoliero also heading west. Regardless of how they line up defensively, some tightening is needed to avoid a repeat of the 56 goals Perth conceded in 29 games this season.

Nebojsa Marinkovic departs as does captain Richard Garcia and youngster Mitch Oxborrow, so some midfield strengthening is also in order but in the attacking third, things look very rosy with Kenny Lowe retaining every member of his potent strike-force for 2017/18.

Acquisitions for next season:

Scott Neville, Jacob Poscoliero, Joe Knowles.

Losses for next season:

Dino Djulbic, Richard Garcia, Lucian Goian, Nebojsa Marinkovic, Mitch Oxborrow, Jordan Thurtell, Kosta Petratos, Josh Risdon, Aryn Williams, Rhys Williams.

Outlook for 2017/18:

Re-signing Diego Castro is probably the single most important piece of business in the entire Hyundai A-League. With him pulling the strings, anything seems possible for Glory. With Andy Keogh, Adam Taggart, Chris Harold and Joel Chianese all contracted for next season, Glory look set to continue the sort of attacking style which saw them score 55 goals this season.

The side will also gain confidence from going within one game of the grand final and Kenny Lowe – who oversaw his 100 ^th  game in charge in week one of the finals – continues to impress as a colourful and astute coach. Make no mistake – Glory will again be in the hunt in 2017/18.

 

Source : Football Federation Australia

Player departures: Perth Glory announce squad changes

Rhys Williams will depart Perth Glory.

Saturday, 13 May 2017 –

PG News @PerthGloryFC

Perth Glory have today confirmed that 10 players will depart the club following the conclusion of the 2016/17 Hyundai A-League season.

PLAYERS DEPARTING

• Dino DJULBIC
• Richard GARCIA (retirement)
• Lucian GOIAN (short term injury replacement)
• Nebosja MARINKOVIC
• Mitch OXBORROW
• Jordan THURTELL
• Kosta PETRATOS (to Newcastle Jets)
• Josh RISDON
• Aryn WILLIAMS
• Rhys WILLIAMS

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

• Diego CASTRO (marquee player)
• Joel CHIANESE (winger)
• Nick FEELY (goalkeeper)
• Liam REDDY (goalkeeper)

CONTRACTED PLAYERS

Shane LOWRY, Alex GRANT, Chris HAROLD, Andy KEOGH, Adam TAGGART, Joseph MILLS, Rostyn GRIFFITHS and Brandon WILSON already have existing contracts for next season.

Negotiations are on-going with remaining players.

 

Source : Football Federation Australia

Hyundai A-League Semi Final preview: Sydney FC v Perth Glory

A spot in the Hyundai A-League Grand Final is up for grabs when Sydney FC host Perth Glory on Saturday night.

Thursday, 27 April 2017 –

Jason Pine @pineyzb

The Premiers enter the Hyundai A-League Finals Series as everyone’s favourite to be crowned champions. Can Glory cause another upset and halt the Sky Blue juggernaut in its tracks?

Hyundai A-League 2017 Finals Series – Week 2 – Ins and Outs

Hyundai A-League 2017 Semi Final 1

Sydney FC v Perth Glory

Saturday, 29 April 2017

Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Kick-Off: 7:50pm (AEST)

Referee: Peter Green

Assistant Referee 1: Nathan MacDonald

Assistant Referee 2: Owen Goldrick

Fourth Official: Kurt Ams

Video Assistant Referee: Strebre Delovski

TV Broadcast: Live coverage on Fox Sports 505 from 7.00pm (AEST). Delayed coverage on SBS VICELAND from 8.30pm (AEST) and Sky Sport Pop-Up (New Zealand)

Radio Broadcast: ABC Digital Extra, Online & via the ABC Radio Mobile App – A-league Live

Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #ALFinals

To purchase tickets visit www.aleague.com.au

Sydney FC squad: 1.Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 4.Alex WILKINSON, 5.Jordy BUIJS, 6.Joshua BRILLANTE, 7.Michael ZULLO, 8.Milos DIMITRIJEVIC, 9.BOBÔ, 10.Milos NINKOVIC, 11.Bernie IBINI, 12.Aaron CALVER, 13.Brandon O’NEILL, 14.Alex BROSQUE (c), 17.David CARNEY, 18.Matt SIMON, 19.George BLACKWOOD, 20.Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 21.Filip HOLOSKO, 23.Rhyan GRANT

**two to be omitted**

Ins: 12.Aaron CALVER (promoted), 19.George BLACKWOOD (promoted)

