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Glory keen to upstage Reds

15th December, 2014
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A-League leaders Perth Glory are claiming underdog status for the FFA Cup final against Adelaide United on Tuesday night.

Sensational form has traditional strugglers Perth sitting on top of the league ahead of the inaugural final.

But coach Kenny Lowe says travelling to Adelaide – the site of their only A-League loss of the season – gives the Reds a “huge advantage”.

“They’re a super team,” he said.

“They play the game the right way and everyone should take their hats off to the way they play because you’ve got to be brave the way they play.

“We’re coming into a cauldron here… but we want to try and spoil their party.”

Coopers Stadium will be a sea of red after a full sell-out declared last week.

There will at least be one pocket of purple – Glory are flying their entire playing and backroom staff to Adelaide for the match.

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The FFA Cup has been a tremendous success story for the sport, connecting the grassroots of the game with A-League professionals.

The knockout competition that began with more than 600 clubs is down to just two; meaning either United or Glory will end a title drought.

Perth haven’t claimed a trophy since the 2004 National Soccer League – pre-dating the A-League era.

Adelaide’s lean streak extends to 2006 when they topped the A-League ladder, but have had three grand final losses since.

Two painful A-League decider losses to Melbourne Victory on either side of an Asian Champions League final defeat means Tuesday night’s match is the chance for Gombau to end the Reds’ finals hoodoo.

“For us as a club it’s very important. Not every year you can win a trophy,” he said.

“I wish the people from Adelaide can enjoy this and we can win this game.”

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Both coaches have one key selection issue after Gombau confirmed Argentine whiz Marcel Carrusco would start.

For Lowe, it’s whether to pick Mitch Nichols after suffering a hamstring injury on Friday night, while Gombau reported his defender Nigel Boogaard was in the balance.

“He tried today, he’s in better condition but we’re still thinking what we will do,” Gombau said.

Lowe brashly suggested last week his team would win the match but on the eve of the match he limited his predictions to how it would be decided.

“It ain’t going to be a quiet or shy game,” he said.

“The difference will be mistakes, either some wonderful play or mistakes.”

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