2007–08 Perth Glory FC season

Perth Glory FC
2007–08 season
StadiumMembers Equity Stadium
A-League7th
A-League Pre-Season Challenge CupRunners-up
Top goalscorerLeague: Jamie Harnwell (8)
All: Jamie Harnwell (10)

The 2007–08 Perth Glory FC season was the club's 11th season since its establishment in 1996. The club competed in the A-League for the 3rd time.

The Glory finished 7th in the 2007–08 A-League season, making them the worst Australian team in the A-League, for the second consecutive season. Given the team's promising pre-season performances, expectations at the club were to achieve a top 4 finish, or to at least significantly improve over the performance in the previous A-League season. After a poor start to the season, without a win after the first 11 games and Glory winless for 18 consecutive A-League matches, coach Ron Smith departed[1] and assistant coach, David Mitchell took over for the rest of the season. After 2 wins from his first 4 games in charge, Mitchell was rewarded by having his contract extended till the end of the 2008-09 Season.[2]

Squad changes for 2007-08 season

In

Date Pos. Name From Fee Ref.
2 March 2007 MF Billy Celeski Bulleen Lions Free [3][4]
2 March 2007 MF Anthony Danze Inglewood United Free [5][6]
2 March 2007 DF Dino Djulbic South Melbourne Free [7][8]
2 March 2007 DF Jimmy Downey Australian Institute of Sport Free [9][10]
22 March 2007 GK Tando Velaphi Perth SC Free [11]
22 March 2007 MF Tommi Tomich Western Knights Injury Loan Cover [12]
27 March 2007 MF Nikita Rukavytsya Perth SC Free [13]
1 April 2007 DF Nikolai Topor-Stanley Sydney FC Free [14]
19 May 2007 MF Nick Rizzo Milton Keynes Dons Free [15]
24 May 2007 DF Simon Colosimo Sivasspor Loan return [16]
25 May 2007 FW Mate Dragičević NK Pula Free [17]
10 July 2007 DF Hayden Foxe Leeds United Free [18]
15 July 2007 MF Mitchell Prentice Pahang FA Free [19][20]
4 August 2007 FW James Robinson Marconi Stallions Free [21]
4 September 2007 DF Tyler Simpson Sydney Olympic Free [22][23]
4 September 2007 MF Jordan Simpson BSC Young Boys Free [24][25]
4 September 2007 GK Danny Milosevic Inglewood United Short-Term Injury Loan (1 Week) [26]

Out

Date Pos. Name To Fee Ref.
January 2007 MF Stuart Young Mandurah City Free [27][28]
February 2007 FW Bobby Despotovski Inglewood United Free [29][30]
February 2007 FW Luka Glavas Sydney FC Free [31][32][33]
February 2007 MF Adrian Webster Blacktown City Demons Free [34]
March 2007 FW Mimi Saric Campbelltown City Free [35]
March 2007 MF Josip Magdic Floreat Athena Free [36]
March 2007 DF Ante Kovacevic Floreat Athena Free [37]
21 May 2007 MF Jeremy Christie Wellington Phoenix Free [38]
July 2007 MF Mark Robertson FC Sopron Free [39][40]

Mid-Season Transfers

Date Pos. Name From Fee Ref.
15 November 2007 FW Ante Kovacevic Floreat Athena Short-Term Injury Loan (2 Weeks) [41]
15 November 2007 MF Mark Lee ECU Joondalup Short-Term Injury Loan (2 Weeks) [42]
15 November 2007 GK Danny Milosevic Inglewood United Short-Term Injury Loan (2 Weeks) [43][44]
18 November 2007 FW Jerry Karpeh Floreat Athena Free [45][46]

Mid-Season Losses

Date Pos. Name To Fee Ref.
10 September 2007 & 24 November 2007 GK Danny Milosevic Inglewood United Loan Return [47][48][49]
3 November 2007 FW Mate Dragičević Free agent Free [50]
24 November 2007 FW Ante Kovacevic Floreat Athena Loan Return [51][52]
24 November 2007 MF Mark Lee ECU Joondalup Loan Return [53][54]
16 December 2007 GK Tommi Tomich Western Knights Loan Return [55][56]

