Glory Youth Ready for Semi-Final Against Adelaide

Perth Glory youth are firing up for their semi final bout against Adelaide United at Clipsal Stadium on Sunday.

After finishing second on the table in their most successful season in the National Youth League, Perth are preparing to take charge of their first ever finals berth.

Young superstar Dean Evans says that while this will be one of the biggest matches the squad has ever played in, they remain focussed and aren’t letting the pressure take over.

“I think for all the boys it’s going to be a really big game, but come Sunday we’re going to treat it like any other match.

“We won’t be thinking much about the next step, we’ll just be focussing 100 per cent on playing well.

“We’re not going to let the pressure get to us, we’re all level-headed and we just want to concentrate on the 90 minutes at hand.

“We’ve been working on our strength throughout the week and I’m sure we’ll give Adelaide a really good go on Sunday,” Evans said.

Perth will be bolstered by the return of Evans, whose brilliance in defence was sorely missed in last week’s match against the Newcastle Jets. Also coming back into the side is Steve Hesketh and Glen Trifiro, who have both had outstanding seasons.

Evans believes the addition of the talented trio will add depth to the squad who are facing a quality opponent.

“The three of us were out last week against the Jets and we probably missed a leader on the pitch.

“With our captain Steve back in he’ll get all the boys fired up for the game and with me and Glen back through the middle, it’ll give the squad that bit of stability we lacked.

“I think the players around us will gain a bit of confidence from that and hopefully we can show Adelaide what we can do,” Evans said.

Perth and Adelaide have been involved in some great battles this season, but after three encounters, the scoreboard is even with both teams having won a game each and the third ending in a draw.

The last time the two teams met was only three weeks ago when Perth valiantly beat the home side 1-0. Evans says the Glory youngsters will take confidence from that win heading into this weekend’s contest.

“Every time we play Adelaide it’s always a hard fought game and I don’t think this weekend will be any different.

“Were expecting nothing less from them than to come out hard from start to finish so we’ve just got to be on our toes and match that intensity,” Evans said.

“I think all the boys are just really excited. We’re ready for them and we can’t wait to get out there,” Evans said.

National Youth League: Semi-Final

Perth Glory v Adelaide United

Sunday, 14 March 2010 at Clipsal Stadium, Perth

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.

McMurray Wins Night Series Final Late for Perth

A goal three minutes from time from Perth SC striker Ian McMurray has given the Dorrien Gardens club a come from behind 2-1 victory against Western Knights in the final of the Bam Creative Night Series in front of a huge crowd at the Clipsal Stadium on Sunday evening.

The Knights had led at the break with a Stuart Montgomery strike but with six minutes to go Greg Sharland curled in a superb free kick to level before McMurray headed home from close-range after Knights keeper Frazer Siddall could only parry another Sharland set piece into his path.

It completed a fifth consecutive night series crown for Perth, and McMurray was happy to score the winner. “We’re very happy with the win, I thought we started well but the Knights scored a good goal and we sat back and really didn’t play that well to be honest and we couldn’t get our game plan going. But Greg’s (Sharland) free kick gave us confidence near the end and I was there to finish off his second free kick late on, so I’m delighted,” said McMurray.

Both sides made changes for the final, the Knights made one change from the side that beat Sorrento in the Semi-final, bringing back skipper David Annall in place of Anthony Campbell who dropped to the bench. While Graham Normanton made three changes to the side that beat ECU Joondalup last week, Luke Martino replaced Jason Saldaris in goal, while David Onoforo and Robert Sciascia replaced Genaveo Human and Simon Wilson, who both dropped to the bench.

Before the game the big crowd stood for a minute’s silence for Doris Marocchi, mother of former Perth Italia and Socceroos Gary, who passed away in the week.

It was Perth who opened the brighter and the first chance fell to Onoforo on seven minutes. After good work on the right by Sciascia, his cross found the striker at the back post but he fired wide.

Moments later a quickly taken free kick from Dom de Felice sent Sharland clear down the left, the former Perth Glory winger’s dangerous cross was well claimed by the alert Frazer Siddall with Onoforo ready to pounce.
The Knights, who lost to Perth in last season’s top five finals, began to get their passing game going and on 18 minutes and had their best chance of the game. Daniel Micevski’s good run and shot was well saved by Martino at his near post.

