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Glory hero Reddy aims to block out Sydney

3 minute read

Perth Glory will be ready to go the distance in the A-League grand final against Sydney FC at Optus Stadium.

LIAM REDDY of the Glory rolls the ball out during the A-League match between the Perth Glory and Melbourne City FC at nib Stadium in Perth, Australia.
LIAM REDDY of the Glory rolls the ball out during the A-League match between the Perth Glory and Melbourne City FC at nib Stadium in Perth, Australia. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Perth Glory goalkeeper Liam Reddy says his heroics last week will give him plenty of confidence if Sunday's grand final against Sydney is decided by penalties.

Reddy saved four penalties in the dramatic semi-final shootout win against Adelaide, and even nailed one himself.

Glory will start as warm favourites for Sunday's A-League decider at Optus Stadium.

But if the game does go to penalties, Reddy will be backing himself in the shootout.

"Hopefully it won't go to that. Hopefully we'll wrap it up in 90 minutes," Reddy said.

"But we're prepared to go 120 minutes and then if it goes to penalties, we'll be confident going into that too.

"When it was sudden death (against Adelaide in the shootout) there was more pressure on the kicker.

"I tried to psych them out as much as possible and it worked."

Reddy has kept 12 clean sheets this season as part of the A-League's stingiest defence.

It's in stark contrast to the previous two seasons, when Reddy recorded just four clean sheets each campaign.

The arrivals of Matthew Spiranovic, Jason Davidson, and Ivan Francic has played a crucial role in Glory's defensive turnaround.

But it has also been coach Tony Popovic's ability to squeeze out career-best form from veterans Dino Djulbic and Shane Lowry that has been a key.

Reddy's strong form was rewarded with a spot in the PFA A-League team of the season.

The 37-year-old credited goalkeeping coach Danny Milosevic for his hot form, and was also quick to heap praise on his teammates.

"We've had 12 clean sheets - that's not me, that's Matthew Spiranovic, Dino Djulbic, Shane Lowry, Alex Grant, Tomi Mrcela, Scott Neville, Jason Davidson, Ivan Franjic," Reddy said.

"They've been tremendous.

"But I think the difference this year is that we defend from the front.

"Diego Castro, Andy Keogh, Chris Ikonomidis, Joel Chianese - those players start the press and they work extremely hard defending.

"It's a whole team effort to keep a clean sheet, and that's something all the players have bought into this year."

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