Popovic: Glory has more in store
PERTH Glory’s 15-year silverware drought is over, but coach Tony Popovic says his team still has unfinished business as they attempt to cap a fairytale season.
Glory’s 1-0 win over Newcastle on Sunday saw it claim the A-League Premiers Plate with two rounds to spare.
The win secured Glory’s first piece of silverware since its 2004 NSL title triumph, as well as a spot in next year’s Asian Champions League.
Popovic allowed himself and his players to enjoy the moment on Sunday night.
But with an A-League championship still up for grabs, Popovic said it would be business as usual when Glory players — including former North Geelong Warriors Matthew Spiranovic — return to training. “They’re the best team in the league, that’s a fact. The club goes into Asia, that’s also a fact,” Popovic said.
“Now we need to get ourselves right for that major semi-final here.”
Glory will take on secondplaced Sydney FC at Jubilee Stadium on Thursday night, before rounding out the regular season at home to Wellington.
Popovic has the luxury of being able to rest some key players, and it’s an option he may take given there’s only a four-day break before the clash with Sydney.
Juande and Jason Davidson both picked up leg injuries against the Jets, while Chris Ikonomidis is still working his way back to full fitness after dislocating his shoulder earlier this month.
Popovic won the Premiers Plate in his first season at the Wanderers in 2012-13, but said he would allow himself to enjoy his one at Glory even more.
Jets coach Ernie Merrick said Glory’s consistency meant it deserved to be favourites to win the A-League’s Championship.
But he didn’t like the current finals format, which gives the top two teams a bye in the first week of the finals before a knockout semi-final.
“The most consistent team has been Glory by far, but there’s no double chance anymore,” Merrick said. “To me, one of the top two teams at the end of the season proper should be in the grand final.”