Perth Glory's head coach Stephen Peters is rallying his squad to carry their newfound defensive resilience into a daunting showdown with A-League Women powerhouses Melbourne City this Sunday.
Defensive Fortitude Faces Ultimate Test
The Glory head to AAMI Park in Melbourne buoyed by two consecutive 1-0 victories, results built on a foundation of defensive grit. Peters acknowledged that overcoming City on their home turf presents an "incredible challenge", especially considering Perth's last win against this opponent came back in 2023.
While recent successes have been founded on a deeper defensive block, Peters revealed his team has another tactical option ready. "We're going to have to be very good both with the ball and without the ball," he stated, emphasising the need to nullify City's threats while exploiting Perth's own strengths.
High Press and Player Returns Key to Strategy
A pivotal part of the game plan could be implementing an aggressive high press. Peters identified this as a crucial weapon if his side is to cause an upset. "We've got to be really good with our high press, it's got to be something we bring to the table," he said.
The coach also pointed to converting possession into meaningful chances as the next step. "We've got no problems winning the football off teams, it's just what we do with it from there. It's a little bit of a confidence thing," Peters explained, hoping for tangible outcomes to build belief.
In a significant boost, the squad could be reinforced by the return of key personnel. Midfielder Isobel Dalton and centre-back Oninyechi Zogg have both been named in the travelling party, despite managing knee and quad injuries respectively.
Injury Updates and Midfield Boost
Peters provided insight into the careful management of his players. He described Dalton's relentless style, noting, "She doesn't know how to tune it down; she's 100 miles an hour, which we love about her." Her condition will require ongoing attention.
Furthermore, the coach expressed optimism about midfielder Emma Tovar, who is progressing well after her own injury setback disrupted a strong start to the season. "Hopefully we can start to progress her a little bit more," Peters said, highlighting the potential impact of having both Tovar and Dalton available. "If we can get her and Dalton on the pitch at the same time, that's a pretty good thing for us."
All focus now turns to Sunday's encounter, where Perth Glory's defensive solidarity will face its sternest examination yet against the league heavyweights.