It was the Knights who were dictating terms and on 23 minutes Simon Versaico found space down the right. The former Canning City midfielder picked out Daniel Trim in the box, he chested down to Paul van Dongen, whose shot from eight-yards was well saved by Martino.

Their pressure paid off four minutes later when they hit the front. A long ball into the box was misjudged by Perth defender Trent Kay, and Montgomery pounced and fired home low past a stranded Martino.

On the balance of play the Knights deserved their lead, and they went close to doubling it on 39 minutes. Again it was Daniel Micevski who provided the run and cross and Trim’s header looped up over Martino, but landed on top of the net.

Perth were struggling to get their passing game going, but they should have equalised three minutes before half time. Sciascia’s corner from the left found the unmarked Robbie Puca at the back post but he Perth skipper headed wide from close-range.

The Knights opened the second half well, and Versaico’s cross found Trim, his shot was blocked, the rebound falling to Montgomery whose shot was well saved by Martino, who was keeping his side in the game.

It was all the Knights as Paul Price’s side looked for the second goal to kill off the game, and when Daniel Micevski’s corner from the left fell to Annall at the back post the Knights skipper volleyed wide.

Martino came to his sides rescue again on the hour tipping over a Trim header, and moments later Versaico, who was causing Perth allsorts of problems, crossed from the right, Trim headed back across goal but David Price blazed over from close-range.

It looked like it was going to be the Knights night, but they just couldn’t find the second goal to finish Perth off. Montgomery saw his long-range shot flash just wide of the post on 80 minutes.

Perth pressed late looking to get back in the game and they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box on 84 minutes after referee David Scragg spotted a handball from David Price. Sharland stepped up and curled a superb free kick up and over the wall and into the top corner of the net, giving Frazer Siddall no chance.

It was a bitter blow for the Knights, but it got worse three minutes later. Another Sharland free kick, 20-yards from goal, bounced just in front of Siddall who could only parry the ball into the path of McMurray who headed home much to the delight of the Perth supporters.

It then went from bad to worse for the Knights, when in stoppage time Daniel Micevski was given a second yellow card by referee Scragg and was sent off.

But the Knights still had one last chance to send the game into extra time. A good run and cross from David Price in the fifth minute of stoppage time picked out Campbell but his header was straight at Martino who saved.

At the final whistle the Perth player’s celebrated another night series crown and Coach Graham Normanton was happy to get the win. “We really didn’t come to the party tonight, but we ground it out to the final whistle and we got the late goals and that’s football I suppose,” said a relieved Normanton.

“Fair play to the Knight’s they took the game at us and I thought they deserved to win the game tonight but at the end of the day it’s goals that count. They had seven or eight shots in the first fifteen minutes of the second half and didn’t convert we had two at the end and scored from both of them,” added Normanton.

Western Knights: GK Frazer SIDDALL, 2 Garth LECKY, 3 Duncan HIND, 4 Paul VAN DONGEN, 5 David ANNALL, 6 David PRICE, 7 Daniel MICEVSKI, 8 Daniel TRIM (11 Anthony CAMPBELL 73’), 9 Simon VERSAICO, 10 David MICEVSKI, 11 Anthony CAMPBELL, 19 Stuart MONTGOMERY

Substitutes not used: RGK Jacob CHUDY, 12 Daanial FRANCIS, 13 Marco WARMT-MURRAY, 17 Stuart SIDDALL
Yellow Cards – Price, 35’, Lecky 46’, David Micevski 59’, Daniel Micevski 86’ & 92’
Red Cards – Daniel Micevski 92’

Perth SC: GK Luke MARTINO, 2 Trent KAY, 5 Michael BLACK (10 Andreas OLIVIERA 46’), 6 Shaun KILKELLY, 7 Matt DANSKIN (13 Simon WILSON 72’), 8 Robbie PUCA, 9 David ONOFORO (17 Genaveo HUMAN 61’), 16 Ian MCMURRAY, 18 Dom DE FELICE 23 Greg SHARLAND, 24 Robert SCIASCIA.

