Double Delight for Glory as Todd and McGarry Re-Sign

The Perth Glory Football Club is delighted to announce Andy Todd and Steven McGarry have signed new contracts with the club.

English defender Todd has signed a one year extension while Scottish midfielder McGarry has agreed to a two-year deal.

“We’re thrilled both players have committed to Perth Glory.

“Not only are they wonderful players but they are also are quality men.

“Getting Andy and Steven to re-sign with the club is proof that class players want to play for Perth Glory and that’s a real positive,” Perth Glory Chief Executive Paul Kelly said.

After his first season in the Hyundai A-League Todd said the bitter finals loss to Wellington would be a massive incentive for 2010/11.

“I’ve definitely got unfinished business. I think we slightly underachieved this season and hopefully next season we can go one or two steps better.”

“I think we’ve got a decent squad and some very good players, maybe just need a bit of tweaking here and there. I think we just need to win more games away from home.”

Todd now hopes to finish his career in the West.

“There was no other interest (from other clubs) and I was solely only interested in staying with Perth and I’m really happy I’ve got that chance.

“I think Perth’s a great place to live. I’ve really enjoyed it from day one,” he said.

McGarry, 30, joined the club in January, also expressed his frustration with the penalty loss.

“Massively disappointed we didn’t continue but that’s something the boys have now experienced.

“Now we’ve got the hunger for it so let’s hope next season we can build on it,” McGarry said.

Glory Youth miss out on top spot

Perth Glory Youth missed out on the National Youth League minor premiership after losing 2-3 against Newcastle Jets in Saturday evening’s final league game of the season at The Clipsal Stadium in Inglewood.

The Jets, who beat the league leaders Central Coast Mariners last time out, over ran the Glory in the first half and led 3-0 at the break with goals from  Jarrad Ross,  Fabian Iacovelli, and an own goal from Glory midfielder Howard Fondyke. A second-half brace from Tommy Amphlett wasn’t enough for Gareth Naven’s side and they had to settle for second spot on the table.

With Central Coast drawing 0-0 with Sydney earlier in the afternoon, the Glory knew a win against the Jets would see them finish the regular season on top of the table, but with the finals birth already secured Naven rested a number of players who were carrying slight injuries.

Skipper Steven Hesketh, Dean Evans and Glen Trifiro were all missing for the game, while Naven decided not to bring any of the senior players into the squad.

Newcastle threatened as early as the fourth minute as Damian Brosque, the brother of Sydney FC’s Alex, swung in a dangerous free kick that curled narrowly wide of the post.

The Glory then had the visitors on the back foot, although the final ball was lacking in the final third and the Jet’s back four were on their toes and defending stoutly.

In fact it was the visitors who opened the scoring against the run of play on 17 minutes, Iacovelli’s cross picked out Ross in the penalty area and the striker fired home past Alex Pearson.

It got worse for the Glory two minutes later, when a mis-placed pass from Josh Risdon allowed Iacovelli to run onto the ball and fire home the second.

This wasn’t in the script and just after the half hour a stunning move by the Glory almost pulled a goal back. Hayden Doyle, who was deputising at centre-back for Hesketh, delivered a long ball to Amphlett on the left, the former ECU Joondalup striker evading the defence and crossed for Anthony Skorich who headed wide when well placed.

That miss came back to haunt the Glory when the Jets made it 3-0 on the stroke of half time. Fondyke’s attempted clearance looped up over goalkeeper Alex Pearson and into his own net a minute before the break.

After the break it was the Jets again who had the best opening on 67 minutes, Alex Pearson did well to get down low and smother the ball in front of the onrushing Ross, the Jets striker only making the starting XI after William Angel was injured warming up. The save from the Glory custodian proved to be a turning point and sixty seconds later the Glory reduced the deficit, Amphlett firing home from long-range.

It was game on and the home side began to dominate and seven minutes later they added another. Sebit Oyet, who had replaced Stephen Walmsley on the hour, crossed to former Western Knights striker Mario Marcinko, who teed the ball up for Amphlett to slam home his second from the edge of the box.

The Glory was dominating by this stage, but they couldn’t turn their possession into a third goal, the best falling to Marcinko, who headed over from a good position seven minutes from time.

