by Ben Gilby (6/3/24)
Above: Morgan Aquino speaking to the media today ahead of Perth Glory’s Distance Derby against Wellington Phoenix at Macedonia Park on Friday night. Image: Perth Glory.
Morgan Aquino is arguably one of the A-League Women’s players of the season. The goalkeeper leads the stat lists for most saves made and percentage of saves. Ahead of this weekend’s hugely important home game with Wellington Phoenix, the in-form shot-stopper revealed some of the keys to her career-best form.
The last two seasons have seen Aquino sharing the goalkeeper jersey with first Courtney Newbon and then Sarah Langman. But this year, despite potentially fierce competition with Sally James and Lilly Bailey, the 22-year-old has started every game, and that is the prime reason for her outstanding showings week in week out.
“It’s just down to confidence. Getting the minutes under my belt really helped, getting backed by Alex (Epakis, head coach) to get out there and perform and not worry too much. The girls around have also helped as well…I feel like I’m in form and I can’t really complain at the moment.
Despite getting a point from the long trip to a Newcastle Jets side who have been in solid form recently, Perth are still without a win for the calendar year. With only four games of the regular season left, time is running out for the Glory to claim the spot in the Finals that at the end of 2023 looked to be a virtual certainty.
On Friday night, Wellington Phoenix arrive at Macedonia Park in Balcatta after making the 5,200km + (3,200+ mile) journey. With the Nix fading after a strong start to the season, sitting third bottom, Aquino knows there is a vital three points on offer for Perth.
“It can be huge, it can get us into the (top) six…that’s what we focussed on at the start of the season…It’s going to be tough, it’s going to be fast, but if we stick to our game plan and give it our all, we should come away with the three points…we just need to not put too much pressure on ourselves, just go out there and enjoy it and work together as a team.”
The Western Australian side have been backed by good crowds all season, and the goalkeeper sees the vocal fans as vital to getting the ‘fortress Macedonia Park’ vibe back on the road to resurrecting the club’s Finals hopes.
“The fans will be huge, they get behind us and give us an energy boost and we want to do it for them.”
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