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: Nil

Perth Glorysquad: 3.Marc WARREN, 5.Rhys WILLIAMS, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Joel CHIANESE, 8.Rostyn GRIFFITHS (c), 9.Andy KEOGH, 10.Nebo MARINKOVIC, 11.Richard GARCIA, 13.Nick FEELY (gk), 14.Chris HAROLD, 15.Brandon WILSON, 16.Joe MILLS, 17.Diego CASTRO, 18.Mitch OXBORROW, 19.Josh RISDON, 22.Adam TAGGART, 26.Lucian GOIAN, 33.Liam REDDY (gk)

**two to be omitted**

Ins: 16.Joe MILLS, 18.Mitch OXBORROW

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: 2.Alex GRANT (foot – season), 4.Shane LOWRY (quad – season)

BLUFFER’S GUIDE

After an all-conquering, record-breaking season, most expect Sydney FC to continue their inexorable march to the Hyundai A-League championship.

This season, they accumulated more wins and points than any previous side and conceded fewer goals and kept more clean sheets than anyone that has come before.

They secured the Premiers Plate well before the end of the season, eventually opening up a 17-point chasm back to second place.

And they’ll certainly go into the semi final as warm favourites.

But no-one really expected Perth Glory to beat Melbourne City last weekend.

And yet they were worthy winners of their elimination final and are full of confidence as they seek to claim the biggest scalp of all.

They have momentum, unity and in Kenny Lowe, a coach who is looking more like a master motivator and tactician every week.

However, beating an out-of-sorts City is one thing; overcoming the side many are calling the best in the 12-year history of the Hyundai A-League is entirely another.

Sydney FC have comfortably won the three clashes between the two this season, scoring 11 goals in the process.

They’re odds-on to ease into the Grand Final.

But all bets are off comes finals time.

OPTA DATA

– Sydney FC have won their last four games against Glory, scoring 15 goals and conceding just two in the process.

– Perth have won just two of their last 10 games at Allianz Stadium.

– Sydney FC have never lost a finals game at Allianz Stadium (W4, D3), and have scored four goals in each of their last two such fixtures.

– Off the back of their 2-0 win against Melbourne City, Glory will be looking to win consecutive away games for the first time since Round 25 last season.

– Sydney FC fullback Michael Zullo needs just two more crosses to become the second player to contribute 100 open-play crosses this season (Ivan Franjic 103).

ROUTE TO GOAL

From the moment they put four goals past the Wanderers on the opening weekend, the Sky Blues have been the Hyundai A-League’s most prolific side.

They averaged better than two goals per game across their entire campaign.

Brazilian Bobo scored his debut goal in the derby and was consistent all season, netting 15 times.

Skipper Alex Brosque rolled back the years and enjoyed a superb goal-scoring season in the Hyundai A-League with 11.

And Slovakian striker Filip Holosko chipped in with seven goals.

The supply line to that trio came largely from the favourite for this season’s Johnny Warren Medal, Milos Ninkovic.

The Serbian playmaker has been simply sublime, contributing ten assists as well as nine goals of his own.

But Glory are no attacking slouches.

They’ve now scored the same number of goals as Sydney FC this season, albeit in one more game.

They are also the only side to have three goalscorers in double-figures.

Diego Castro has 13 with Andy Keogh and Adam Taggart both netting a dozen.

The Spanish maestro has also provided seven assists and most of Glory’s best attacking moments have him at their heart.

If Sydney can contain Castro, they’ll go a long way towards blunting Glory.

WHO’S BEEN IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK?

Glory defender Dino Djulbic was nothing short of Herculean in a man-of-the-match performance against Melbourne City, repelling their various attacking threats in a typically wholehearted performance.

FORM LINES (last five games)

Sydney FC: WWWDW

Perth Glory: LDWWW

PREDICTION

Sydney FC 3 Perth Glory 1

 

Source : Football Federation Australia

Could midfield warriors prove glorious for Perth Glory ?

The experienced combination of captain Rostyn Griffiths and ex-skipper Richard Garcia in central midfield could be Perth Glory’s formula for success as they prepare to face Sydney FC in Saturday night’s Hyundai A-League semi final.

Glory defeated Melbourne City 2-0 in last week’s elimination final to set up a semi-final clash with the Sky Blues on Saturday night in Sydney, with Perth registering just their fourth clean sheet of the campaign.

