The Hyundai A-League Finals is here and what better way to get things started with a Trans-Tasman match-up between two of the competition’s most entertaining sides.
It’s a Distance Derby with a difference as Wellington Phoenix take on Perth Glory in the first of a week-long festival of football to decide this season’s Champion.
The setting is Saturday afternoon at Bankwest Stadium (kick-off 5pm AEST) in a match-up that is equally as exciting as it is hard to predict.
There’s been 12 goals scored in the three meetings this season, with Glory edging out the Phoenix with two wins to one.
But – as the saying goes – it’s a whole new ball game in the Finals Series and both clubs will be happy about that after somewhat limping into the playoffs.
Phoenix haven’t won any of their last four games heading into this one, while Glory have tasted victory in just one of their last five matches (with four defeats).
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So whichever side can rediscover their mojo first might just be the one that stays alive and moves into the Semi Finals.
The attacking stars in both sides should ensure there’s goals in this clash, with the likes of Phoenix’s Ulises Davila, David Ball and Reno Piscopo going head-to-head with Bruno Fornaroli, Joel Chianese and Gabriel Popovic.
And don’t be surprised if this clash goes beyond the 90 minutes.
These sides have met twice in the finals before, with both of those matches going to extra-time for one win apiece.
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Wellington Phoenix v Perth Glory
When: Saturday, August 22
Kick-off: 5pm AEST
Venue: Bankwest Stadium
Broadcast: FOX Sports 507
Stream: MyFootball Live App, Kayo Sports
Ways to watch
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ABC TV
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How to follow the action
Match centre: Live updates, videos and statistics
Follow @ALeague on Twitter and join the conversation using #WELvPER #ALeague
Team news
Wellington Phoenix squad: 1.Stefan MARINOVIC (gk), 2.Liam McGING, 3.Luke DEVERE, 4.Te Atawhai HUDSON-WIHONGI, 5.Matti STEINMANN, 7.Reno PISCOPO, 8.Cameron DEVLIN, 9.David BALL, 10.Ulises DAVILA, 11.Jaushua SOTIRIO, 12.Brandon WILSON, 13.Liberato CACACE, 14.Alex RUFER, 16.Louis FENTON, 17.Callan ELLIOT, 21.Callum McCOWATT, 27.Steven TAYLOR (c), 30.Zac JONES (gk), 31.Ben WAINE, 32.Sam SUTTON **2-4 to be omitted**
Ins: 2.Liam McGING (promoted), 16.Louis FENTON (promoted), 32.Sam SUTTON (promoted)
Outs: 23.Walter SCOTT (Not Selected)
Unavailable: 6.Tim PAYNE (Injured – hamstring), 88.Gary HOOPER (Injured – hamstring)
Perth Glory squad: 2.Alex GRANT, 3.Jacob TRATT, 5.Ivan FRANJIC, 7.Joel CHIANESE, 8.James MEREDITH, 9.Bruno FORNAROLI, 13.Osama MALIK, 16.Tomislav MRCELA, 20.Jake BRIMMER, 21.Tarek ELRICH, 22.Vince LIA, 23.Dane INGHAM, 25.Carlo ARMIENTO, 27.JUANDE, 28.Gabriel POPOVIC, 29.Kristian POPOVIC, 33.Liam REDDY (gk), 50.Daniel MARGUSH (gk), 88.Neil KILKENNY (c), 61.Yianni PERKATIS ** 2-4 to be omitted**
Ins: 2.Alex GRANT (returns from injury), 13.Osama MALIK (returns from injury)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 18.Nick D’AGOSTINO (injured – hamstring)
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Did you know?
- Wellington Phoenix won their most recent clash against Perth Glory – 2-1 last month – but it’s been their only win against them in the last six meetings.
- Phoenix have won only one of their last six Finals Series fixtures, with that win coming way back in the 2011/12 Season against Sydney FC. They have conceded 2.5 goals per game in that span.
- Glory boasts a passing accuracy of 77.4% in the opposition half this Hyundai A-League season, the highest of any team in the competition.
- Phoenix have conceded just four goals in the opening 30 minutes of games this Hyundai A-League season, fewer than any other team in the competition and seven less than Glory.
Tipping
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