V Is For Victory
By: Ben |
2 Comments
Late one again, I know, but I thought I needed to acknowledge another big 3 points for the Glory this weekend.
Perth knocked off champions Melbourne 2-1 on Friday night and while I missed the game (I was watching the Eagles at Subi Oval?!?!), I managed to catch the 2nd half on fox on saturday morning.
I thought we looked pretty good and the old heads at the back ensured there would be no injury-time panic, as we saw too often last season. That’s promising.
Also, I still think the jury is out on Branko Jelic, despite the Serbian scoring two goals. I’m not convinced, yet. I do rate Eugene Dadi. But what Jelic’s 2 goals (tap-ins) does, is ease the pressure on him and hopefully he’ll come good.
Another thing was Mile Sterjovski’s contributions to both goals, with a real touch of class for the header which created the rebound for Jelic’s 2nd. Sterj is really a good addition even though he hasn’t scored yet. Hopefully he’ll break the drought in Canberra this Friday.
Indeed, we’ve got the Mariners in the capital. I’m sure it’ll be chilly, but hopefully we can finally get 3 on the trot. I’ll, finally, be watching.
Category: Perth Team News
Cue the Headline Cliches… Glory Shoot Down Jets
By: Ben | 2 Comments
I’m a couple days late, but I can’t really enlighten you on much anyway as I missed the weekend’s game, but if you didn’t know, Perth Glory beat Newcastle Jets 2-0 on Sunday.
Goals from Wayne Srhoj and Adriano Pellegrino mean Glory grab their first points of the new season. Good stuff.
By all reports Victor Sikora was pretty good in midfield, while I saw on the highlights Mile Sterjovski went close to scoring his first for the club with a smart 2nd half near-post header.
Next weekend it’s the champions Melbourne on our paddock, the newly renamed ME Bank Stadium. It’s a Friday night clash and again unfortunately I can’t make it as I’ve got an AFL commitment with the West Coast taking on Richmond, or more importantly it’s the return of Ben Cousins to front the Eagles members.
Anyway I’ll miss it again which is a deadset shame and I might write a piece on The Roar about this woeful fixturing which is surely harming Glory’s early season crowds. There were over 9000 at the Jets game on Sunday, but perhaps there could’ve been a few more bums on seats without them playing on the same day as the Dockers. Anyway, I’ll keep you posted.
Category: Perth Team NewsMidweek Glory Training
By: Ben | 3 Comments
Gday folks. As I’ve just arrived back in Perth and haven’t got too many commitments at the moment, I thought this morning I’d take up invitation from Glory media manager Mark White and head down to training.
I noted a couple of things which were of interest. The captain situation is something which interests me and whilst watching on I noted Chris Coyne is a loud lad in defence, while Jacob Burns (the skipper) is much quieter but a thorough professional. Nevertheless, I pondered too myself ‘who is the best captain for Glory?’ Andy Todd maybe could be, but he seems to still be settling in. But I think maybe Chris Coyne would’ve been a better choice than Burns.
Another thought which crossed my mind is why on Earth didn’t Eugene Dadi play last week. I know the lads where just training and having a kick-around, but Eugene pops away alot of chances. He’s quality at A-League level and I think looks a far better player than Branko Jelic (although I’ll give the Serb some more time to impress, but preferably off the bench).
Also some other things which I thought were interesting, was how impressed I was with Tando Velaphi in goals. Looks a good lad. And the lad on the short-term deal, Matthew Mayora, looks to have a powerful shot on him, but not much else.
After the training there was a bit of a media chat with Chris Coyne and Dave Mitchell. There were a few more interesting points made, one which surprised me was Coyne was eager to point out Glory’s poor draw with 2 away matches first up whilst Adelaide have something like 6 of their first 9-10 games at home. Seems an issue out of his control, and I thought he’d be more professional than to worry bout that.
