Perth Glory will be looking to seal their place in the finals when they host the third-placed Brisbane Roar at nib Stadium on Saturday night. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 10pm (AEST).
The Glory are slumped from third to the edge of the top six in the last month with just two points from their last four games including big losses to the top two teams.
They would have been encouraged from their performance last week in their 1-1 draw away to Adelaide United. Diego Castro was the hero earning a crucial penalty and score their only goal. It was a game that saw both teams create ample opportunities.
The Roar, on the other hand, have been on fire with three wins from their last four games including a thumping 5-1 win last week over Central Coast Mariners. They scored all five goals in the final half-hour of the match including an eight-minute hattrick from red-hot striker Jamie McLaren.
It has followed a recent trend for Roar. In their last four games they have kicked ten goals, all of them in the second half.
Prediction
Glory welcome back Rostyn Griffiths and Rhys Williams to the side. Castro will need plenty of support from striking duo Adam Taggart and Andy Keogh, neither of whom have scored in the last three games.
Roar have decided to rest Thomas Broich who will be missed. He was man of the match last time these two teams clashed in February in what was a pulsating match in hot conditions.
McLaren will cause Glory defenders plenty of headaches.
These two teams always put on a high-scoring show when they clash and Saturday night should see more of the same.
Perth 2-1
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 10pm (AEST).
j binnie
Guest
TK - Thanks for the reply and explanation, can't disagree with your observations. You didn't see the Perth game !!!. Consider yourself lucky, the defending was abysmal, only matched by theusual inadequacy in front of goal. jb
TK
Guest
hello JB, no I didn't read his comments, but I wasn't disagreeing with your comments either - I find it strange that they wouldn't field their strongest side to build on the momentum and confidence of last weeks result against the bottom team (I wasn't reading too much into that win), but putting 5 goals away should have been a boost to an attack that has been poor and lacking cohesion this year as we have all observed. Is JA thinking of holding players back for the ACL? If so, it isn't something I'd agree with, having lacked cohesion all year the team finally produced 45 minutes of decent football and 5 goals (with the caveat of playing the bottom side) and yet the following week, all that gets thrown out the window and we get beaten away against Perth and the wind blowing behind our sails becomes a headwind. We know who is steering the ship, but there must be a few people on board asking if we aren't a bit off course. Not a disaster, nor descending into the maelstrom but as you pointed out it is just plain weird. I didn't see the match in Perth so maybe it was closer than the result showed.
j binnie
Guest
TK-did you not read the comments made by the coach,they were "rested" to save them the 5 hour journey and "keep them fresh" for Tuesday night.. That's what I was asking.These guys are full time professional footballers and yet they have to be "rested", from sitting on their backsides on a plane !!!!!. jb
TK
Guest
I think you've answered your own question JB - they are apparently not fit.
j binnie
Guest
After a season's best performance against CCM when 5 goals were scored in a game for the first time this season the selection of this team to play Perth leaves anyone with any experience in the game, "wondering". In the CCM match Holman was substituted at half time and afterwards the team "clicked" resulting in 4 goals,and some excellent football being played by the resultant 'line up", with Broich apparently having a "flashback" to his halcyon days. Just one week later we see Holman restored to the team and Broich,Kristensen and Papadopolous, 3 of Roar's best, left at home and we are told it was to save them the effects of the long trip.!!!!!!! Are these men fit to play football or are they not?.If they are, ,they should be screaming and shouting to get picked for every game whether it involves a 4 hour flight or a 20 minute bus ride. All this talk about "player rotation" is so much tripe. If you have a squad of super star players it may have some relevance in keeping that squad happy but in the Roar's case??????? jb
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
MATCH REVIEW Perth Glory sealed their place in this year’s finals series with an impressive 3-1 win over fellow top six side Brisbane Roar at nib Stadium. Wellington Phoenix’s draw earlier in the day meant that Perth only needed a draw to cement their finals spot. In an entertaining match both sides created numerous opportunities with a combined 30 plus shots on goal as has been the trend in recent games between these two teams. Brett Holman’s deflected goal in the 57th minute cancelled out Richard Garcia’s first half opener but Glory nerves were settled just over ten minutes later when a brilliant left footed volley by Andy Keogh restored Perth’s lead. Less than ten minutes later Glory captain started off singing by the local fans after his excellent curling right foot strike that gave his side an unassailable 3-1 lead. The win will restore some badly needed confidence for Perth, their first win in five games. John Aloisi would have been disappointed with some slack defence in the second half. Poor marking and no pressure cost them the two second half goals. Nonetheless there were moments that would have pleased Aloisi. Manuel Arana had some good creative passages but striker red hot Jamie Maclaren missed several chances. The downside to Perth’s night was the injury to their little maestro Diego Castro who copped a cork thigh in the first half and came off early in the second half. Coach Kenny Lowe will be hoping it’s nothing too serious. FINAL SCORE PERTH GLORY - 3 BRISBANE ROAR - 1
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
FINAL WHISTLE and Perth win 3-1
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Final minute of injury time now. Perth will play in the finals and move up to 5th on the table.
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
82' - Risdon and Keogh combine, Risdon cross for Taggart...just can't get enough power on it. Perth 3-1
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
80' - Double sub by Brisbane
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Some poor defence on those last two Perth goals. No pressure and poor marking to blame.
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
76' - Mills on the left sideline passes in board to Griffiths just inside the box....curls it beautifully into the far corner of the net for a ripper GOAL!!! Perth 3-1
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
73' - Holman ...inside the box.....tries to curl it into the corner...but not enough curve Perth 2-1
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
70' - Glory make another sub. Wilson on for Oxborrow Perth 2-1 ...no more subs for Perth
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Perth may have just sealed their place in the finals with that Keogh goal
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Perth may have just sealed their place in the finals with that Keogh goal
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
67' - Risdon breaks down the right....long cross to Keogh....Keogh with an excellent left foot volley into the corner of the net for a GOAL!! Perth back in front 2-1
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
63' - Maclaren released from a quick pass from Pepper....onto goal...excellent block by Goian
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
61' - Arana another excellent cross to Maclaren...header....just wide 1-1
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Lucky there Brisbane. Nervous times now for Glory. Need to maintain at least a draw.