Melbourne Heart FC will look to arrest a two-game slide when it hosts the finals contending Perth Glory at AAMI Park this Sunday.
Melbourne Heart FC v Perth Glory
Sunday 15 January
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 4pm AEDT
Melbourne Heart FC will look to arrest a two-game slide when it hosts the finals contending Perth Glory at AAMI Park this Sunday.
After embarking on a Club record five-match winning streak, Heart suffered a minor stumble last week, suffering an unexpected 1-3 loss to Adelaide United before being held to a 1-1 draw by Gold Coast United.
With Club captain Fred ruled out for at least four weeks, Heart will be forced to call upon its reserve stocks to cover the substantial void created by Brazilian-s injury.
In his absence, the Red and White will rely upon the creative drive provided by versatile midfielder Matt Thompson and winger Mate Dugandzic to craft avenues to goal, with Jason Hoffman and Kristian Sarkies to provide the drive and distribution necessary to dictate the tempo of the contest.
While Argentine Jonatan Germano has trained strongly this week, it remains to be seen whether head coach John van ‘t Schip calls upon the former Estudiantes midfielder to make an immediate return or opts to take a more conservative approach in ushering back into the first team.
Given the tough schedule awaiting Heart over the next week, van ‘t Schip may be forced to take a prudent stance as he attempts to nurse his side through a three-match home swing which sees the side battle some of the strongest sides in the competition.
Having been denied a deserved point in Wellington last week by a last gasp strike, Perth Glory are sure to be motivated to secure a result from the contest and avenge its home loss to Heart in December.
A recent draw with Brisbane Roar provided clear evidence of Glory-s undoubted quality, emphasising the West Australian-s ability to snare a result against the competition-s front runners.
Previous Results
17 December 2011 – Perth Glory 1 Melbourne Heart FC 2 @ nib Stadium
16 October 2011 – Melbourne Heart FC 1 Perth Glory 2 @ AAMI Park
15 January 2010 – Perth Glory 1 Melbourne Heart FC 1 @ nib Stadium
Player to Watch
Mile Sterjovski – The former Socceroo has begun to demonstrate glimpses of the quality which saw him feature at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and sign for Derby County during the Rams recent stint in the English Premier League, netting a stellar effort against Brisbane Roar last week.
Fact of the Week
Perth Glory boast a strong recent record in Melbourne, having only lost once in its last five matches on Victorian soil.
Squads
Melbourne Heart squad: 1.Clint Bolton (GK), 2.Michael Marrone, 3.Brendan Hamill, 4.Simon Colosimo, 6.Matt Thompson, 7.Rutger Worm, 8.Kristian Sarkies, 9.Maycon, 10.Wayne Srhoj, 11.Alex Terra, 13.Jonatan Germano, 15.David Williams, 16.Aziz Behich, 17.Jason Hoffman, 18.Curtis Good, 19.Eli Babalj, 23.Mate Dugandzic, 30.Sebastian Mattei (GK)
*three to be omitted*
In: Maycon (promoted), Simon Colosimo, Jonatan Germano, Wayne Srhoj (all return from injury)
Out: Fred (groin 4-6 weeks)
Unavailable: Nick Kalmar (back – 4 weeks), Kliment Taseski (foot – indefinite)
Perth Glory squad: 1.Danny Vukovic (Gk), 2.Josh Mitchell, 3.Bas Van Den Brink, 4.Billy Mehmet, 5.Steve Pantelidis, 7.Jacob Burns (C) 8.Adam Hughes, 9.Shane Smeltz, 10.Liam Miller, 13.Travis Dodd, 14.Steven Mcgarry, 15.Tommy Amphlett, 16.Evan Berger, 17.Todd Howarth, 18. Jesse Makarounas, 19, Josh Risdon, 21.Mile Sterjovski, 22.Adam Taggart, 27.Andrezinho 30. Lewis Italiano (Gk)
** Five To Be Omitted**
In: 3.Bas Van Den Brink (Returns From Injury), 4.Billy Mehmet (Returns From Injury), 15.Tommy Amphlett (Promoted),18. Jesse Makarounas (Promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: 6.Chris Coyne (Achilles), 11.Victor Sikora (Hip – Long Term Injury List), 12.Scott Neville (Knee), 20.Neil Young (Abdominal)
