Welcome to A-Leagues Life, where KEEPUP brings you all the latest news and goings on at your club. This is how the week is shaping up across the A-Leagues and beyond.
Glory gearing up for Hammers date
Perth Glory have kick-started pre-season training ahead of two big fixtures next month.
Glory’s 2022-23 Isuzu UTE A-League campaign only ended in May, but Perth have returned to the pitch as they gear up for the July 15 friendly against Premier League side and UEFA Europa Conference League champions West Ham at Optus Stadium.
Perth are also due to meet Macarthur FC in an Australia Cup play-off three days later.
“It’s just good to see them (the squad) after a good holiday with family and friends,” said Perth captain Mustafa Amini.
“Get back to work and we’ve got West Ham and the Australia Cup game. So we’ll work hard and be ready for the West Ham and Australia Cup game and then hopefully tamper down a bit then get ready for the season.”
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On the Australia Cup game, Amini added: “For us being in Perth and being so far away from everyone, it’s vital to win the FFA Cup game so we can stay in the cup and have those games leading into the season.
“October the season starts, so hopefully we have six proper games to go and before we head into round one.”
Secure your tickets to Glory v West Ham in Perth!
Glory are without a coach after the surprise resignation of Ruben Zadkovich earlier this month.
DID YOU KNOW?: Postecoglou’s Tottenham are coming to Australia in July!
Zadkovich departed, having initially stepped in as senior head coach on an interim basis in March 2022, before taking over on a permanent basis for the 2022-23 Isuzu UTE A-League season – leading the club to a ninth-placed finish.
A coaching team including Kenny Lowe, Andy Keogh, Danny Milosevic and Ivan Zuvela oversaw Perth training at the start of the week.
The majority of the Glory squad were on the training field, though goalkeeping pair Cameron Cook and new signing Oli Sail – who arrives from Wellington Phoenix – were absent due to international duty.
Sail is the only new signing confirmed so far, with Perth farewelling Liam Reddy, Jacob Dowse (Newcastle Jets), Brad Jones (retired), Keegan Jelacic (Gent), Antonee Burke-Gilroy, Pierce Clark, Jack Clisby, Zach Duncan, Matt Hatch, Mitch Oxborrow, Adrian Sardinero and Jacob Young.
Western Australia is playing host to a pair of Premier League clubs, with London rivals West Ham and Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham touring the state in July.
Glory will face the Hammers at Optus Stadium on Saturday, July 15 in the first of the two fixtures, before Spurs and West Ham go head-to-head at the same venue on Tuesday, July 18 in what will be Postecoglou’s first match in charge.
Secure your tickets to Spurs v West Ham in Perth!
At the time of the announcement, Glory CEO Anthony Radich said: “It is a great honour for Perth Glory to have the opportunity to play against another high-profile English club with such pedigree and tradition.
“As a club, we cannot wait to be involved and I’m sure our Members, fans, players and staff will be excited to be a part of what promises to be an equally memorable football event.
“We look forward to welcoming West Ham fans from WA, interstate and the rest of the world and coming together to create a fantastic atmosphere at what is a magnificent venue.”
Feature image credit: Perth Glory
Western academy player off to Denmark
Abel Walatee is embarking on a new challenging, leaving Western United’s academy for Danish outfit Akademisk Boldklub Gladsaxe (AB).
The 19-year-old winger has signed a four-year deal with the club who are in the third tier of Danish football – the Danish 2nd Division.
Walatee joined Western in 2021 and this season he has scored four goals in 15 appearances in NPL2 VIC. It is a tally only bettered by teammate Max Bisetto.
“Since joining the club, Abel has steadily improved upon his undeniable talent but has taken a big leap forward in his development this season which has culminated in interest from overseas,” said Western’s academy director Anthony Frost.
“Abel has sharpened his tactical understanding of the game, as well as physical output enabling him to be a key player in the U23 team’s success this season.
AB are one of the oldest clubs in Denmark, and they were originally based in Copenhagen.
In 1999, they won the Danish Cup and Danish Super Cup.
However, they have not competed in the top tier – Superligaen – since 2003-04.
A-Leagues talent fuel Joeys
Adelaide United sensation Nestory Irankunda stole the show with a memorable brace, headlined by a first-half thunderbolt, but there were other talented A-Leagues youngsters who impressed.
Perth Glory’s Giovanni De Abreu, Adelaide forward Nathan Amanatidis and Sydney FC attacker Mitchell Glasson were also on target for Australia as they bounced backed from a first-up loss to Saudi Arabia.
De Abreu has been playing for Perth’s academy, while Glasson has made nine appearances and scored twice for Sydney FC Youth in NPLM NSW this season.
The Joeys face Tajikistan in their final Group C fixture on Thursday, with Australia still in contention to reach the knockout phase.
