Soccer

Injuries Ravage Glory For Sydney Clash

Thursday 4th February 2010

Author: LMSC & Wires

Photographer: PSPWA / Matt Greenfield

The Perth Glory are heading into another big clash minus some big names this week with news coach Dave Mitchell will be without 5 of his starting eleven against Sydney FC on Sunday. 

First choice keeper Tando Velaphi, captain Jacob Burns, striker Mile Sterjovski, midfielder Adriano Pellegrino and striker Viktor Sikora have all been ruled out because of injury.

But despite the mounting injury toll, Mitchell is staying positive, backing his side’s depth to do the job against the Sky Blues.

“That’s the good thing about having a little bit of depth while the players have been injured the balance has still been good,” Mitchell said.

“Going into the game the boys hold no fears.”

There is some good news on the horizon, with all five players expected to be back in action next week against Brisbane Roar. The club opted not to take a risk with a debut finals appearance just around the corner.

But it is a big game for the club, who are fighting for a top four finish and a possible home final.

It will be the second time in five weeks Perth meet Sydney, after the two sides drew 0-0 at ME Bank Stadium on January 4.

“I spoke to Vitezslav (Sydney coach) after the game and he conceded they were on the back foot. We had chance after chance but just couldn’t finish them off,” Mitchell said of their last encounter.

“They’ve got one of the best defences in the league and it’s not by coincidence they are close to the top of the league so it will be a difficult task for us but one we are going into with confidence.”

Sunday’s game will also be an “away” game for Sydney with the match not at their traditional home ground the Sydney Football Stadium, rather at Parramatta Stadium. But Mitchell does not see that as an advantage.

“No, not really, I believe there is going to be a bigger crowd, it’s actually a better Football stadium, quite tight and with a good surface so that wont affect us or them so we’ll both go out there with the intent to try and win the game,” he said.

With four wins and a draw since Boxing Day, the Glory are now in fourth spot on the Hyundai A-League table.

“I think players are eager to play and looking forward to playing and when you’ve been winning the confidence grows within the team.

“Their is good harmony and we are pretty buoyant going into the game and as I say fourth spot is up for grabs now so it’s a big incentive for us.”

But Mitchell is not getting looking to far ahead and the possibility of third spot.

“No. Third spot is for Sydney to lose. Obviously we’d have to beat them and then they’d have to lose their last game and then we’ll need to win both our games which is well within the realms of reality but we are looking at that fourth spot because that’s the one that is certainly within our reach.”

Sydney FC v Perth Glory
Parramatta Stadium, Parramatta
Kick-Off: 2pm (WA Time)

Sydney FC Squad: 1.Clint BOLTON (gk), 3.Stephan KELLER, 4.Simon COLOSIMO, 6.Karol KISEL, 7.Brendan GAN, 8.Stuart MUSIALIK, 9.John ALOISI, 10.Steve CORICA (c), 12.Shannon COLE, 14.Alex BROSQUE, 15.Terry MCFLYNN, 16.Chris PAYNE, 20.Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 22.Sung-Hwan BYUN, 23. Rhyan GRANT, 26 Hayden FOXE
one to be omitted

In: Nil
Out: Mark BRIDGE (Toe – 3 weeks)


Perth Glory Squad: 20.Aleks VRTESKI (gk), 2.Danny McBreen, 3.Jamie COYNE, 4.Andy TODD, 5.Jamie HARNWELL, 6.Chris COYNE, 10. Wayne SRHOJ, 11. Branko JELIC, 12.Scott NEVILLE, 13.Scott BULLOCH, 14.Steven McGARRY, 17.Todd HOWARTH, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 23.Andrija JUKIC, 28. Tommy AMPHLETT, 30. Alex PEARSON (gk)
one to be omitted

In: Wayne SRHOJ (returns from injury), Branko JELIC (promoted)
Out: Adriano PELLEGRINO (knee – 1 week)

Head-to-Head:
All matches (played 14): Sydney FC wins 4, Perth Glory wins 4 (6 draws)