Perth Glory have done nothing to refute their rugged reputation on the eve of their do-or-die Hyundai A-League Elimination Final with Melbourne City.
City coach Michael Valkanis tipped a physical Perth side on Sunday in his pre-game media conference at AAMI Park.
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And Glory striker Andy Keogh returned fire.
“Football is a physical game,” he told reporters.
“If they want to act like that and talk about the physical side of things, that’s their prerogative.
“But football has always been a physical game and you don’t win games by not being physical.
“We’ve proven over the three games [against them] that we’re a better side and hopefully we can prove that again,” he said.
NO CHEAP TALK FROM PERTH
Meantime, Perth boss Kenny Lowe has challenged his players to let their actions speak for them in the Finals Series.
“We can all say we want to create history and get to a Grand Final, but they’re words,” said Lowe.
“Whatever has gone before, has gone before.
“It’s all about tomorrow.
“It’s about actions.
“Big players stand up and we’ve got plenty of big players who can stand up,” he said.
GLORY’S GOAL-POWER
Lowe is certain his side has the firepower to gain Glory passage into the semi-finals.
“We scored three or more goals nine times this season,” he pointed out.
“We can score goals and that means we’re dangerous.
“You can put your formations and structures out but you’ve got to deal with Cas [Diego Castro], Keogh, Taggart [and] Harold and that’s a tough ask – not many people deal with that.
“We scored 53 goals.
“We’re the form team in the league after Sydney.
“I think the last 12 games, we’ve only lost two, so we’re doing alright,” he smiled.
