Perth Glory coach Stephen Peters has delivered a powerful message of confidence ahead of his team's crucial A-League Women's clash against Sydney FC this weekend, declaring his squad should fear no opponent despite their challenging position on the ladder.
Bold Declaration Ahead of Sydney Showdown
The experienced mentor made his stirring declaration as his team prepares to host the formidable Sydney FC at Perth's home ground. Despite sitting in eighth position on the competition ladder with just one win from their opening five matches, Peters believes his team possesses the quality and determination to compete with the league's best.
"We should fear no team," Peters stated emphatically when discussing the upcoming challenge. "We've shown in patches what we're capable of, and now it's about putting together a complete performance against one of the competition's benchmark sides."
Building Momentum After First Victory
The Glory are coming off their first victory of the season, having defeated Canberra United 2-1 in a hard-fought contest that showcased the team's growing resilience. That breakthrough win has injected renewed belief throughout the squad as they prepare to face the third-placed Sydney FC.
Peters acknowledged the quality of their upcoming opponents but remained steadfast in his belief about what his team can achieve. Sydney FC, currently positioned third on the ladder, present a significant challenge, but the Perth coach sees this as an opportunity rather than an obstacle.
"They're a very good side, well-coached and with some exceptional players," Peters said of Sydney FC. "But we've been building each week, and that win against Canberra showed the character we have in this group."
Focus on Continuous Improvement
The coach emphasized that his primary focus remains on his own team's development and performance standards rather than being intimidated by their opponent's reputation or ladder position. This philosophy forms the cornerstone of his approach as he works to build a competitive and resilient squad.
"Our mindset has to be about what we can control - our effort, our structure, our execution," Peters explained. "If we bring our best to the park, we can match it with any team in this competition."
With the home crowd behind them and confidence growing after their first victory, Perth Glory now face what could be a season-defining match against one of the league's traditional powerhouses. Peters' bold declaration sets the stage for what promises to be an enthralling contest between a team on the rise and an established contender.
The message from the Perth Glory camp is clear: they're not coming to make up the numbers, but to compete with the very best the A-League Women has to offer.