 

Glory defeated Melbourne City 2-0 in last week’s elimination final to set up a semi-final clash with the Sky Blues on Saturday night in Sydney, with Perth registering just their fourth clean sheet of the campaign.

Perth had finished the A-League regular season level with Newcastle Jets as the worst defensive team in the competition having let in 53 goals in 27 games.

But up against a City attack that had scored four goals the week previous – Glory had won 5-4 at nib Stadium – Perth kept the likes of Bruno Fornaroli and Tim Cahill scoreless to move within one match of the 2017 Hyundai A-League grand final.

Asked what had changed, Glory striker Andy Keogh highlighted the performance of Griffiths and Garcia.

“Richie Garcia’s come in with the captain ‘Griffo’ – that’s a two that’s not been played before,” the Irishman said.

“Lucian [Goian] is finding his feet, Dino [Djulbic] had an excellent game getting man of the match.

“‘Wazza’ [Marc Warren] has come in and done great. You know, people have been on his back before but we thought it was one of his best performances of the season.

“He got [Bruce] Kamau dragged [at half-time] and what more can you ask?

“Their most dangerous winger getting dragged and our full-back having to come off with cramp because he’s worked that hard.”

Garcia had to wait until the start of March for his first A-League appearance in his third season with his hometown club.

Perth coach Kenny Lowe started 2016/17 with Griffiths and Brandon Wilson as his preferred central midfield combination, with Rhys Williams, the now-departed Milan Smiljanic and Mitch Oxborrow just some of the others to have started in the middle of the park.

Garcia, 35, has started in Glory’s last four games as the men in purple have gone undefeated in that period, and he did a fine job in screening Perth’s back four alongside 29-year-old Griffiths in Melbourne.

Perth must now turn their attention to the premiers.

“Of course we have what it takes [to beat Sydney],” Keogh said.

“We’ve lost three in 14 [sic.19] or something like that, we’re one of the form teams in the competition just behind Sydney, so it should be a great game.”

Sydney will host Glory at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.

Source : Football Federation Australia

 

Perth Glory’s Dino Djulbic thriving on semi-final pressure

After his man of the match display in Melbourne last week, Perth Glory’s man mountain Dino Djulbic says he’s full of energy and revelling in the prospect of stunning another big gun of the Hyundai A-League.

Glory beat the richest squad in the Hyundai A-League last weekend in the Elimination Final.

Now, after a flight back to WA in between, Perth have their sights set on overcoming the competition’s best team in Saturday’s semi final with Sydney FC at Allianz.

And with a revitalising coffee on Saturday, Djulbic hopes to be back to his fearsome best again when he faces Bobo, Ninko and Co.

BEATING THE BEST

And rather than being intimidated by the Sky Blues’ feats this season, Djulbic believes the opposite applies, at least to him.

“They’re good players and I love playing against big, good players.

“It brings the best out of me.

“They’ve got to come out. They’re playing at home and everyone expects them to win.

“We just do our own thing.

“No-one tipped us to win last week.

“We proved everyone wrong and we’ll keep proving everyone wrong and do it again.

“We showed last week what we can do and we’re just going to grow from there,” said Djulbic.

DINO DOESN’T DO DROWSY    

And the rugged centre-back laughed off suggestions of remaining calm ahead of the biggest match of the season.

“I thrive on energy,” he grinned.

“As soon as I wake up, I thrive on energy – I have a few coffees and go from there!

“I love playing in the pressure [games].

“I think I’ve shown it this year and in previous years.

“The more pressure, the better,” he said.

WHY NOT AGAIN?

“I’m expecting us to go there and win,” Perth defender Dino Djulbic told reporters ahead of Saturday’s semi-final against Sydney FC.

BALKAN HEAD | Why @DinoDjulbic has the hardest head in the @ALeague and why he's keen to win the tough clash against @SydneyFC #GloryIsOurs pic.twitter.com/VJje0cRof5

— Perth Glory FC (@PerthGloryFC) April 26, 2017

“It’s as clear and simple as that. “It’s one game – the loser goes home and winner goes to the Grand Final – and we want to go the Grand Final,” he declared.

Source : Football Federation Australia

Sydney FC star ‘100%’ for semi final with Perth Glory

Graham Arnold has confirmed his star playmaker Milos Ninkovic will start against Perth Glory in Saturday night’s semi-final.

Thursday, 27 April 2017 –

Jason Pine @pineyzb

Ahead of the Sky Blues’ entry into the Hyundai A-League Finals Series, upbeat coach Graham Arnold has confirmed his star playmaker Milos Ninkovic will start against Perth Glory in Saturday night’s semi final.

