The Western Sydney Wanderers head to Perth on Friday night to face a strong Glory side at the Sam Kerr Football Centre, looking to build on the positives from their recent 1-1 draw against league leaders Canberra United.
The point secured earlier this week came after a demanding start to January, with the Wanderers navigating a heavy schedule of matches and tight turnarounds.
Despite the physical and mental challenges, Head Coach Geoff Abrahams praised the resilience and determination shown by his players throughout the Canberra clash. He said the team had to dig deep to maintain intensity and focus against a top-tier opponent.
“It’s been a pretty brutal schedule. We played three games with very short turnarounds, and the teams we played had a decent amount of time off before it,” Abrahams said.
“To get to the third game in that schedule and be as competitive as we were, when I thought we’d be struggling to have the legs, I’m very proud of them. This group gives everything to each other, and they’ve shown a fair bit of resilience over the last few weeks. We really improved on the weekend.”
The draw also highlighted the tactical maturity of the Wanderers. Canberra struck early, but Western Sydney’s defensive organisation and patience allowed them to grow into the game.
The team’s ability to maintain composure in crucial moments paid off when seventeen-year-old Milly Bennett not only netted her first Ninja A-League goal but also made a key defensive intervention to secure the point.
“Milly Bennett was exceptional off the bench. She’s dealt with so much at 17 and has shown nothing but hard work and commitment. She’s a player I love, and her performance on the weekend showed how handling tough situations and setbacks can set players apart,” Abrahams said, shining a light on the potential within the squad’s younger players.
With the focus now turning to Perth Glory, Abrahams reflected on the lessons taken from earlier encounters with the side and the mindset needed for the upcoming away fixture.
The team is looking to harness the positives from Canberra and approach the clash with clear tactical intent.
“It was a funny game when we played them before. We dominated early but moments cost us at that time. That game is in the past now. We can only worry about the game in front of us,” he said.
“We’ve got a good game plan, and the girls are keen to get back on the park and continue the positive things we showed against Canberra.”
Perth Glory arrive with confidence, having recorded three consecutive wins and the Wanderers know they will face a technically skilled and tactically disciplined opponent.
For Western Sydney, this represents an opportunity to test their defensive composure, take advantage of attacking moments, and continue building momentum in the early weeks of the season.
As the Wanderers prepare for Friday’s clash, Abrahams’ optimism is clear. With belief returning and the squad growing in confidence and cohesion, the team is eager to translate their hard work on the training ground into results on the road.
