The groundwork has all been done, the promises have been made and now it is time for Perth Glory to deliver, says coach Tony Popovic.
The 45-year-old was appointed to the Perth hot-seat in May last year and has transformed a side synonymous with underachievement in recent years into the best in the country.
The Premiers’ Plate is already in the trophy cabinet, and now his team faces Sydney FC on Sunday to determine which club can call itself the 2018/19 Champions.
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Popovic was recognised for his efforts with the Hyundai A-League Coach of the Year Award at the Dolan Warren Awards on Monday night.
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Speaking exclusively to a-league.com.au after receiving his accolade, Popovic said that last weekend’s dramatic Semi Final penalty shootout victory over Adelaide United was just the latest step on the road to the Championship.
“[The] nerves have recovered,” he said. “Obviously when you get through such a game and come out on the right side of the ledger it’s a lot easier to sleep that night.
“We’ve enjoyed that moment and what that brings – a Grand Final to Perth Glory.
“We’ve all gone in a certain direction, where we really want to push ourselves and try to be the best that we can be.
And when you’ve got everyone going that way great things are possible, dreams are possible.”
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Three times Premiers in the National Soccer League, and twice Champions, this season’s Premiers’ Plate was the first silverware of the Hyundai A-League era for the Glory. Popovic hopes that success can drive the team on as the Grand Final and Sydney FC await.
“It’d be fantastic for the city [to win the Championship],” he said. “It’s been a long time waiting to get the club back to the top, where it was accustomed to being in the past.
“Words are one thing: we promised the people of WA that they’ll see by our actions that we want to be the best we can be and a team they can be proud of.
“They’ve jumped on board and can see that we mean business this year.”
Watch Popovic’s interview in full at the top of this page.