Then two minutes later, on a quick counter attack, Newcastle came close to adding a fourth, Alex Pearson saving well from Jesse Pinto’s goalbound strike.

With time running out the Glory almost snatched a point deep into injury time, Amphlett getting on the end of a Ludovic Boi corner, only to have Jets goalkeeper Robbie Kolak save bravely at the striker’s feet.

National Youth League 2009/10 – Round 27

Perth Glory 2 (AMPHLETT 68, 75)

Newcastle Jets 3 (ROSS 17′, IACOVELLI 19′, FONDYKE 44OG’)

Saturday 6 March, 2010 at Clipsal Stadium, Perth

Crowd: 150

Referee: Steven Gregory

Assistant Referees: Tim Mihevic, Trent Fleskins - Fourth official: Josh Mihevic

Perth Glory Youth: GK Alex Pearson, 2 Ryan Pearson, 4 Sam Mitchinson, 5 Joshua Risdon, 6 Howard Fondyke, 7 Hanafi Ghazali (12 Reece Vittiglia 46′), 10 Tommy Amphlett, 11 Ludovic Boi, 13 Stephen Walmsley, (8 Sebit  Ovet 57′), 15 Anthony Skorich, (9 Mario Marcinko 57′), 21 Hayden Doyle - Substitutes not used: RGK Timothy Doyle

Yellow cards: Skorich, Fondyke - Red cards: Nil

Newcastle Jets Youth: GK Robbie Kolak, 7 Dylan Murphy, 5 Scott Balderson, 4 Damian Brosque (9 Adrian Karakolevski 50′), 2 Jon Griffiths, 14 Mario Simic (11 James Virgili 57′), 13 Fabian Iacovelli, 10 Jesse PINTO, 6 Taylor Regan, 12 Jarrad Ross, 3 Matt Sim, 8. Brodie Mooy, 20 James Fogarty- Substitutes not used: Will ANGEL, James FOGARTY

Yellow cards: Balderson, Mooy, Ross - Red cards: Nil

Glory Youth aim for the top

It’s the final round of the National Youth League this weekend and the Perth Glory knows a win against Newcastle Jets at The Clipsal Stadium on Saturday (5pm), will hand them the league title for 2009-10 and give them a home semi-final in the first week of the finals series.

A player who has been outstanding for the side this season has been Dean Evans, and the Stirling Lions youngster knows the importance of Saturday’s game. “Results last week have ensured us of a home final but to take the minor premiership has been our goal this year and we will be looking for a result on Saturday so we can put the pressure on the Mariners and hopefully they can drop points in this final round,” said Evans.

Glory have played the Jets twice this season, including a 4-0 home win on Boxing Day, and Evans knows there will be no time for complacency on Saturday. “No definitely not, as I’ve said to quite a few people, there’s no easy game in this league and the Jets will be no exception. They’ve got some strong lads up front and they surprised Central Coast 4-1 a few weeks back so we will be definitely on our toes for the game this weekend,” said Evans.

There are a few players under injury clouds this weekend, including Evans, but he hopes to shrug off the injury and take his place in the team on Saturday. “It’s been a bit of a tough time with injuries, Million Butshiire  missing over a month of football and Cam Edwards injuring his foot and will miss the finals is a big blow. We have a strong squad and many players who can fill in and do a job for the team.

“This week Steve Hesketh is in doubt, he had a little tear in his hip flexor, also its up in the air if Glen Trifiro and I will play on Saturday. Trif has a knock to his knee and I was hurt in a challenge a few weeks back against Brisbane Roar. Its just my hip joint, the pain has been ongoing for a few weeks and ill probably have to get an injection just to ease it a bit, but I’ll see how I pull up,” said Evans.

With the Glory senior side being eliminated from the finals, some players from the squad who qualify in the age group may play for the youth side, which will make the squad stronger. “There will be a few players coming down from the Senior squad, I would imagine. Andrija Jukic, Tommy Amphlett and maybe the likes of Alex Vrteski and Scott Bulloch, but at the moment I’m unsure which way Gareth will go,” said Evans.