SUPER NINKO SET TO SHINE

Ninkovic has recovered from the ankle injury he sustained in Round 27 against Newcastle.

“He’s 100 percent,” Arnold told reporters as Sydney FC continued their buildup to Saturday’s semi-final at Allianz Stadium.

“He trained individually at the end of last week and if we needed to push him to play last weekend he would have been fine.

“He’s trained all week with the group, did a physical session yesterday with 4 v 4s and he was like he normally is.

“He’s 100 percent and will play,” Arnold repeated.

PHYSICALLY FIT – MENTALLY FRESH

After a week off, the Sydney FC mentor says his players are reinvigorated ahead of the most challenging part of the season.

“When we come into training every day, we come in preparing to win the game,” said Arnold.

“We expect to win on Saturday night.

“I know the players are expecting that and so am I.

“Physically, we’re in top shape – everyone is 100 percent fit.

“The mental freshen-up has probably made them even more ready to go.

“I expect our best performance over the next ten days,” he said.

NO SPECIAL STRATEGY TO STOP SPANIARD

Arnold insisted Sydney FC haven’t put special plans in place to deal with the man most likely to cause them problems – Glory’s sublime Spaniard Diego Castro.

“Like all the good players across the A-League, if he’s given space and time he’s a very good player,” said Arnold.

“We’ll have a plan not just for him, but the whole Perth Glory team – it’s not a one-man show.

“I prefer to look at ourselves and see what we can do to not only nullify Perth but to expose their weaknesses,” he added.

ONE PERCENTERS TO MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

And “Arnie” has no doubt where Saturday’s game will be won and lost.

“The goalposts haven’t been changed, the size of the field hasn’t been changed, the personnel hasn’t been changed,” he said.

“It’s about attitude and performance.

“That’s what we’ve been driving the boys [with] this week – the mental aspect of the game.

“It’s about performance and the one-percenters,” he said.

 

Source : Football Federation Australia

Sydney FC’s semi final warning to Perth Glory

1/1

Sydney FC skipper Alex Brosque and marquee striker Bobo pose with the Championship trophy.

Monday, 24 April 2017 –

Jason Pine @pineyzb

Sydney FC skipper Alex Brosque says if Perth Glory sit back on Saturday they’ll be punished by the ruthless – and rested – Premiers.

And Brosque says the Sky Blues are determined not to fall into the trap Perth Glory successfully set on Sunday in Melbourne, when the two sides meet this Saturday in a blockbuster semi final at Sydney’s home ground Allianz Stadium.

 

On Sunday night, Glory beat an out-of-sorts Melbourne City 2-0 at AAMI Park to advance to Saturday’s do-or-die semi against the Premiers.

But Sky Blues captain Alex Brosque is confident the same thing won’t happen to them.

IF IT AIN’T BROKE…

“It’s just continuing to do what we have been,” he told reporters as the build up to week two of the Finals Series began.

“If we stop thinking about that and what has got us to this point, we’ll find ourselves in a situation like Melbourne City where things don’t go your way, passes start going out and you start getting frustrated.

“A lot can be made of finals football, that it’s a different type of game, a different feeling, different everything.

“But if we get caught up in that, we put aside everything we’ve done to get to this point.

“If we just carry on with our game plan, our structure and everything we’ve been doing, then we’ll be OK,” he said.

SKY BLUES’ MENTAL EDGE?

Sydney FC have had three comfortable wins over Perth this season, the most recent a 3-0 away win in round 23.

But Brosque doesn’t expect Kenny Lowe’s side to park the bus.

“I think they tried that last time they played us and it didn’t work too well,” he said.

“They sat back and I think that’s dangerous because you leave yourselves open and they’re far away from their attacking players.

“Their attacking players are what got them to where they are at the moment.

“They scored a lot of goals this year and that is their strength – going forward.

“If they sit back it would only be a matter of time before we scored and then they’re up against it, so they’ve got to come out.

“We hope it is an open end-to-end game because it allows us to get guys like ‘Ninko’ [Milos Ninkovic] on the ball and let him do his thing,” he added.

THRIVING ON THE PRESSURE 

As far as Sydney’s approach is concerned, Brosque says there’s no reason to change the formula which has seen them break all manner of Hyundai A-League records this season.

“We’ve worked very hard from week to week to maintain what we’ve been doing,” said Brosque.

“Our first 27 games were fantastic.

“It’s been a great ride – a great amount of wins, great everything.