Players

First team squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  AUS Jason Petkovic
2 DF  AUS Nikolai Topor-Stanley
3 DF  AUS David Tarka
4 DF  AUS Simon Colosimo
5 DF  AUS Jamie Harnwell
6 DF  AUS Dino Djulbic
7 MF  AUS Anthony Danze
8 MF  AUS David Micevski
9 FW  CRO Mate Dragičević
10 MF  AUS Billy Celeski
11 MF  AUS Stan Lazaridis
12 MF  NZL Leo Bertos
13 FW  AUS Nikita Rukavytsya
14 DF  AUS Jamie Coyne
15 MF  AUS Mitchell Prentice
No. Pos. Nation Player
16 MF  AUS Nick Rizzo
17 DF  AUS Jimmy Downey
18 DF  AUS Hayden Foxe
19 MF  AUS Naum Sekulovski
20 GK  AUS Aleks Vrteski
21 FW  ENG James Robinson
22 FW  LBR Jerry Karpeh
24 MF  AUS Jordan Simpson
25 DF  AUS Tyler Simpson
26 DF  AUS Mark Lee
27 DF  AUS Ante Kovacevic
30 GK  AUS Tando Velaphi
40 GK  AUS Danny Milosevic
50 GK  AUS Tommi Tomich

Friendlies

Malaysian Tour

Perth Glory began their pre-season with three preseason friendlies in Malaysia. Firstly the team defeated Selangor PKNS 3-0 with goals to David Tarka, Naum Sekulovski and Anthony Danze. Perth then moved on to sweep Perak FA 4-0 with a brace to both Nikita Rukavytsya and Jamie Harnwell. Finally, Perth defeated Penang FA 5-1 with another brace to Rukavytsya and goals to Nick Rizzo, Danze and Mate Dragičević.

Local Friendlies

Following the tour of Malaysia, the Perth Glory squad was hit hard by injuries and illness, ahead of a planned series of games against Football West State League sides. Nikolai Topor-Stanley was granted leave due to personal issues, while Mate Dragičević was forced to return to Croatia as a result of visa complications. With only twelve players to call on, Perth Glory succumbed to a 2-1 defeat to Perth SC, with Rukavytsya scoring early in the second half. Perth Glory postponed the remaining friendlies, citing the depletion of their playing stocks.

Pre-Season Cup

Round Date Home team Score Away team Crowd Stadium
1 14 July 2007 Newcastle Jets 0 - 1 Perth Glory 2,700 Port Macquarie Regional Stadium
2 20 July 2007 Adelaide United 1 - 1 Perth Glory 3,513 Hindmarsh Stadium
3 28 July 2007 Perth Glory 2 - 1 Melbourne Victory 2,700 Darwin Football Stadium
SF 4 August 2007 Central Coast Mariners 2 - 3 Perth Glory 5,967 Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium
GF 12 August 2007 Adelaide United 2 - 1 Perth Glory 9,606 Hindmarsh Stadium

Perth Glory began their Pre-Season Cup campaign with a 1-0 victory over Newcastle Jets. Jamie Harnwell scored in the second half. However, Perth's injury problems were compounded with Anthony Danze and David Micevski the latest players to be put out of action. Perth Glory rushed to sign Mitchell Prentice ahead of the match in order to boost their playing stocks.

The following week, Perth Glory drew 1-1 with Adelaide United. Nikita Rukavytsya scored in the 53rd minute after being played through by a Jamie Harnwell backheel. Cássio equalised in the 60th minute via a well-taken freekick. Hayden Foxe and Nikolai Topor-Stanley made their debuts for the Glory, with Foxe substituted in the 73rd minute due to a minor knee complaint.

In the third round Perth Glory staged a come-from-behind victory over Melbourne Victory to win 2-1 in Darwin. Nikita Rukavytsya and Jamie Harnwell were the goalscorers. Perth Glory finished equal with Adelaide United on points and second in the group due to goal difference, despite winning the most games in the group.

