Wellington Phoenix Vs Perth Glory: Matchday Two Preview

Sunday, 16 August 2009

Wellington Phoenix v Perth Glory

Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Local kick-off 5.00pm (3.00pm AEST)

Referee: Peter O’Leary

Wellington Phoenix boss Ricky Herbert also coaches the New Zealand squad who are potentially two games away from the World Cup in South Africa. So it was no surprise to see the Phoenix’s most creative players Brazilians Daniel and Diego and Australian Michael Ferrante on the bench. Leaving the players who are most likely to create opening for a goal on the bench is an old tactical trick that has been used by many famous coaches. I still haven’t figured out what that tactic is useful for, but nevertheless it is widely used.

Phoenix Players to Watch: Umm like I said keep an eye out on the bench all their good players are there.

Perth Glory must be wondering what they did to upset the FFA. The Glory start season five with two away games in a row, this trip over the ditch is one the longest road trips in world football and unfairly the Glory will play more away fixtures than home fixtures again. Not forgetting that the returning Socceroos of Chris Coyne Nathan Burns and Mile Sterjovski are playing themselves out of a World Cup place with each performance. Coach David Mitchell thinks things are so bad he is going to sign expectant grandfather Amaral again.

Glory players to watch: Sterjovski a regular scorer for the Socceroos suffered from a lack of service in the first game and should be deployed wide. Just because you played in Europe doesn’t mean you can come back to Australia and not track back. Wayne Srhoj adds some much needed steel and poise in midfield. Branko Jelic a recruit for the Bundesliga made the A-League look good in comparison.

Key Battles: One of the stories of this match will be wether anyone on both sides can play or coach to their full potential.

A Football Story Prediction: Phoenix 1 Glory 2

Wellington Phoenix squad: 1. Mark PASTON (gk), 2. Manny MUSCAT , 3. Tony LOCHHEAD, 4. Jon McKAIN, 5. DIEGO, 6. Tim BROWN, 7. Leo BERTOS, 8. Paul IFILL. 9. Chris GREENACRE, 10. Michael FERRANTE, 11. DANIEL, 13. Troy HEARFIELD, 16. David MULLIGAN. 17. Vince LIA, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 20. Reece CROWTHER (gk), 21. Marco ROJAS, 22. Andrew DURANTE (c), 23. Costa BARBAROUSES.

*four to be omitted

In: Nil

Out: Nil

Unavailable: Nil

Perth Glory Squad: 1.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 4.Andy TODD, 6.Chris COYNE, 7.Jacob BURNS (c), 8.Victor SIKORA, 10.Wayne SRHOJ, 11.Branko JELIC, 12.Scott NEVILLE, 14.Eugene DADI, 15.Howard FONDYKE, 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17.Todd HOWARTH, 18.Brent GRIFFITHS, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 20.Aleks VRTESKI (gk), 21.Mile STERJOVSKI, 23.Andrija JUKIC

* two to be omitted

In: 10.Wayne SRHOJ (return from injury)

Out: 3.Jamie COYNE (knee – 4 weeks)

Unavailable: Jimmy DOWNEY (knee – 6 weeks), Jamie HARNWELL (hamstring – 2 weeks), Scott BULLOCH (Achilles – 2 weeks), Anthony SKORICH (hip – 7 weeks)

*Head-to-Head: All matches (played 6): Wellington Phoenix wins 3, Perth Glory wins 2 (1 draw)

In Wellington (played 3): Wellington Phoenix wins 2, Perth Glory wins 0 (1 draw)