“With the streak that we went on, everyone wanted to knock us off.

Every week was, ‘Is this the week Sydney is going to lose?’

“The fact we were able to deal with that from week to week, even once the Premiership was won, to continue playing good football and winning games – all that pressure is what got us to exactly where we are.

“We’ll use that – we’ll use it in semi-finals and in the Grand Final.

“We’re expecting to win and hopefully give our fans something to enjoy in the post-season,” he declared.

 

Sydney was definitely Sky Blue as we welcomed the @ALeague Championship trophy! Will it be staying in the Harbour City? #SydneyIsSkyBlue pic.twitter.com/9myTk7SbPP

— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) April 24, 2017

.@mjurman5's message to Sydney FC ahead of @PerthGloryFC clash – https://t.co/7uFCcvnqQU #ALFinals pic.twitter.com/vsdkRussLV

— Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) April 24, 2017

Source : Football Federation Australia

Perth Glory aim to ‘upset’ Sydney FC in semi final

Rostyn Griffiths on the ball in Glory’s 2-0 Elimination Final with over Melbourne City.

Perth Glory captain Rostyn Griffiths is anticipating plenty of mind games from former mentor Graham Arnold in the lead-up to next weekend’s all-or-nothing Hyundai A-League Semi Final with Sydney FC.

Glory booked a date with Sydney FC by dumping Melbourne City out of the Finals Series in a fabulous 2-0 away win at AAMI Park on Sunday.

 

Griffiths played under Arnold at Central Coast Mariners and predicts plenty of barbs to be traded this week.

“I know what Arnie’s got and I’m sure he’ll be speaking a lot in the media,” the Glory skipper told Fox Sports.

“[Sydney have] got some big game players and a great team.

“Timmy [Cahill] just said to me, ‘why don’t you go and upset them?’ If you’re going to get this far you may as well go and make an upset.

“That’s what we’ll be looking to do next week.”

Griffiths’ side surprised many by ousting City at AAMI Park as first-half goals from Diego Castro and Joel Chianese sealed Perth’s progression.

“I’ve said all season that we’ve got big characters and big game players and today pretty much everyone stood up,” the 29-year-old said.

“In knockout games we’ve done well. We’ve got to two FFA Cup Finals so we know we can do it.”

Source : Football Federation Australia

Hyundai A-League Finals Series preview: Melbourne City v Perth Glory

Melbourne City play host to Perth Glory in the second Hyundai A-League Elimination Final on Sunday night.

Saturday, 22 April 2017 –

Michael Huguenin

A week after losing a crazy Round 27 match 5-4 in WA, Melbourne City will be aiming for revenge at home against Perth Glory with a spot in the Hyundai A-League Semi Finals the prize.

MATCH DETAILS

Sunday 23 April 2017

AAMI Park, Melbourne

Kick-Off: 7:00pm (AEST)

Referee: Chris Beath

Assistant Referee 1: Matthew Cream

Assistant Referee 2: Paul Cetrangolo

Fourth Official: Jonathan Barreiro

Video Assistant Referee: Craig Zetter

TV Broadcast: Live coverage on Fox Sports 505 from 6.00pm (AEDT) and Sky Sport Sky Sport Pop-Up (New Zealand). Delayed broadcast on SBS VICELAND from 7.30pm AEST

Radio Broadcast: ABC Grandstand Digital, Online & via the ABC Radio Mobile App – A-league Live. After 1930: ABC Radio Melbourne, ABC Radio Perth, ABC Radio Vic/WA, Crocmedia A-League Live (www.facebook.com/A-leagueLIVERadio), 1116 SEN (Melbourne)

Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #ALFinals

Melbourne City FC squad: 1.Thomas SORENSEN (gk), 2.Manny MUSCAT, 3.Josh ROSE, 5.Ivan FRANJIC, 6.Osama MALIK, 8.Neil KILKENNY, 9.Nicolas COLAZO, 10.Anthony CACERES, 11.Bruce KAMAU, 12.Nick FITZGERALD, 14.Daniel ARZANI, 17.Tim CAHILL, 18.Paulo RETRE, 20.Dean BOUZANIS (gk), 21.Ruon TONGYIK, 22.Michael JAKOBSEN, 23.Bruno FORNAROLI (c), 26.Luke BRATTAN

**two to be omitted**

Ins: 2.Manny MUSCAT (promoted), 14.Daniel ARZANI (promoted)