Evans knows when it comes to finals football all teams are capable of beating one another, and he’s expecting a tough series. “We have to get Saturday’s game out of the way first, but in the finals all the teams will be strong. I think Central Coast will be our biggest threat in the finals, we generally always have a tough game with them and I think it will be no different if we face them again. Saying that, whoever finishes in the top 4 will be no push over but I think our team this year has shown we fear no one and we all believe we have what it takes to go all the way,” said Evans.

The game kicks off at 5pm at Inglewood United’s ground on Saturday – The Clipsal Stadium – get along and support the Glory youngsters.

Hett ready to return

In 2008 the first Fox 8 Football Superstars winner, Perth’s Adam Hett, won the competition and a contract with A-League side Sydney FC. Tragically the then 19-year-old injured a knee in training on the eve of the A-league, and missed the whole season.

He’s back in training now and has joined NSW Super League side Spirit FC for the 2010 season and can’t wait to get back on the park. “It happened just in a tackle at training, which was unfortunate, but my knee is feeling really strong at the moment, but it’s been a long process especially with how the timing of the seasons worked out.,” said Hett.

“By the time I came back from the injury and started playing again the 2009/10 A-league season had already started so I missed out on another contract at Sydney F.C, so I’ve had to wait for the state league season to start over here before I could get back playing again,” added the former Perth SC midfielder.

It was a bitter blow for Hett as he had trained well and looked like pushing into the first team squad in the pre-season for Sydney, but it hasn’t put him off trying his luck in the A-league again. “I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Sydney. I’m training really hard at the moment trying to get super fit again and keep injury free and strong and hopefully I can make the transition back into A-League football.

“This season my aim is to just get my confidence back playing again. After that my first goal is to try get back in the A League as soon as possible. If that doesn’t happen then I’ll be looking at either staying in Sydney and playing in the N.S.W premier league or returning to the Football West Premier League,” explained Hett.

Hett is looking forward to the season at Spirit FC and he hopes to get his match fitness back, in a league he believes is a similar standard to the Football West Premier League. “The season starts here in two weeks but at the moment pre season is going well. I would say it’s fairly similar to back in WA, and I would say that clubs such as Perth and Western Knights would do extremely well over here,” said Hett.

The 21-year-old spent a number of season’s at Dorrien Gardens after a stint at English Championship side Coventry City, and as Perth SC head into another Night Series final this weekend he remembers the coaches at the club that helped him along the way. “I enjoyed my time at Perth and all three coaches John Coyne, and Aldo Trinca and Graham Normanton gave me good advice.

“Aldo helped me make the transition into youth football and I spent a few years with Coynie and he really helped me develop my game by making me go and get on the ball as much as possible. In my last year at Perth under Normo he encouraged me to try and add more toughness to my game and helped me a lot with my defensive game,” said Hett.

The Football Superstars turned the youngster into an instant hit on the TV, and he would recommend other players to try out this year. “I don’t have any regrets about the show. I think that with the National Youth League up and running now players should be trying to get into professional football through trialling with there A-League youth teams and playing well at state league level. However, the show is also a great opportunity and is a great experience,” said Hett.

“It was a big achievement for me to win the show and it was very rewarding. I have had some great times in football and that was up there with them. My time at Coventry was also something I will never forget, and one game that sticks out was a reserves game for them against Chelsea in the English Premier League Reserves League.

“England international Joe Cole was coming back from injury and played so lining up against him in the middle of the park was a fantastic experience. Also playing in the F.A youth cup against Reading at the Madjeski stadium was a another highlight of my time in the UK,” added Hett.

It wouldn’t have happened for the youngster is he didn’t have the support of his family and his father has been a huge influence in his career. “My Dad has definitely been my biggest influence on my football. Up until the age of 17 when I went to England we spent endless hours at the park working on things, and I still call him for advice on my game even now.

“I’ve had many good coaches in my football, John Coyne encouraged me to express myself and have confidence in my ability, and obviously I also learnt a lot from people like Mickey Adams and Ian Dowie when I was at Coventry and also John Kosmina and Steve O’Connor while I was at Sydney,” explained Hett.

