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A-League form no worry to Glory's Popovic

3 minute read

Perth Glory's poor form since the A-League resumption is not worrying Tony Popovic heading into an elimination final against Wellington.

Wanderers coach TONY POPOVIC looks on during a Western Sydney Wanderers A-League training session at Pirtek Stadium in Sydney, Australia.
Wanderers coach TONY POPOVIC looks on during a Western Sydney Wanderers A-League training session at Pirtek Stadium in Sydney, Australia. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Perth coach Tony Popovic is not worried about his team's indifferent form as they head into an A-League elimination final against Wellington Phoenix.

The Glory have won just two of six matches since the competition resumed in July, with one of their four defeats a 2-1 loss to the Phoenix last month.

That victory at Bankwest Stadium was the Phoenix's sole win in six matches since the restart but Popovic says neither team's form will be a factor when they open the the finals series on Saturday.

"I don't believe that when the kick-off commences tomorrow evening that anyone from Wellington or anyone from Perth Glory will care about what the results were prior to this match," Popovic said.

"This is the game that matters and we have to be ready for a knockout match."

The Phoenix have suffered a double injury blow with English forward Gary Hooper and defender Tim Payne both ruled out for the remainder of the season due to hamstring injuries.

While Payne hasn't featured for Ufuk Talay's team since the restart, Hooper's absence is a worry with the ex-Celtic player scoring eight goals and notching four assists this season.

Popovic doesn't however expect the Phoenix to alter their style greatly without Hooper, sticking to the principles that led them to third-place in one of the best campaigns in the New Zealand club's history.

"We haven't really concerned ourselves too much about particular individuals, more about them as a team and as a unit, how well they attack," Popovic said, revealing his team will also be missing a striker with Olyroos attacker Nick D'Agostino sidelined with a hamstring strain.

"Our approach will be the same in terms of respecting their players in the front third who are very dangerous.

"Nothing will change on that front and we're ready for whoever may play in his place."

Saturday's match at Bankwest Stadium kicks off at 5pm AEST.

KEY MATCH STATS

* Perth and Wellington have met twice in A-League finals before, both games going in to extra time with both clubs having a win each.

* The Phoenix's 2-1 win over Perth in July was their first victory over the Glory in six matches.

* The Phoenix have won just one of their past six A-League finals matches, a 3-2 win over Sydney FC in 2012.

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