by Ben Gilby (24/12/24)
Above: Perth Glory head coach Stephen Peters highlighted the importance of the team improving its scoring rate from open play. Image: Perth Glory.
Perth Glory has been a team steadily growing each week this season, but whilst defensively things are consistently strong, head coach Stephen Peters recognises that things still need to improve upfront.
The Glory’s last four goals have all come from set plays – two penalties, a corner, and a free-kick. Peters knows that needs to change as his side prepares for a tough challenge from Central Coast Mariners on Friday at HBF Park.
“Yes, we need to look at what we are doing in front of goal and remind them (the players) that there are various ways we can beat the keeper, but also, we probably need a bit more composure in the final third and just a little bit more support as well. That’s the next piece of the puzzle, and it’s probably the hardest piece to get right out of all of them.
“There is a bit to look at in that respect, particularly in that we are creating chances from open play…I do believe that once we start taking our chances from open play, we’ll get able to apply scoreboard pressure more consistently and get three points more consistently.”
Perth’s attacking options have taken a knock with the revelation that Kelli Brown is likely to miss six to eight weeks due to a grade two MCL injury. The Kiwi joins fellow attacker, Impetus A-League Women Young Player of the Month for November Sarah O’Donoghue on the sidelines. It will mean a shake-up in selection in the immediate term, with the possibility of locally produced hot-shots getting a chance in the matchday squad.
Longer term, the Perth boss believes he may be in a position to bring in an additional player: “There is scope (to bring in someone on a temporary replacement basis). We’re definitely looking at one injury replacement, but there’s a bit that needs to be done there in terms of negotiations.”
Ella Abdul-Massih is also unavailable with a calf strain, although she has a chance of being back for the long trip to face Wellington Phoenix on 4th January. There is better news surrounding co-captain Izzy Dalton, with Peters revealing: “She is a chance. All her testing is going well this week. We’re looking at least some form of the game (for her).”
Miku Sunaga should also play on Friday after passing concussion protocols following her collision with Western Sydney Wanderers goalkeeper Sham Khamis last week: “She answered all the protocol questions well. She’s got quite a black eye…Miku is just a brave player, she was always going to put her head there, and thankfully she did as we wouldn’t have got the penalty (otherwise). We were struggling to score from open play, so we needed that penalty to get over the line!”
Whilst it took that 96th-minute spot-kick to secure a draw at Western Sydney, Peters was at pains to point out the real character and desire shown by his team to overcome going behind with four minutes of regulation time remaining to hit back.
“At nil-all, it looked like neither team was going to score, and then when they went 1-0 up we went into overdrive and had about five chances in five minutes…it was a bizarre game…
“We asked for consistency of performances during the week (leading up to the WSW game), and I actually felt we performed really well the last three weeks…and we’ve had a loss, a win, and a draw.
“I don’t think there has been much difference between the performances so it comes down to the level of the opposition on the day you are playing against them. I do believe we could have had the three points against Wanderers and we could have had a draw against (Melbourne) Victory. Overall, I think we are on the right path.”
The Western Australian side now faces a Central Coast Mariners side who have lost their last two games after a five-match unbeaten run at the start of the season. They are a club full of faces that are extremely familiar to the Perth boss.
“There’s been some very good recruiting from Emily (Husband, head coach), particularly Jade Pennock and (Brooke) Nunn…I think Izzy Gomez being out is a big out for them…she’s a very determined player.
“It’s a group of players that I know quite well from versing Emily and those players in the New South Wales NPL, and it presents a challenge, and after losing to Western United, back-to-back losses for them, Emily will be highly motivated to put it right, and we’ve got to be put on our guard, absolutely, they’re a tough team.”
Friday sees the Glory return to HBF Park to play in a doubleheader along with the men’s side. Peters is thrilled to be heading back to the 20,500-capacity venue, having fond memories from their win over Newcastle Jets at the stadium earlier in the season.
“It was a massive high for us, it was our first points and win for the season. The whole experience was great to play at HBF, especially for the girls who haven’t done so before. The pitch was in fantastic condition, and we loved it.”
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