Edwards misses Glory youth finals campaign

Influential midfielder Cameron Edwards will miss the Perth Glory Youth finals campaign after breaking a bone in his foot against the Brisbane Roar. The young Socceroos player is devastated to miss out on the finals but will watching the boys from the stands. “I have a stress fracture in my right foot and I’m expected to be out for around three months,” said a disappointed Edwards.

“It happened about a month or so ago and has got worse over time. It started as a niggling injury and it wasn’t until I had scans which then showed the problem. At the moment the injury is going well, and all I can do now is keep of it and rest,” explained Edwards.

It is bad luck for the 17-year-old, after impressing for Perth Glory Youth, and to now miss the finals. Gareth Naven’s side have played well this season and a win on Saturday will give them the league title and a home game in the finals. “It was very bad luck for me and the timing with it being around the finals was upsetting and I was devastated at the time, but that’s football,” said Edwards.

A win this weekend against Newcastle Jets will give the Glory youth the title and Edwards believes all their hard work during the season has paid dividends.  “This season the side has more depth and quality, and training is always intense and all the boys get along really well with each other. We are also playing very well, playing good football which is attacking and aggressive.

“There have been a number of players who have stood up especially the older boys of the team. The likes of Stevie Hesketh our captain, Dean Evans, Ludovic Boi, Glen Trifiro, Ryan Pearson, etc. They have all lead by example and have played well consistently throughout the season. But all the players have played their part throughout the season to get us in the finals,” explained Edwards.

Chris Coyne Heads to China

The Perth Glory Football club has agreed terms with Chinese Super League club Liaoning Hongyun to release Chris Coyne on a loan deal.

Coyne will fly to China tomorrow, hoping to play regular football in the lead up to the World Cup.

“It’s a great opportunity.

“It’s been well advertised that Pim Verbeek (Socceroos Coach) wants us to go away and play football and I’ve had that in the back of my head.

“I spoke to Pim and going over there and playing games is important and the World Cup would be the icing on the cake,” Coyne said.

Perth Glory Chief Executive Paul Kelly said the star defender goes to China with the Glory’s blessing.

“The World Cup is the biggest show on earth.

“We would love to see Chris represent the Socceroos in South Africa and hope this loan deal gives him that opportunity”.

Coyne also thanked the club and his family for their understanding.

“It’s been a drawn out process because there are so many different parties involved but it’s worked out well.

“I wouldn’t drag myself away from my wife and kids if it wasn’t for a good reason and obviously the opportunity of getting a World Cup berth is a once in a life time opportunity so it had to be done,” Coyne said.

But the 31 year old who has played 7 times for the Socceroos will need to acclimatise quickly from Perth’s scorching summer.

“Yeah I think the temperatures range from minus 10 to minus 20 but what can you do? You take the rough with the smooth, I got used to it in Europe so I can get used to it there.”

Glory Youth Set to Soar Above Newcastle Jets

Perth Glory youth will battle it out with the Newcastle Jets this Saturday at Clipsal stadium, in a match that could see them take out the minor premiership.

The Perth youngsters are currently sitting equal top on the National Youth League table, with only goal difference separating them with the Central Coast Mariners.

Outstanding young striker Ludovic Boi says the squad is looking forward to this weekend’s match and that finishing the home and away season with a win would be the perfect ending to a solid year.

“Everyone is up for the match this weekend and keen to get out there. Hopefully we can get the three points and if the other results go our way we can sneak up on top.

“It’ll be good to finish a strong season on top of the table and I think we’ve definitely got the squad to do it,” Boi said.

After having a bye last week, Boi says the team is rested and feeling good heading into their clash with the Jets.

“Last week we trained a bit more lightly than we usually would so we could refresh ourselves and give our bodies a rest.

“I think the break will serve us well and hopefully when we play Newcastle we’ll go into the game 100% and get the win,” Boi said.

The team will be tested this weekend with influential players Steve Hesketh, Glen Trifiro and Dean Evans all sidelined with injury.

Boi believes that while the squad will miss the presence of the talented trio, he is confident the boys will pull together and adjust to the changes.

Their replacements will most likely be brought in from the National Training Centre, which will give Youth Coach Gareth Naven the opportunity to trial some fresh faces in preparation for next season.

