Hyundai A-League leaders Perth Glory FC will take on Asian Champions Western Sydney Wanderers in what’s set to be a classic encounter at nib Stadium this Saturday, November 15.
While the red and blacks head to WA without any wins on the board they boast a former Glory star, in Perth raised Nikita Rukavytsya. The 27-year old striker played for Perth Glory FC between 2007 and 2009, scoring 16 goals and was ready to come back to ‘Glory Land’ after a stint in Germany but he was lured to the Wanderers instead.
However Perth has a former Wanderers weapon in Youssouf Hersi, who is among the leaders in passes in the Hyundai A-League. The 32-year old Ethiopian-Dutchman played in the Wanderers first two seasons (2012-2014) helping the new kids on the block reach back to back Grand Finals before his move to the west coast in the off-season.
Hersi, who is a product of the renowned Ajax Youth Academy in Holland, says irrespective of the result this weekend, Saturday night lays the backdrop to a great spectacle.
“It’s going to be a great game, they’re the winners of the Asian Champions League and we are on top of the ladder, so for the fans it’s going to be a special night,” he said.
Hersi, who played for the Foxtel All-Stars against Juventus earlier this year, says his motivation to come to Perth came from a desire to help build a new football culture in Western Australia.
“I’ve played around the world, and while my time at the Wanderers was exciting and rewarding, moving to the world’s most isolated city and linking up with a new core of players at Perth Glory FC was part of the attraction” he said.
“It’s been a good move, I’m enjoying my football and we are on top of the ladder and into the first Cup Final, it’s great to be part of history” Hersi said.
Perth has played against the Wanderers six times but has never registered a win and only managed one draw. But the Hyundai A-League leaders head into this match with an unbeaten home record this season with three from three (including the 4-2 win over Melbourne Victory in the FFA Cup quarter-final)
Kick-off is at 6.45 p.m and gates open at 5.15 p.m.
Tickets can purchased here
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Hyundai A-League Facts
Perth has started the season with four wins from their first five Hyundai A-League games of the season.
If Glory beats the Wanderers this weekend, it becomes just the second team in A-League history to have won at least 5 of their first 6 games.
Western Sydney Wanderers have lost all three of their A-League matches this season.
Western Sydney Wanderers have the worst passing accuracy in the A-League.
Match Details:
Perth Glory squad: 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, 14.Chris HAROLD, 18.Jordan THURTELL (GK), 19.Josh RISDON, 20.Daniel DE SILVA, 21.Scott JAMIESON, 22 Cameron EDWARDS 23.Michael THWAITE (c), 24.Matt Davies
***Two to be omitted***
Ins: 3.Brandon O’NEILL (promoted), 14.Chris HAROLD (promoted), 22 Cameron EDWARDS (promoted), 24.Matt Davies (promoted)
Outs: 15.Jamie MACALREN (international duty – 1 week), 17.Mitch NICHOLS (international duty – 1 week)
Unavailable: 4.Riley WOODCOCK (international duty – 1 week), 8.Ruben ZADKOVICH (back – 1 week), 16.Sidnei SCIOLA (calf – 2 weeks), 30.Jack DUNCAN (gk) (international duty – 1 week)
Western Sydney Wanderers FC squad: 1.Ante COVIC (GK), 2.Shannon COLE, 3.Daniel MULLEN, 5.Brendan HAMILL, 6.Antony GOLEC, 7.Labinot HALITI, 8.Mateo POLJAK, 9.Tomi JURIC, 10.Vitor SABA, 12.Nikita RUKAVYTSYA, 13.Matthew SPIRANOVIC, 17.Romeo CASTELEN, 18.Iacopo LA ROCCA, 19.Mark BRIDGE, 20.Dean BOUZANIS (GK), 22.Seyi ADELEKE, 23.Jason TRIFIRO, 31.Alusine FOFANAH
**Two to be omitted**
Ins: 2.Shannon COLE (promoted), 6.Antony GOLEC (promoted), 8.Mateo POLJAK (promoted), 10.Vitor SABA (returns from suspension), 19.Mark BRIDGE (promoted)
Outs: 4.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY (international duty), 16.Jaushua SOTIRIO (not selected), 33.Daniel ALESSI (not selected)
Unavailable: 11.Brendon SANTALAB (shoulder – indefinite), 34.Golgol MUBRAHTU (knee – indefinite)
TV Broadcast: Live and exclusive coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 (FOX SPORTS 4HD & 4) from 9.40pm (AEDT) and Sky Sport 4 (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast: 720 ABC Perth, Local Radio WA, 702 ABC Sydney & ABC Local Radio NSW, 666 ABC Canberra, ABC Grandstand Digital, ABC Grandstand Online/ ABC Radio Mobile phone app
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