Subs not used: RGK Jason SALDARIS, 15 Jack CLISBY
Yellow Cards – Kilkelly 1’, Kay 41’, Oliviera 51’,
Red Cards –

Referee – David Scragg
Assistants – Hugh Best and Josh Mihevic

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

Night series final Preview

The first silverware for the season is up for grabs this weekend with the final of the Bam Creative Night series between last season’s winners Perth SC and Western Knights at Clipsal Stadium on Sunday evening (6pm)

Both sides suffered shock losses in the opening group games, Perth losing 1-2 to Cockburn City, while the Knights were beaten 0-1 by Premier League new boys Balcatta, but both have been back to their best in the quarter and semi finals and Sunday’s game will be a cracker.

Knights’ keeper Frazer Siddall is looking forward to the game, and believes they head into the game full of confidence. “We had a hiccup in the opening game, but with no disrespect to Balcatta, that was only our second game as a squad and weren’t at full strength. We definitely missed the influence of David and Daniel Micevski that day, since then we have begun to settle as a team and the squad is finally start to bond as a unit more, especially since we had a lot of departures and some great new signings such as Stuart Montgomery and Paul van Dongen,” said Siddall.

After losing to Perth in last season’s top five finals, Siddall believes that is now in the past, and the club are looking forward. “On Sunday I would love to win no matter who it is against, obviously Perth beat us in the finals last season and it would be nice to beat them on Sunday, even if we do it won’t erase the memories of last year, I think I can speak from the squad when I say we hate losing with a passion and I know I don’t want that feeling of losing in a final to Perth again,” added Siddall.

Perth midfielder Greg Sharland and Knights playmaker David Micevski have been in great form for their respective clubs and both will play a huge part in Sunday’s game and both are looking forward to the big game. “A great rivalry has started to begin between the teams and I know we are all looking forward to a big game,” said Sharland.

“They have acquired some quality players in the off season and with David and Daniel Micevski now back they have a lot of players that can win the game of their own boot.  I feel we have a squad that is capable of anything this year and with more youngsters coming through the ranks spots will be hotly contested, and this can only be good for the club,” added Sharland.

The defeat against Cockburn made Perth more determined and they hammered Swan United 7-0 in their next group game, and Sharland believes they are improving with every game. “The squad has definitely moved forwards throughout the competition. In the first game Cockburn really put in a strong performance against us however we felt in the second half we should have got more from the game,” said Sharland.

“With Normo and Coyney they never base our games on score lines always on performance so I think the whole squad knew we would pick results up as the competition went on.  It is great to be part of another grand final match and hopefully the boys can make it a record five in a row,” added Sharland.

Micevski missed the Balcatta game but he believes the Knights have started to gel in recent weeks. “I missed the Balcatta game but we have improved gradually through the group stages. Since my brother and I return it’s nice that we have made such a positive influence to the side, and we’re beginning to gel and will only get better the more games we play,” said Micevski.

On Sunday the Knights will be tough opponents and Sharland believes it will be tough game. “Obviously with Dave Micevski having the year he did last year we will need to watch him closely however I am really looking forward in taking on their new recruit Paul Van Dongen.

“I have known Paul all my life as he has been a neighbour since I was born. He had a great year in a struggling side last season and after scoring the winner against a very good Floreat side last week I know he is just as pumped as I am for another big game,” explained Sharland.

Former Perth SC player, Micevski, knows Saturday will be tough game but one he’s looking forward to. “After being the best team after 22 rounds last season it was disappointing not to win the grand final and be crowned champions. We owe them one and hopefully we can come away with the win on Sunday,” said Micevski.

“We know it will not be easy, as they have some quality players. Dave Onoforo seems to have a knack of scoring against us so we need to keep a close eye on him. Also we can’t allow players like Robbie Puca and Greg Sharland too much time on the ball as they will hurt you,” added Micevski.

All in all it should be a great night of entertain so get down and support your team – entry is only $8 adults and $6 concessions with under-15’s admitted free.

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)

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