Preview: FFA Cup semi final: Glory v City

John Greco @Grecs7 1445311077,1512103108

Perth is on the cusp of a second consecutive Westfield FFA Cup final. In their way is Melbourne City aiming to bounce back from Derby Day heartbreak on Saturday and in doing so spoil the Glory party to ensure an all-Victorian final.

Westfield FFA Cup 2015 Semi Finals – Match Day 1 Preview
Perth Glory v Melbourne City FC
Wednesday 21 October 2015
nib Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 6:30pm local (9:30pm AEDT)

Referee: Shaun Evans
Assistant Referee 1: George Lakrindis
Assistant Referee 2: Josh Mannella
Fourth Official: Matthew Southern
AAR 1: David Bruce
AAR 2: Adam Fielding

Tickets: Click here for ticketing details

TV Broadcast: Live and exclusive on FOX SPORTS 505 from 9:00pm (AEDT)

Click here to go to the official match centre

Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #PERvMCY

Ante Covic celebrates with Michael Thwaite after Glory's shootout win over the Wanderers.

Perth Glory squad: 1.Ante COVIC (gk), 2.Alex Grant, 3.Marc WARREN, 5.Antony GOLEC, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Gyorgy SANDOR, 10.Nebojsa MARINKOVIC, 12.Jerrad TYSON (gk), 13.Diogo FERREIRA, 14.Chris HAROLD, 15.Hagi GLIGOR, 16.Sidnei SCIOLA, 17.Diego CASTRO, 18.Mitch OXBORROW, 19.Josh RISDON, 20.Guyon FERNANDEZ, 21.Stefan VALENTINI, 23.Michael THWAITE

**Two to be omitted**

Unavailable: 8.Ruben ZADKOVICH (knee – indefinite ), 11.Richard GARCIA (suspended)

Melbourne City FC squad: 1.Thomas SORENSEN (gk), 4.Connor CHAPMAN, 6.Erik PAARTALU, 8.Aaron MOOY, 15.David WILLIAMS, 16.Jason TRIFIRO, 17.Wade DEKKER, 18.Paulo RETRE, 19.Ben GARUCCIO, 20.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 21.Stefan MAUK, 22.Jack CLISBY, 23.Bruno FORNAROLI, 24.Patrick KISNORBO, 25.Jacob MELLING, 28.Steve KUZMANOVSKI, 34.Stefan ZINNI, 36. Matt MILLER

Unavailable: 3.Aaron HUGHES (calf – 1 week), 5.Ivan FRANJIC (quad – 3-5 weeks), 7.Corey GAMEIRO (suspended – 1 match – accumulation), 9.Harry NOVILLO (hamstring – 2-3 weeks), 10.Robert KOREN (calf – 2 weeks), 11.Michael ZULLO (calf – 3-4 weeks), 14.James BROWN (foot – TBC), 26.Marc MARINO (knee – 3 months)

BLUFFER’S GUIDE

We may be just two years into the competition but Glory is already proving itself to be the Cup kings.

A second straight Westfield FFA Cup semi-final for Kenny Lowe’s troops and they get to do it in front of their home fans.

While Glory’s Hyundai A-League form has been patchy so far, you can’t say they haven’t earned their spot in the semis. Glory has done it the hard way to make the last four.

Two penalty-shootout victories – including the quarter-final success against the Wanderers – and playing almost 120 minutes with 10-men against Brisbane’s Lions FC.

Lowe will demand the type of spirit and character shown in those wins to get through this clash as well.

If Glory has had to scrap and fight their way to the semis, it’s been a total contrast for City.

They’ve almost coasted to the last four. John van ‘t Schip’s side has amassed 12 goals in their three matches so far, including five against both Wellington Phoenix and Heidelberg United.

And in Aaron Mooy they have arguably the competition’s most influential player. The Socceroo midfielder is the Cup’s leading scorer but will also look to boss the middle of the park.

While there will undoubtedly be a tinge of disappointment following their derby defeat to Victory on Saturday, City will head west confident.

They are a squad full of ambition, vibrancy and determination to live up to the expectation on their shoulders.

This will be an absolute beauty. Who will hold their nerve to book their spot in the decider? It will be tight and don’t be surprised if we go beyond the 90 minutes.

WHAT THEY SAY

Kenny Lowe (Perth Glory coach) - "We’ve just got to make sure our rest and recover is top-notch and everybody is fit and raring to go on Wednesday – and they will be. You saw the level of commitment from the players, they are focused and wanted to win that desperately.”

Aaron Mooy (Melbourne City midfielder) – “We’ve got to back ourselves against anyone. Perth is a strong side and made the final last year but we’ve got to take out the best if we want to be the best.”