by Ben Gilby (23/12/25)
Above: Perth Glory head coach Stephen Peters talking to the media today. Image: Perth Glory
Perth Glory head coach Stephen Peters is well aware of the challenge his side face in Sunday’s game at Melbourne City, but given that his players have gained two straight victories against teams who have dominated possession against them, he believes they are capable of extending their unbeaten run at AAMI Park.
Those victories against Adelaide United and Wellington Phoenix came with Glory coming out on top despite, at times having significantly less of the ball and territory. Peters recognised: “Adelaide are the second highest in the league for possession, so they are very good at retaining the ball, they’re just not converting it into goals.”
“In my opinion, Wellington are a very good side, and they showed that against Sydney. Those two teams, just because Glory beat them 1-0 doesn’t mean they’re bad sides. They’re good sides, and I think it puts us in good stead going into this game because I think it’s similar characteristics in terms of both those teams…want to dominate the ball, City certainly want to dominate the ball, they’re just a bit more fine tuned in certain areas.
“I’m just really proud of the players who have put us in a position where we can take this challenge on in a good mindset.
“It’s a good platform for us, but we can’t get too excited as we have lots of areas to improve in, and there’s a lot of football in front of us and City are a great challenge for us, and a team we respect highly, but we obviously can’t respect them too much.”
Perth’s focus for Sunday’s showdown will be on maintaining focus and making the bare minimum of mistakes on top of taking chances when they come.
“They (Melbourne City) are an incredible challenge. You always have that game in the back of your mind, particularly in that stadium (AAMI Park), so we’re going to have to be very, very good, both with the ball, and without the ball. (We have to) pay attention to their strengths, but also try and highlight ours.
“We just have to be good with our high press. I think it’s something we bring to the table and we’ve got to be competent once we win the football. We have no problem winning the football off teams, it’s just what we do with it from there. I think it’s a little bit of a confidence thing – once we see some tangible outcomes from that, I think we’ll grow from that,” the Glory boss said.
In terms of injury news, Peters is waiting for further details on defender Onyi Zogg, who missed Sunday’s win over Adelaide United.
“It was a precaution to keep her out of that (Adelaide United) game because she was feeling a that quad a little bit, so hopefully the scan comes back good, and that she’s available to play.”
Whilst Zogg joined fellow back liner Naomi Chinnama on the sidelines last weekend, a young locally produced defence featuring Tijan McKenna, Mischa Anderson, and Grace Johnston were impressive, perhaps not surprising given how long the trio have played together in the Western Australian scene, despite their tender years.
Peters also gave an update on captain Izzy Dalton and Emma Tovar’s niggles, stating, “Dalts is going to be an ongoing one, we’re just going to have to keep on looking after her.
“She doesn’t know how to tune it down, she just goes an a hundred miles an hour, which we love about her. Emma, I’m hoping she’s pulled up well. I spoke to her yesterday (Monday) and she feels like she’s pretty good.”
Follow Impetus on social media:
@ImpetusFootball on X, Instagram and TikTok.
impetusfootball.org 