Australian A-League club Perth Glory will prepare for the new season at a camp in Malaysia in June and will play four Malaysian Super League clubs for training runs, apparantly, as none are representing Malaysia in the AFC Cup, the continent's second level club competition and Malaysia's national team was recently well beaten by other A-League clubs Sydney and CC Mariners and also by the semi-pro NSW Premier League club Bankstown.
“We have had a big month on the training track but being able to get some match practise into the legs will be a huge benefit for all the lads,” Glory coach Ron Smith said. “The new owners gave an undertaking when they took over the club to make every resource available for us to prepare to our maximum and this trip is a result of their commitment to Perth Glory’s success this season,” he added.
The majority of Perth’s squad will travel to Malaysia on 18 June and return 1 July with the exception of Stan Lazaridis and Jason Petkovic who is still recovering from a broken leg. Coach Ron Smith has also invited several players currently trailing with the club as they battle it out for one of the few remaining spots on the club’s list. Recent signing’s Mate Dragicevic and Nick Rizzo will meet their new team mates for the first time as they join the squad from Croatia and Sydney respectively. “This will be terrific opportunity to play some really competitive games and gel as a team before the season proper gets underway,” defender David Tarka said.
Perth Glory's match days are: 23 June 5.00pm v Selangor PKNS at PKNS Field, Petaling Jaya; 26 June 8.45pm v Perak at Stadium Ipoh, Perak; 28 June 5.30pm v Penang at University Sains Malaysia, Penang; and 30 June 5.00pm v Police FC at Pulapol Ground, Kuala Lumpur.
“We have had a big month on the training track but being able to get some match practise into the legs will be a huge benefit for all the lads,” Glory coach Ron Smith said. “The new owners gave an undertaking when they took over the club to make every resource available for us to prepare to our maximum and this trip is a result of their commitment to Perth Glory’s success this season,” he added.
The majority of Perth’s squad will travel to Malaysia on 18 June and return 1 July with the exception of Stan Lazaridis and Jason Petkovic who is still recovering from a broken leg. Coach Ron Smith has also invited several players currently trailing with the club as they battle it out for one of the few remaining spots on the club’s list. Recent signing’s Mate Dragicevic and Nick Rizzo will meet their new team mates for the first time as they join the squad from Croatia and Sydney respectively. “This will be terrific opportunity to play some really competitive games and gel as a team before the season proper gets underway,” defender David Tarka said.
Perth Glory's match days are: 23 June 5.00pm v Selangor PKNS at PKNS Field, Petaling Jaya; 26 June 8.45pm v Perak at Stadium Ipoh, Perak; 28 June 5.30pm v Penang at University Sains Malaysia, Penang; and 30 June 5.00pm v Police FC at Pulapol Ground, Kuala Lumpur.