ALM Match Preview Zdrila Expresses Confidence and Excitement for the New Season

As the 2025/26 season kicks off, Perth Glory faces Wellington Phoenix on Saturday, October 18, at HBF Park. The match starts at 6:45 PM, and excitement is high among players and fans alike. Head Coach David Zdrilic has expressed confidence in his revamped squad following a significant off-season overhaul.

Glory’s New Squad Dynamics

This season marks a transformation for Glory with six players set to make their league debuts. Zdrilic highlighted the team’s improvements compared to last year, stating, “We are much, much better than we were last year.” The coach anticipates a strong campaign focused on making the Finals. He emphasized the success of their pre-season, where he noted excellent squad cohesion.

• A mix of experience and youthful energy.
• Seven or eight new players are expected to start.
• Positive results toward the end of the previous season as a foundation for success.

Key Players to Watch

Among the fresh talent, 19-year-old Seb Despotovski is generating buzz. The son of Glory legend Bobby Despotovski, he has shown impressive form during pre-season. Zdrilic compared him favorably to last season’s breakout star, Jaylan Pearman. “Hopefully he can keep that level and then make that next jump,” Zdrilic noted.

Glory’s lineup, however, faces some injury challenges. Key players such as goalkeeper Mark Birighitti and defender Sam Sutton will miss the game due to knee injuries. Midfielders Callum Timmins and Luke Amos might also be sidelined, while new signing Tom Lawrence is still working on his fitness.

Match Expectations

This encounter is a rematch of their July clash in the Australia Cup, where conditions were notably harsh. Zdrilic does not anticipate a repeat performance, expecting a high-energy match. He remarked on the exciting nature of the opening period, aiming to capitalize on the new squad’s dynamic play.

Wellington’s Roster Updates

Wellington Phoenix has bolstered their squad with former Glory players Carlo Armiento and Nikola Mielusnic. Additionally, they added Nigerian striker Ifeanyi Eze and Canadian defender Manjrekar James. Their roster also features promising players like Lukas Kelly-Heald and experienced figures such as Tim Payne and Kazuki Nagasawa.

For both teams, the stakes are high. A victory would allow Glory to achieve back-to-back wins against Phoenix for the first time since the 2019-20 season. This match promises to be a thrilling start to the new A-League season.

Match Details

Football fans are invited to witness this exciting clash as both teams vie for early-season bragging rights and momentum in the league.