“We’ve had to move players around a bit but I think we’ll all adapt well to the new positions.

“I think we can beat any team out there even if we have a few players missing.

“We’ve got good depth in our squad and I think that Gareth knows whether the players we bring into replace them will be able to step up to the plate so I think we should be fine,” Boi said.

With a home final all but secured for the youth lads, Boi says ending the season on a high will give them the boost they need in preparation for their first finals campaign.

“The more wins we get the more confident we get. I think if we finish the league with a win it will really lift the team and even if we don’t have our whole squad we should perform well.

“We’ve got a lot of depth and we’re pretty confident going into this weekend and the finals,” Boi said.

National Youth League Round 27

Perth Glory v Newcastle Jets

Saturday 6 March 2010 at Clipsal Stadium, Perth

Local Kick-Off: 5.00pm
Referee: Steven Gregory

Perth Glory Squad: Tommy AMPHLETT, Ludovic BOI, Tim DOYLE (gk), Hayden DOYLE, Howard FONDYKE, Mario MARCINKO, Sam MITCHINSON, Alex PEARSON (gk), Ryan PEARSON, Joshua RISDON, Anthony SKORICH, Reece VITTIGLIA

*three to be included*

Unavailable: Million BUTSHIIRE (knee – 1 week), Cameron EDWARDS (foot – 10 weeks), Glen TRIFIRO (2 weeks), Steve HESKETH (groin – 1 week), Dean EVANS (hip – 1 week).

Newcastle Jets: Will ANGEL, Dylan MURPHY, Scott BALDERSON, Damian BROSQUE, Jon GRIFFITHS, Mario SIMIC, Fabian IACOVELLI, Jesse PINTO, Adrian KARAKOLEVSKI, Taylor REGAN (c), Jarrad ROSS, Matt SIM, James VIRGILI, Dion SHAW (gk), Robbie KOLAK (gk)

Glory Youth Retains Top Spot

On a day that the Perth Glory was knocked out of the A-League finals, the Glory Youth side has retained their top spot on the National Youth League ladder with a 1-0 victory over Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium on Sunday. The 1-0 result inflicted the first home defeat of the season for The Reds, and gave the Glory youngsters a spot in the 2010 finals.

It looked like a scoreless draw appeared inevitable, but Glory striker Anthony Skorich had other ideas scoring in the last minute to give Gareth Naven’s side all three points and after Central Coast Mariners’ 1-1 draw against Melbourne Victory yesterday, the Glory lead the league by two points, with one game remaining.

It was a vital game, as a victory to the home side would see them go top of the table, but it was both sides’ defences who were on top in a scoreless first half, with Glory skipper Steve Hesketh solid at the back, but the home side suffered a blow when Kristian Sarkies left the field with a knee injury.

Hesketh’s heavy challenge in the sixth minute left Sarkies nursing what appeared to be a serious knee injury, the impact forcing the over-age midfielder to be stretchered off and taken away for scans.

United had the best chance early when Evan Kostopolous, who was coming off a two-goal haul against Newcastle a week earlier, fired wide from close range in the 14th minute.

The Reds wasted another opportunity on 25 minutes, Joseph Wright found himself one-on-one with Glory keeper Alex Pearson, but Pearson was the Glory hero saving low.

It was the home side again on 37 minutes, Perry Mitris shot was deflected over the cross bar, while four minutes later, Dane Milovanovic’s free kick just outside the box went inches past the post.

After the break the Glory lifted, their best chance coming in the 51st minute when Branko Jelic back-heeled deftly to Tommy Amphlett, the ECU Joondalup youngster’s shot was well saved by Mark Birighitti.

Then from the resulting corner, Jelic went close. Reds keeper Birighitti was left stranded, and the Serbian’s shot was cleared off the line by Shin.

It was all the Glory and on 68 minutes Ryan Pearson’ shot was heading for the top corner but the Armadale youngster’s shot was superbly saved by Birighitti, and Glen Trifiro’s follow up shot was cleared by some desperate Reds defending.

With time running out the Reds thought they had snatched the points, striker Francesco Monterosso close-range shot in the 89th minute looked like he had to score, but somehow he lifted the ball over the crossbar.
With the clock ticking into stoppage time Jelic’s free kick was high and wide, but moments later the Glory snatched the three points.

