It’s a battle of east against west and WA pride will be on the line, when Perth Glory FC takes on rivals Melbourne Victory in the quarter final clash of the Westfield FFA Cup.
The City of Perth has shown its support by lighting up Council House in “Glorious” colours, turning the iconic building into a stunning spectacle.
Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi and the City of Perth have thrown their support behind Perth Glory FC for the Quarter-Final clash.
“The City of Perth wishes Perth Glory FC well” the Lord Mayor said.
“The bright lights of Council House will leave no doubt as to which soccer team we support.”
Council House will be illuminated in Glory colours for one more time tonight, Tuesday October 28.
The fixture shapes up as a landmark match for Perth Glory FC, as the club attempts to make its first semi-final in any competition since the run to the Hyundai A-League Grand Final in 2012.
Perth Glory FC custodian Daniel Vukovic is relishing the opportunity to create history as the first Westfield FFA Cup champions.
“It’s the first real silverware up for grabs this season and we’d love nothing more than to win it,” Vukovic said.
“We’ve had a good run so far and we certainly want to extend it tomorrow night.”
Although Perth Glory FC lost 2-0 to Adelaide United at the weekend, the 29-year-old goalkeeper stressed the team was focused on the Victory game.
“We don’t dwell on anything in this league, we’ve got a game tomorrow night, which is great. We can easily forget about Sunday’s game and concentrate on this game tomorrow.”
“Everyone wants to play, regardless of whether they’re old or young or whether their bodies are sore at the moment,” he said.
In terms of pride, the stakes could not be higher for Perth Glory FC. In the first three rounds of the Hyundai A-League, only Melbourne Victory and Perth Glory FC have sat at the top-of-the-table, with the Victorians taking the top position off Glory this week. Glory’s last Hyundai A-League finals appearance was a heartbreaking 2-1 loss after extra-time to Melbourne Victory back in season 2012/13.
The most intriguing aspect of the match will be how each team’s strikers fare on the day. The Hyundai A-League’s leading top goal scorers in Perth’s Andy Keogh and Victory’s Besart Berisha, have scored four goals in the opening three games of the season. Both strikers already have scored a hat-trick each in the opening three rounds and also have scored three goals each in the Westfield FFA Cup.
The match kicks off at 7pm at nib Stadium on Wednesday night.
Tickets are still available, click here to be a part of the action tomorrow night.
It’s never too late to become a member, click here to join the Perth Glory FC family.
HYUNDAI A-LEAGUE FACT
Perth Glory FC have only ever been defeated once in normal time in all eight competitive knock-out games of the Hyundai A-League era, which came at the hands of Besart Berisha after a questionable penalty in the 2011-12 Hyundai A-League Grand Final.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Who could stop Keogh and Berisha?
DINO DJULBIC vs. Besart Berisha
Although Perth Glory FC suffered a 2-0 loss to Adelaide United in South Australia last weekend, Dino Djulbic proved his worth with a solid showing in the backline. Many of the corners conceded by Perth Glory FC were a result of his shrewd tackling ability, and throughout the game, the twice-capped Socceroo stifled crosses from Goodwin and Ferreira on both wings. The 6”4 defender also poses an aerial threat off corner kicks, scoring an impressive 12 goals in 71 overseas appearances in the last two years.
MATTHIEU DELPIERRE vs. Andy Keogh
Melbourne Victory unveiled a gem when they signed ex-VfB Stuttgart defender Matthieu Delpierre, and the former France U21 defender has impressed since joining the Hyundai A-League. The 33-year-old scored an impressive volley against Asian Champions League finalists Western Sydney Wanderers in Round 1 and has been a vital part of Victory’s two clean-sheets in the Westfield FFA Cup.
SQUADS
Perth Glory FC: 1. Danny VUKOVIC (GK), 2. Jack CLISBY, 3. Brandon O’NEILL, 5. Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 6. Dino DJULBIC, 7. Youssouf HERSI, 9. Andy KEOGH, 10. Nebojsa MARINKOVIC, 11. Richard GARCIA, 13. Diogo FERREIRA, 15. Jamie MACLAREN, 17. Mitch NICHOLS, 18. Jack DUNCAN (GK), 19. Josh RISDON, 20. Daniel DE SILVA, 21. Scott JAMIESON, 23. Michael THWAITE (C), 24. Matthew DAVIES
*****Two to be omitted*****
Melbourne Victory: 1. Nathan COE (GK), 5. Mark MILLIGAN (C), 6. Leigh BROXHAM, 7. Guilherme FINKLER, 8. Besart BERISHA, 9. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 10. Archie THOMPSON, 11. Connor PAIN, 13. Andrew NABBOUT, 14. Fahid BEN KHALFALLAH, 15. Daniel GEORGIEVSKI, 17. Matthieu DELPIERRE, 18. Dylan MURNANE, 20. Lawrence THOMAS (GK), 21. Carl VALERI, 22. Jesse MAKAROUNAS, 23. Adrian LEIJER, 24. Scott GALLOWAY
*****Two to be omitted*****
WESTFIELD FFA CUP QUARTER-FINAL
Perth Glory v Melbourne Victory
Wednesday, 29 October 2014
nib Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 7:00pm local (10:00pm AEDT)
Entry: VIA GATE 4 ONLY
Referee: Alan Milliner
