Wellington Phoenix midfielder Leo Bertos is taking Naum Sekulovski’s prediction of a Perth Glory win in this Sunday’s Hyundai A-Leauge minor semi-final at Westpac Stadium with a grain of salt.
The Glory left back has predicted a 3-1 win for his side and added: “I’ll score one – a Johnny Warren outside of the boot.”
But Bertos is not too concerned about the pre-match talk from his former Glory team-mate.
“I’ve known Naumie for a while and he’s a joker so I take it as some more jokes I suppose,” said Bertos.
“I think deep down they are a little bit worried. Maybe they have to say things like this.”
Given the Phoenix’s record at Westpac Stadium, where they have not lost since October 2008, Sekulovski’s assertion is a bold one.
In fact, the last time Wellington conceded more than a single goal in a game at its fortress was in August 2008 when it went down 4-2 to Melbourne Victory.
Add in a gruelling travel schedule and Perth’s task on Sunday is not a straightforward one.
“It’s a monster (trip). That journey is quite far but you’ve got everything – the time difference, the temperature, those are all key factors. It’s hard,” said Bertos.
“For a game like this you need to be here at least a week earlier but that’s impossible to do.”
“It’s in our favour. We’ve got a slight advantage and we need to make sure we can jump on that.”
For Bertos, reaching the Hyundai A-League finals series for the first time with his home town club and playing in front of its passionate fans will be a special moment.
“The confidence is right up there. The boys are buzzing,” he said. “Everyone just wants to get out there and play the next game as quickly as possible because while we’re on a high we want to play as many games as we can.”
“It’s good to be at home this weekend and I’m sure the fans will turn out.”
But the Wellingtonian concedes Perth will also be buoyed by the fact it is in the finals for the first time as well.
“I suppose they’ve got a little bit of confidence too as it’s the first time they’ve got to the finals as well,” he said.
“They are a team we’ve found hard to play against and it will be a physical game, a tough game.”
“But we don’t worry about them. We’ve just got to worry about ourselves and make sure that we’re ready and raring to go. If everyone is on their game we will win it.”
