Perth Glory's head coach, Adam Griffiths, has made it clear his team will not be drawn into a physical battle when they host Brisbane Roar this weekend, insisting his focus remains firmly on executing their own game plan.
Griffiths Dismisses Tactical Distractions
As the A-League Men season continues, all eyes are on the upcoming match at HBF Park. Brisbane Roar, under the guidance of former Socceroos defender Lucas Pantelis, have developed a reputation for a robust, confrontational style of play. However, Griffiths, who took over as Glory's interim coach in late February, is refusing to let that narrative dictate his team's preparation.
"We're focusing on ourselves," Griffiths stated emphatically. He acknowledged Brisbane's tendency to engage in physical duels but stressed that Perth's primary objective is to control the aspects of the game within their power. "They're a physical team, they want to get about you, they want to make it a scrap... but for us, it's about what we can control," he added.
Building on Recent Momentum
The Glory are entering the match with a boost of confidence following a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Melbourne City in their previous outing. That result, secured with ten men after Mark Beevers was sent off, demonstrated a resilient and organised defensive performance that Griffiths is eager to build upon.
The coach highlighted the positive atmosphere within the squad, pointing to the character shown against City as a foundation for future success. "The mood's been really good," Griffiths said. "We showed a lot of character in the last game... it's something we can build on." He believes that fostering a strong team spirit and a clear tactical identity is more crucial than worrying about an opponent's aggressive tactics.
Key Players and Strategic Focus
Griffiths confirmed that defender Johnny Koutroumbis is available for selection after serving a suspension. However, he indicated that changes to the starting lineup that performed so well against Melbourne City would be minimal. "We'll probably be similar," he noted, suggesting stability is key.
The interim coach's philosophy centres on proactive football. He wants Perth Glory to impose their style on the contest, rather than simply reacting to Brisbane's approach. This means focusing on ball retention, structured movement, and creating scoring opportunities through their own system. The message to the playing group is to embrace the challenge and trust in their own abilities and preparation.
With the match scheduled for Saturday, 23 March, at 7:00 PM local time at HBF Park in Perth, Griffiths and his team have a clear goal: to continue their development and secure a positive result in front of their home supporters, regardless of the nature of the contest.