Glory substitute Anthony Skorich was on hand to score from close-range to give them the top spot on the table and a victory in the next round against Newcastle Jets at The Clipsal Stadium on March 6th will see the Glory win the League and go into the finals for the first time full of confidence.

Adelaide United 0
Perth Glory 1 (Skorich 90)

@ Hindmarsh Stadium, 21/02/2010

Adelaide United Youth squad: GK Mark BIRIGHITTI , RGK Codey LARKIN, Joel ALLWRIGHT, Andrew CIARLA, Michael DOYLE, Kingsley FRANCIS, Evan KOSTOPOULOS, Dane MILOVANOVIC, Perry MITRIS, Francesco MONTEROSSO, Matthew MULLEN, Nick MUNRO, Inseob SHIN, Alex SUNASKY, Liam WOODING, Joe WRIGHT

Perth Glory Squad: GK Alex PEARSON, RGK Tim DOYLE, Tommy AMPHLETT, Ludovic BOI, Hayden DOYLE, Dean EVANS, Howard FONDYKE, Brent GRIFFITHS, Steve HESKETH, Mario MARCINKO, Sam MITCHINSON, Ryan PEARSON, David PRICE, Joshua RISDON, Anthony SKORICH, Glen TRIFIRO, Reece VITTIGLIA

Phoenix Spot On To Down The Glory

A ten man Wellington Phoenix progressed to the next stage of the A-League finals series after a thrilling penalty shoot-out victory against Perth Glory at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington this afternoon.

After the game ended 1-1 after extra time it was Phoenix keeper Liam Reedy who was the hero saving spot kicks from Naum Sekulovski and Scott Bulloch and when former Glory midfielder Adrian Caceres converted the last spot kick the crowd of 24,267 went into raptures, the Phoenix booking a home game against Newcastle Jets in two weeks time.

Both sides were competing in their first A-league finals campaign and the home side went into the game un-changed from the side that beat Central Coast Mariners 3-0 last week, while the Glory made two changes to the side that beat Brisbane Roar, with skipper Jacob Burns and Chris Coyne returning from injury, they replaced Jamie Harnwell and Adrian Pellegrino, who dropped to the bench.

It was a packed house at the Westpac Stadium, with the ‘Yellow Fever’ out in force and it was a tense opening. The Glory dominated possession early but it was the hosts to have the first real opportunity on 13 minutes. Andy Todd’s clearing header only went to Paul Ifill on the edge of the box; his shot was saved low by Tando Velaphi.

The Glory, who had never won at the ground in the A-League, pressed forward and on 22 minutes they should have taken the lead. A quick break by Jamie Coyne caused the Phoenix problems and when Daniel McBreen picked out Scott Neville on the right the young midfielder was in on goal, but his weak shot was saved low by Reedy.

Moments later it was Neville again, he shrugged off Manny Muscat just outside the penalty area which saw him one-on-one with Reedy, but the former Brisbane Roar keeper deflected the ball wide with his foot, to keep the home side on level terms.

It was all the Glory, as David Mitchell’s side belied their poor away record in the competition to take the game to the Phoenix, and on the half hour they went close again. Burns’ slid ruler pass sent Neville clear again down the right. He picked out Wayne Srhoj in the box, but the alert Jon McKain blocked the midfielders shot.

Neville was causing the Phoenix all sorts of problems down the right and his cross on 34 minutes found the unmarked Chris Coyne who headed wide from six-yards.

Against the run of play, and in their first real attack, it was the Phoenix who hit the front on 37 minutes. Ifill’s flick on the right of the penalty area sent Muscat clear and his cross into the box found Chris Greenacre who scored from close-range, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

It was a bitter blow to the Glory but in first half injury time it could have been 2-0. Again it was Ifill, his curling shot looked destined for the top corner, but Velaphi saved superbly from the Barbados international.

The second half began at a frantic pace with both sides pushing forward. Two minutes in Steven McGarry sent Daniel McBreen in on goal, but the new Socceroos striker had his shot blocked by Muscat. Then moments later a corner from the left picked out Greenacre at the back post, he found Vince Lia on the edge of the box and his first time shot was superbly saved by Velaphi.