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: 7.Corey GAMEIRO (ACL – season), 27.Fernando BRANDAN (ACL – season), 28.Steve KUZMANOVSKI (ACL – season)

Perth Glory squad: 3.Marc WARREN, 5.Rhys WILLIAMS, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Joel CHIANESE, 8.Rostyn GRIFFITHS (c), 9.Andy KEOGH, 10.Nebo MARINKOVIC, 11.Richard GARCIA, 13.Nick FEELY (gk), 14.Chris HAROLD, 15.Brandon WILSON, 16.Joe MILLS 17.Diego CASTRO, 18.Mitch OXBORROW, 19.Josh RISDON, 22.Adam TAGGART, 26.Lucian GOIAN, 33.Liam REDDY (gk)

**two to be omitted**

Ins: 5.Rhys WILLIAMS (promoted), 16.Joe MILLS (promoted)

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: 2.Alex GRANT (foot – season), 4.Shane LOWRY (quad – season)

BLUFFER’S GUIDE

For the second time in eight days, City will take on Glory with last week’s crazy game fresh in the memories of both squads.

Perth denied City a third-place finish in Round 27, storming to a 4-1 lead with 15 minutes remaining and then surviving the visitors’ response to triumph in a nine-goal thriller.

It means that for the second straight season, City will host Kenny Lowe’s Glory in an elimination final at AAMI Park.

Last year, Bruno Fornaroli scored a double – a bicycle kick in the first half and a direct free-kick in the second – as City won 2-0.

Perth don’t have a great record in the A-League finals – they have qualified in only four IN 11 seasons and all three of their wins from seven previous post-season fixtures came in 2011-12 when they reached the grand final.

That season, Glory defeated Melbourne Heart, Wellington Phoenix and Central Coast Mariners before eventually losing 2-1 to Brisbane Roar in the championship decider.

Lowe’s men have had the edge over City in 2016/17, winning twice and drawing once despite having to play in Melbourne in two of those matches.

Last week’s nine goals weren’t that out of the ordinary either, with the three meetings between City and Glory finishing with a total of 20.

Perth striker Andy Keogh (4 goals) has enjoyed this fixture the most this term, while Diego Castro has found the back of the net three times.

Bruno Fornaroli and Tim Cahill have matched the Spaniard’s tally for City.

Coach Michael Valkanis has added Manny Muscat and Daniel Arzani to the City squad he took to Perth last week, while Rhys Williams and Joe Mills have earned recalls to Glory’s extended group.

Glory have beaten fellow top-six sides City and Brisbane Roar in their past two games, while Valkanis’ side hasn’t beaten another finalist in six matches.

OPTA DATA

* Perth have scored 10 goals in the opening 15 minutes of games this season, the most of any team and two more than Melbourne City.

* Tim Cahill has scored three goals from four shots in his last two games against Glory.

* Diego Castro has created 33 away chances this season, more than any other player in the competition.

ROUTE TO GOAL

Scoring goals hasn’t been a problem for either of these teams this season – only premiers Sydney FC (55) scored more than Glory’s 53, while City (49) finished equal third alongside archrivals Melbourne Victory.

It is in defence that Lowe and Valkanis need to do some work – the past seven fixtures between City and Glory have seen an average of 5.29 goals per game.

The return of Michael Jakobsen a fortnight ago saw City earn just their third clean sheet of the A-League campaign in a 1-0 win over Adelaide United, but judging by last week, clearly the Danish centre-back cannot cure all ills.

Only Sydney (234) have faced fewer shots than City (288) in 2016-17, which raises questions about replacing last season’s A-League goalkeeper of the year Thomas Sorensen with Dean Bouzanis.

Glory simply allow opposition sides too many opportunities – only Central Coast Mariners (430) have faced more shots than Lowe’s men (397).

The return of captain Rostyn Griffiths from a quadriceps injury off the bench last week should give the visitors some hope ahead of Sunday’s clash, as he could play a critical role in screening Perth’s back four.

In all three of Glory’s clean sheets this season, Griffiths has partnered with Brandon Wilson in central midfield and Rhys Williams has played in defence – all three didn’t start against City last week.

WHO’S BEEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT THIS WEEK?

Tim Cahill. The Socceroos’ all-time leading scorer was critical in ensuring City avoided slipping further down the A-League table in the final round of the regular season, scoring twice at nib Stadium.

FORM GUIDE

Melbourne City: WLLWL

Perth Glory: LLDWW

PREDICTION

Melbourne City 3-2 Perth Glory

 

Source : Football Federation Australia