Harnwell - This is our final!

Perth Glory face Sydney FC in their last home match of the season on Sunday and captain, Jamie Harnwell, insists that the game will effectively be a final for both sides.

If the Glory beat Sydney they will be just one point behind the so called ‘glamour team’ of the Hyundai A-League, with the final round deciding which clubs contest the finals.

Sydney have dropped to third place on the league ladder, having not won in their four matches since returning from the FIFA Club World Championships in Japan last month, and the Glory are confident they can record a victory against Pierre Littbarski’s side.

“We need to win both of our next two games and if we do that we have a good chance of making the finals,” Harnwell said.

“Sydney seem to have lost their way a little bit recently but they still have some very good players. If we beat them this weekend we will be just one point behind them and they have to go to Adelaide on the last day of the season so anything could happen.”

Glory beat the Harbour City team 1-0 in the semi final of the pre-season cup thanks to a great goal from Nick Ward. The Perth side also had the better of a 0-0 draw at Aussie Stadium in November but have yet to beat Sydney at Members Equity Stadium.

“We have played well against them so far and should have got a win last time we played them so the boys are pretty fired up to get a result,” Harnwell insisted.

“Sunday’s game will be like a final for us and it will probably be the same for Sydney too because there is so much at stake. Our boys are confident after the last couple of performances and everyone is hungry for finals football so we will give it everything we have got.”

Harnwell admitted his team had been disappointed with results at home so far this season but is determined to salvage some pride from this weekend’s vital match.

“This could be our last game of the season and we want to make sure the club’s fans have something to be proud of,” he said. “We know that our performances at home have not always been what they should this season and everyone in the changing room wants to show what we are made of.”

Sydney were touted as the glamour team of the Hyundai A-League long before the competition kicked of but they have struggled to live up to that reputation, currently trailing Adelaide United and Newcastle United Jets in third place.

Littbarski’s team are four points above the Glory at present and a win for Alan Vest’s side would put them back in the frame for a finals berth.

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster on 136 100 or at www.ticketmaster.com.au

A-League Round 20

Perth Glory vs Sydney FC
Members Equity Stadium, Perth
Sunday, January 29 – kick-off 5:00pm (local).