FFA Cup preview: Glory v Victory

Match details

Perth Glory v Melbourne Victory
Marden Sports Complex, Adelaide
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
Kick-off: 8.00pm AEDT
Watch live on 10play.com.au

Preview

Melbourne Victory is expected to rotate its squad for Wednesday’s FFA Cup play-off against Perth Glory.

Victory faces a short turnaround after opening the Isuzu UTE A-League season with a 1-0 win over Western United on Saturday.

The win came courtesy of Roderick Miranda’s 75th-minute header, giving Victory a dream start to the season and a win in Head Coach Tony Popovic’s first competitive game in charge.

Popovic will face his former club, Perth, in an FFA Cup play-off at Marden Sports Complex in Adelaide.

The clash was delayed due to coronavirus restrictions and both teams are coming off short turnarounds ahead of the encounter.

Popovic hinted Victory’s youth could be given a chance for the clash, with the Club also hosting Brisbane Roar in the Isuzu UTE A-League on Sunday.

Francesco Margiotta, Marco Rojas, Nishan Velupillay and Stefan Nigro came off the bench against Western, while Robbie Kruse, Jay Barnett and Jerrad Tyson were unused substitutes.

Velupillay was among the young Victory stars to catch the eye last season and the attacker scored in all five pre-season games ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

Victory captain Josh Brillante missed the Western encounter due to a hamstring injury and the midfielder is unlikely to be available for the FFA Cup outing. Perth was at home to Adelaide United on Saturday, playing out a 1-1 draw.

The winner of the play-off will face Adelaide City at Marden Sports Complex on December 1.

Player in focus

Velupillay caught the eye in pre-season and, after being introduced off the bench against Western, the 20-year-old was again impressive. With rotation expected, the attacker could be given more of a chance against Perth.

What they said

“We had five players that have played 60 minutes in a match, prior to today, so whether they can back up Wednesday and then back up again on the weekend, I doubt, so we’ll have to see who pulls up well tomorrow (Sunday) at training, we’ve got recovery, we’ll train Monday and Tuesday before we decide who will travel, but I’d like to think that a couple of the young players will get an opportunity on Wednesday.” – Victory Head Coach Popovic told a news conference after the win over Western United.

Last time

Isuzu UTE A-League 2020/21 Round 20
Perth Glory 2-1 Melbourne Victory
Sunday, May 9, 2021
HBF Park, Perth

Victory fell away to Perth late last season.

Kruse had a penalty saved before Nick Ansell was sent off in the second half, and goals from Bruno Fornaroli and Chris Ikonomidis were enough for Perth before Rudy Gestede netted.

Head to head

Round 20, 2020/21: Glory 2-1 Victory at HBF Park
Round 5, 2020/21: Victory 2-1 Glory at AAMI Park
Round 25, 2019/20: Glory 0-4 Victory at Jubilee Stadium
Round 17, 2019/20: Glory 2-2 Victory at HBF Park
Round 8, 2019/20: Victory 1-0 Glory at AAMI Park