HBF Park, Perth
Saturday, January 31st, 11:45pm NZT
Written by Jonno Ross
Auckland FC make their longest away journey this week, as they travel to Perth to play against Perth Glory. Always tough to get a result over there, but the boys will be gunning for three points.
Like Auckland FC, Perth Glory are struggling for consistency in terms of results this season. They’re a tricky opponent for anyone to come up against – they’re unpredictable and a side who can beat anyone on any given day.
At the end of November, they went on a three-game winning streak, before it came to a halt, winning just two of their following five games. Their unpredictability is dangerous. Teams that are expected to beat Perth end up losing (for example, when they played Melbourne City and came away with a 3-1 victory).
Perth will have done their homework on Auckland FC, and will look to exploit where our weaknesses have been over the last month or so. If they utilise their danger men, they can be in with a real shout of an upset win come Saturday evening.
A win could see Glory move up a spot in the league. A loss could see them drop into last place, depending on the results of the two teams below them.
I called it last week – teams below us ARE allergic to being top of the league. After drawing 2-2 against Central Coast Mariners last weekend, it was up to Sydney FC on Monday night to take first place. It was up for grabs, but thanks to Melbourne Victory beating them 4-0, Auckland FC remained on top by a single point.
Auckland played the Mariners on home turf last weekend. What was expected to be an easy win from the fans’ point of view turned out to be the opposite. Auckland FC, in the first half especially, had many chances to put the game to bed. What looked like easy opportunities to score, we failed to execute, and the Central Coast’s keeper, Andrew Redmayne, was on fire, shutting out anything that came his way.
The Mariners’ first goal came just before the halftime break – the most inconvenient time for any team’s opponent to score. Cosgrove nodded us in front, in front of the Port in the 58th minute, and it looked like it’d prove to be the winner, before the Mariners were gifted a goal in the 89th minute. 2-2 it finished.
The team will look to redeem itself this week against Perth. They travel to a place where they’re yet to win in the league. The last time we played Perth away, the away side won 1-0, with everyone scratching their heads, wondering how we didn’t get the win.
It’s funny how things come together sometimes. Oli Sail might get his chance between the sticks this week for the first time, against his former club from last season. If he gets his opportunity, no doubt that all eyes will be on him as he makes his debut for AFC after waiting patiently in the wings.
Auckland FC have to win this week to stay top.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Perth’s Adam Taggart has the potential to upset Auckland FC this weekend. The 32-year-old hasn’t quite found his shooting boots so far this season, but the 2023/2024 A-League’s Golden Boot winner isn’t a player to take lightly. He’s got just the 3 goals to his name thus far, and will certainly look to increase those numbers when he steps out onto the pitch on Saturday night.
Jessie Randall scored a brilliant goal off a Guillermo May assist last week. A beautiful top left corner finish, bringing the winger’s goal tally to 5 goals for the season. He’s hunting down Cozzee and Brook, who are on 6 apiece.
If Corica decides to make a goalkeeping change, Oli Sail is certainly a player to watch. The ex Perth Glory keeper could be making his AFC debut. He’ll look to make an instant impact in goal.