Mitchell spoke next and mentioned Victor Sikora was a 50-50 chance to play against Newcastle on Sunday. Although, I think that was a journo putting words in Mitch’s mouth, and I’d say Sikora won’t play as he didn’t train, although I did see him wandering around.
The gaffer also explained ex-Brazil international Amaral (who’s still training with the side) won’t play this weekend. In fact, the club will make a decision on his future after the weekend (probably early next week) but he definitely won’t be available for the Newcastle game.
Anyway nor will I be available for the Jets game. Other work commitments, means I’ll have to attend another sport altogether, watching the Freo Dockers take on Essendon on Sunday at Subi Oval. Not that I’m complaining about it, but it would be nice if Glory had’ve tried to fixture their matches at different time slots to the other local codes. But the AFL season (in WA at least) is over soon, so shouldn’t be a big issue in the future.
Anyway, hopefully we can get up and going this Sunday. I’ll try and do the old trick of not finding out the result and watching a replay, but in this day-and-age, I think I’ll struggle. But still, hopefully the Glory can get their wins tally off and running this weekend.
-Ben Somerford http://euroos.blogspot.com
Category: Perth Team NewsI’m Back…But Glory Aren’t, Losing 2-1 In NZ
By: Ben | 3 Comments
Sorry folks, I’ve been away for the last few weeks, finishing up my time in Europe with a few travels here and there. Long story short, I’m back in Australia and quite excited bout the new A-League season.
But my enthusiasm has been busted a bit by Glory’s stuttering start to the season which has included a 1-0 loss in Adelaide followed by a tough 2-1 loss to Wellington on the road.
I got the chance to watch Glory lose to Wellington on the weekend and I’ve got to say, I’m pretty shattered we didn’t win, or at least get a point. I thought we were good value, but it was the same old story.
It makes me wonder if Glory have made a whole bunch of superficial changes, ie. logo, shirts, big names, but not actually improved where it counts, on the park.
Nevertheless, I felt our performance against Wellington wasn’t bad, but my only issue is what Mile Sterjovski calls our killer instinct, or lack of it.
Here’s how I saw the game. Early on the match started ok, but Victor Sikora pounced on a typical A-League mistake and put Glory ahead. Good start.
But then Chris Coyne and Sikora both had problems (I believe Coyne was ill and Sikora a hip complaint?) and Wellington got on top for 5-10 minutes before we made the substitutions. It cost us, as Paul Ifill (who looked pretty handy) smashed in a close-range header from old Glory boy Leo Bertos’s cross.
Not much really happened for the remainder of the half, but we started the second stanza the better, and looked pretty fluid passing the ball around with Jacob Burns looking good alongside Wayne Srhoj.
And sub Todd Howarth was getting alot of joy down the left flank out of Phoenix RB Manny Muscat and we were looking threatening.
Jukic shot over, Sterjovski hit the crossbar, Howarth smashed one into the woodwork and then late on Wellington went down the other end and Bertos fired in a deflected free-kick for the winner.
It was pretty guttering stuff and not the result I was hoping for. 9th after 2 rounds doesn’t bode well, but if we can beat Newcastle at home next week, I think all will be forgiven as the team does need time to get it together. Hopefully Sikora and Coyne will be right for that one.
Category: Perth Team NewsGlory Slip To 1-0 GCU Defeat
By: Ben | Add Comments
An understrength Perth Glory has gone down 1-0 to Gold Coast United in their pre-season friendly down in Bunbury today.
Joel Porter scored the only goal of the game in the first-half, but Glory probably deserved better with plenty of chances going to waste.
Read the rest of this entry »
Category: Perth Team NewsGlory Win 1-0 Over Fury
By: Ben | 2 Comments
Perth Glory knocked off North Queensland 1-0 today down in Mandurah with club stalwart Jamie Harnwell scoring the winner.
Harnwell slotted the game’s only goal in the 17th minute, although the victory should have been by more as Glory dominated the game against the A-League newboys.
New signing Chris Coyne made his debut in defence and was dominant alongside Andy Todd, with keeper Tando Velaphi not tested until well into the second-half.
