When you are about to come up against a team that has scored 10 goals in their last two matches, you would expect Perth Glory goalkeeper Eliza Campbell to be a little apprehensive.
But nothing fazes the 24-year-old shot-stopper, who is “slowly finding her feet again” after the toughest period of her career.
Campbell spent six months on the sidelines after her head collided with a goalpost while playing for the Westfield Matildas in the home series against China in November last year.
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She suffered a serious concussion and whiplash in the frightening incident, which took longer than expected to overcome.
“I had a lot of dizziness and light-headedness, and I felt fatigued all the time,” Campbell told www.w-league.com.au.
“It took me about six months or more to get over it. I had a lot of MRIs and head scans just to see what was going on.
“I wouldn’t say I was scared because I knew it would get better, but it was just not knowing how long it was going to take – that was the frustrating part.
“But I’m all good now. Everything is all mended which is good.”
And it is showing on the pitch.
After making the move from Adelaide United to Glory this season, Campbell has been a key cog in her side’s sensational start to the campaign.
Bobby Despotovski’s side is currently second, hot on the heels of league-leaders Melbourne Victory.
But the Glory are about to face arguably the biggest test of their season to date.
Perth host a Sydney FC side coming off the back of huge wins over Adelaide United (5-2) and Brisbane Roar (5-1) and with the likes of Caitlin Foord, Chloe Logarzo and Princess Ibini in ominous form.
“If we come out playing our best we can definitely give them a run for their money,” a confident Campbell said.
“We discuss it [Sydney’s goal threats] and practice a bit on how they play but usually we just focus on how we want to perform.
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“It’s a tough game this week and we can’t drop our standards. We have to perform well.”
Of course, Glory have their own attacking stars in Westfield Matildas striker Sam Kerr, Rachel Hill and Alyssa Mautz.
The trio have scored 13 goals between them for the campaign, with Kerr joint-top of the golden boot charts with six.
“They are lethal,” Campbell said of Glory’s attacking triumvirate.
Glory’s clash with the Sky Blues is part of a double-header with the Hyundai A-League fixture.
Kick-off in the Westfield W-League game is 6.30pm (AEDT), (3.30pm local).