Still the Glory pushed forward and on 56 minutes Burns’ corner from the left was met by McBreen, but his powerful header was cleared off the line by Troy Hearfield.

It was the Glory that looked the most threatening and on 67 minutes they scored their deserved equaliser. A free kick from Burns on the right picked out the unmarked Neville in the six-yard box and the former Sorrento FC youngster headed home to level.

Both sides struggled in the final third of the pitch late in normal time, with Tim Brown’s long-range shot on 82 minutes, saved low by Velaphi, while Scott Bulloch’s shot moments later was straight at Reedy, which were the only efforts of note. In injury time the home side had a penalty appeal turned down by referee Srebre Delovski, when Chris Coyne blocked Eugene Dadi’s shot with his arm, the referee waving away the Ivory Coast striker’s appeals, and it was into extra time.

The fatigue was setting in with Neville and Burns struggling with cramp for the Glory, and the Phoenix opened the extra time brightly, Lia’s long-range shot drifting just wide.

Neville, who was really struggling with cramp, continued to give the Phoenix headaches down the right and on 94 minutes he was found by substitute Mile Sterjovski but the youngster snatched at his shot and Reddy saved
The home side suffered a blow on the 104th minute when Socceroos defender Jon McKain was given a second yellow card and he was sent off, and it was the Glory who looked to win the tie before the dreaded penalty shoot-out.

Their best chance again fell to Neville on 108 minutes; Bulloch’s cross from the left found the young midfielder at the back post and his downward header was well saved by Reedy at his near post.

It was the final chance and the game went to a penalty shoot-out, where Reedy held his nerve to save spot kicks from Bulloch and Sekulovski to see Ricki Herbert’s side into the phase of the finals series and a game against Newcastle jets in a fortnight.

Phoenix Coach Ricki Herbert was delighted after the game. “We’re through and we have another shot, so that’s great,” said Herbert.

“It was always going to be a tough, tight game and both teams had periods where they dominated and we were under a bit of pressure.

“But that’s finals football. We needed to get a result and we did. I hope people will start taking us seriously now. The fans were great tonight and they helped us a great deal, I can’t speak highly enough of Wellington. The fans have got two weeks now to get their tickets and I think the momentum will go on, and I’d be surprised if we didn’t get more than 25,000 for the next match,” added Herbert.

Glory coach Dave Mitchell was disappointed with the result but focused on the success of the side to get to the finals this season.

“We all know it’s not easy to come here, but I’m proud of their achievement this year. It’s a sad way to gout but the game plan and the way we played was great,” said Mitchell.

Wellington Phoenix – GK Liam Reddy, 2 Manny Muscat, 3 Tony Lochhead (15 Eugene Dadi 74’), 4 Jon McKain, 6 Tim Brown, 7 Leo Bertos (14 Adrian Caceres 70’), 8 Paul Ifill, 9 Chris Greenacre (18 Ben Sigmund 106’), 13 Troy Hearfield, 17 Vince Lia, 22 Andrew Durante – Subs not used – RGK Reece Crowther, 11 Daniel
Yellow Cards – McKain 32’ & 104”, Dadi 118’
Red Cards – McKain 104’

Perth Glory - GK Tando Velaphi, 2 Daniel McBreen, 3 Jamie Coyne, 4 Andy Todd, 6 Chris Coyne, 7 Jacob Burns (16 Adriano Pellegrino 113’), 10 Wayne Srhoj (21 Mile Sterjovski 57’), 12 Scott Neville, 14 Steven McGarry, 17 Todd Howarth (13 Scott Bulloch 57’), 19 Naum Sekulovski – Subs not used – RGK Aleks Vrteski, 5 Jamie Harnwell
Yellow Cards – Srhoj 20’, Neville 40’, Todd 60’, Burns 72’
Red Cards – Nil

Referee – Srebre Delovski
Attendance – 24,267

Glory Face Semi Final Showdown in Wellington

Perth Glory has arrived in New Zealand ahead of Sunday’s do or die Semi-final against the Wellington Phoenix but coach Dave Mitchell is still not sure which players will be fit enough to play.