Branko Jelic also made his first appearance for Glory in the second-half. Mile Sterjovski was dangerous again too.
The match attracted 2780 fans down in Mandurah and Glory will have another pre-season warm-up down south when they face Gold Coast in Bunbury next weekend.
Category: Perth Team NewsGlory Thumped 5-0 By Cottagers
By: Ben | 1 Comment
Perth went down 5-0 to English Premier League club Fulham in Wednesday’s friendly at the Members Equity Stadium.
Fulham’s Andy Johnson opened the scoring in the first-half before Erik Nevland grabbed a 2nd half hat-trick with Andranik Teymourian slotting another.
Perth’s starting eleven didn’t include goalkeeper Tando Velaphi, Branko Jelic, Chris Coyne and Jacob Burns.
The XI was Aleks Vrteski, Scott Neville, Jamie Harnwell, Andy Todd, Jamie Coyne, Scott Bulloch, Mile Sterjovski, Wayne Srhoj, Adriano Pellegrino Eugene Dadi, Victor Sikora.
In the earlier game at MES, Wolves knocked off North Queensland Fury 2-1 with Robbie Fowler scoring for the A-League newboys.
Category: Perth Team NewsBranko Jelic To Debut Against Fulham
By: Ben | Add Comments
Perth Glory’s new Serbian signing Branko Jelic is expected to make his debut for the club in Wednesday’s friendly against EPL side Fulham.
Jelic is likely to make a 30-minute cameo appearance off the subs bench having only recently arrived in the country after playing with German Bundesliga club Energie Cottbus last season.
Unfortunately, Socceroo Chris Coyne (who signed with the club last week) won’t be making his debut.
Nevertheless boss Dave Mitchell says Wednesday’s game is a huge opportunity for the team to work on developing it’s game, gelling together, becoming cohesive and all that. Read the rest of this entry »
Category: Perth Team NewsWolves v Glory Highlights
By: Ben | Add Comments
Again folks, I’ve tracked down the highlights of Glory’s pre-season match (Friday’s 1-0 loss to Wolverhampton) but I’m not yet sure how to upload the videos onto the site so here’s the youtube address.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7cI6zWjeHk
By the way, be sure to return to the Offside to have a look around.
Category: Perth Team NewsWolves Down Glory 1-0
By: Ben | Add Comments
English Premier League newboys Wolverhampton edged Perth Glory tonight 1-0 at the MES.
Wolves striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake scored the only goal of the game for Wolves after barely 90 seconds.
By all reports it was a pretty decent hitout, although chances were at a premium, it seems Glory impressed.
Coach Dave Mitchell said after the game, “In general I think we can walk away with our heads held high, it was a good performance from our squad who are still learning to play together.
“We had new players coming into the team for the first time and they’ll take a few games to come together but overall it was a pleasing effort.
“We know we have plenty of things we can work on in the lead-up to the start of the A-League season however I was very happy with the way the lads applied themselves tonight and the performance should give our supporters plenty to look forward to this season.”
Perth Glory 0
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 (Ebanks-Blake 2’)
Friday, 10 July 2009
Members Equity Stadium, Perth
Crowd: 11,083
Perth Glory: 1.Tando VELAPHI, 2.Jimmy DOWNEY (12.Scott NEVILLE 50’), 3.Jamie COYNE (19.Naum SEKULOVSKI 74’), 4.Andy TODD, 5.Jamie HARNWELL, 7.Jacob BURNS (15.Howard FONDYKE 85’), 8.Viktor SIKORA (13.Scott BULLOCH 46’), 10.Wayne SRHOJ, 14.Eugene DADI, 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO (25.Ryan PEARSON 79’), 21.Mile STERJOVSKI (24.Million BUTSHIIRE 46’).
Substitutes not used: 18.Brent GRIFFITHS, 26.Dean EVANS, 30.Nick FEELY
Category: Perth Team News
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