Perth Glory and Central Coast Mariners are set for an exciting clash this Friday night at HBF Park, as both teams look to turn their fortunes around amid challenging seasons.
With both squads struggling to find consistent form, the stakes couldn't be higher as they head to the pitch for this Isuzu UTE A-League fixture. Perth, under the guidance of coach David Zdrilic, sits precariously at 12th on the ladder, with only two victories to their name this season. Meanwhile, Central Coast Mariners, coached by Mark Jackson, have managed to secure only one win from their previous seven matches, coming off the back of three consecutive draws.
The Mariners enter this encounter with some confidence, having previously dominated possession against their rivals, even if the outcomes haven't been favorable. Their last match against Perth resulted in a disappointing 0-0 draw, showcasing their inability to convert chances. Historically, the Mariners hold the advantage with 25 wins against Perth's 19, but they have only managed to secure seven wins at HBF Park, where home-court advantage has proven significant.
“We aim to bounce back and put up our best performance yet,” said Mariners' head coach Mark Jackson, who is eager to convert his players' hard work on the training pitch to tangible results. The return of key players Miguel Di Pizio and Lucas Mauragis from injury could bolster their options, adding to their attacking threat.
On the other side, Zdrilic’s Glory squad has experienced its own upheaval, welcoming new players like Yuto Misao and Lachlan Wales as they attempt to regroup after exiting the bottom of the table. “Our squad has seen revitalization, and we're ready to take on the challenge,” Zdrilic explained, hoping to leverage the fresh legs of new recruits to reverse their fortune.
Perth's last outing ended with another defeat, leaving them with little room for error. The absence of international players like Zach Lisolajski and Jaylan Pearman is compounded by injuries to Adam Bugarija and others, which has impacted their squad depth. They are finding it difficult to maintain their attacking rhythm, as reflected by their average of less than 0.7 goals per game this season. “The season has been tough, but it’s about how we respond now,” noted Glory striker Adam Taggart, who remains hopeful for Individual contributions to go along with team efforts.
The encounter promises to be competitive as both sides seek to disturb the current momentum. Six of Mariners’ last eight games have been high-scoring affairs, and 63% of their matches featured goals on both sides. This gives fans hope for what could be another thrilling battle at HBF Park.
Kickoff is scheduled for February 7, 2025, at 7:45 AM (Brazil time). Both teams will be aiming for three points to steer clear of the bottom-half mire of the standings and aim for brighter prospects as the season progresses. With both coaches determined to inspire their sides, it’s sure to be a night of football to watch closely. “It’s always tough at HBF Park. We know their capabilities,” added Taggart, encapsulating the challenge awaiting the Mariners as they aim for redemption on the road.