“There are a few guys we still have to wait and see how they pull up.

“Jacob Burns and Mile Sterjovski have both travelled with the squad but whether play is another story so we’ll just see how it pans out in the next day or two,” Mitchell said.

Burns and Sterjovski have both missed the last three games after picking up injuries during Perth’s hectic schedule when the Glory was forced to play three games in six days. Burns is recovering from a hamstring tear, Sterjovski a back complaint.

The Glory landed in Wellington on Thursday afternoon after a long flight from Perth via Melbourne.

“The boys are looking forward to our first training session on the park this afternoon and we’ll go through a couple of moves and then see how they’re feeling after that but the spirits are good and everyone is looking forward to the game.”

Wellington has not lost at Westpac Stadium since October 2008, an unbeaten run stretching 17 games.

“Yeah they are confident. They haven’t lost at home in a long time. It’s a big game for them, they haven’t made the finals before and a packed house is expected.

“They are supremely confident as they should be.”

But Perth’s form since Boxing Day has also been impressive with four wins and a draw.

“We have a self belief and confidence that we can get a result here and hopefully get a home final.”

MATCH INFORMATION:

After ten years of trying, WELLINGTON PHOENIX have become the first New Zealand-based team to reach a national football league finals series, following the failure of Football Kingz in the old NSL (1999/2000 to 2003/04) and NZ Knights (2005/06 to 2006/07) to enter the finals phase. Prior to this season (fourth out of 10 teams), a New Zealand-based team has finished in the top half of a ladder just once (Football Kingz 1999/2000 – eighth out of 16 teams).

Considering past five matches, PERTH GLORY are the form team leading into the Hyundai A-League 2010 Finals Series, having lost just one from their past five matches.

The Glory however will be hoping that finals experience of its players has no bearing on things, considering that no current Perth Glory player has previously played in a finals series match (there are six squad members in each of the two other debutant Hyundai A-League Finals Series teams – Gold Coast United and Wellington Phoenix – with Hyundai A-League Finals Series experience).

Games this season:

Round 2: 16 Aug 2009 Westpac Stadium Wellington 2-1
Round 14: 8 Nov 2009 Westpac Stadium 1-All
Round 24: 22 Jan 2010 ME Bank Stadium Perth Glory 2-0

Sunday 21 February 2010
Wellington Phoenix v Perth Glory
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Local Kick-Off: 5.00pm (12pm AWST)
Referee: Strebre Delovski

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1 HD and Sky Sport 2. Hyundai A-League club radio broadcast partner is The Radio Network 1035 AM (Wellington) and 6PR (Perth) 882AM.

Wellington Phoenix squad: 2. Manny MUSCAT, 3. Tony LOCHHEAD, 4. Jon McKAIN, 5. DIEGO, 6. Tim BROWN, 7. Leo BERTOS, 8. Paul IFILL, 9. Chris GREENACRE, 11. DANIEL, 13. Troy HEARFIELD, 14. Adrian CACERES, 15. Eugene DADI, 17. Vince LIA, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 20. Reece CROWTHER (gk), 22. Andrew DURANTE (c), 40. Liam REDDY (gk)
*one to be omitted*

In: DIEGO (promoted), Ben SIGMUND (promoted)

Out: Nil

Unavailable: Mark PASTON (gk) (leg – season)

Perth Glory Squad: 1.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 2.Danny MCBREEN, 3.Jamie COYNE, 4.Andy TODD, 5.Jamie HARNWELL, 6.Chris COYNE, 7. Jacob BURNS, 9. Tommy AMPHLETT.
10. Wayne SRHOJ, 11. Branko JELIC, 12.Scott NEVILLE, 13.Scott BULLOCH, 14. Steven McGARRY, 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17.Todd HOWARTH, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 20.Aleks VRTESKI (gk), 21.Mile STERJOVSKI, 23.Andrija JUKIC
*three to be omitted*

In: Chris COYNE (returns from corked thigh), Jacob BURNS (returns from hamstring injury), Branko JELIC (promoted), Mile Sterjovski (return from back injury)

Out: Nil

Unavailable: Viktor SIKORA (Thigh – 2 weeks)

Next Page »