Perth Glory progressed to the pre-season grand final with a 2-3 away victory to the Central Coast Mariners. Dragicevic opened the scoring for the Glory, with Nick Mrdja equalising before half-time. Goals to Bertos and Tarka in the second half sealed the victory for the Glory, with Sasho Petrovski scoring a consolation goal deep in injury time.

Once again forced to travel interstate, Perth Glory lost the pre-season cup grand final to Adelaide United. Perth led at half-time through a Leo Bertos strike, but second half goals to Cássio and Bruce Djite saw Adelaide take the pre-season cup.

2007-08 Hyundai A-League fixtures

26 August 2007 Perth Glory 0 : 0 Newcastle Jets Members Equity Stadium, Perth
15:00 UTC+8 Report
Summary
Attendance: 8,508
Referee: Simon Przydacz
9 September 2007 Perth Glory 0 : 0 Sydney FC Members Equity Stadium, Perth
15:00 UTC+8 Report
Summary
Attendance: 7,907
Referee: Craig Zetter
16 September 2007 Perth Glory 1 : 2 Queensland Roar Members Equity Stadium, Perth
17:00 UTC+8 Harnwell 14' Report
Summary
McCloughan 21'
McKay 84'
Attendance: 7,203
Referee: Ben Williams
23 September 2007 Central Coast Mariners 1 : 0 Perth Glory Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
19:00 UTC+10 Petrovski 80' Report
Summary
Attendance: 9,274
Referee: Craig Zetter
12 October 2007 Perth Glory 3 : 3 Sydney FC Members Equity Stadium, Perth
20:00 UTC+8 Harnwell 53'
Robinson 59'
Prentice 69'
Report
Summary
Brosque 40', 90+3'
Patrick 72'
Attendance: 6,876
Referee: Matthew Breeze
21 October 2007 Melbourne Victory 2 : 1 Perth Glory Telstra Dome, Melbourne
16:30 UTC+10 Hernandez 24'
Thompson 34'
Report
Summary
Harnwell 42' Attendance: 25,598
Referee: Simon Przydacz
27 October 2007 Queensland Roar 3 : 3 Perth Glory Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
19:00 UTC+10 Marcinho 45+3'
Lynch 69' (pen.), 86'
Report
Summary
Moore 18' (o.g.)
Harnwell 43'
Coyne 90+3'
Attendance: 16,715
Referee: Ben Williams
2 November 2007 Perth Glory 0 : 1 Wellington Phoenix Members Equity Stadium, Perth
20:00 UTC+9 Report
Summary
Daniel 51' Attendance: 7,105
Referee: Simon Przydacz
18 November 2007 Perth Glory 0 : 1 Central Coast Mariners Members Equity Stadium, Perth
19:00 UTC+9 Summary Owens 13'
Jedinak  83'  88'
Attendance: 7,310
Referee: Craig Zetter
15 December 2007 Sydney FC 2 : 4 Perth Glory Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
19:00 UTC+11 Corica 50'
Bridges 90'
Report
Summary
Celeski 34', 35', 77' (pen.)
Bertos 49'
Attendance: 12,402
Referee: Michael Hester
30 December 2007 Perth Glory 1 : 4 Queensland Roar Members Equity Stadium, Perth
19:00 UTC+9 Rizzo 57' Report
Summary
Kruse 34'
Reinaldo 42'
Minniecon 59'
McCloughan 74'
Attendance: 9,614
Referee: Peter Green

Home-and-Away Season

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Central Coast Mariners 21 10 4 7 30 25 +5 34 Qualification for 2009 AFC Champions League group stage and Finals series[a]
2 Newcastle Jets (C) 21 9 7 5 25 21 +4 34
3 Sydney FC 21 8 8 5 28 24 +4 32 Qualification for 2008 Pan-Pacific Championship and Finals series
4 Queensland Roar 21 8 7 6 25 21 +4 31 Qualification for Finals series
5 Melbourne Victory 21 6 9 6 29 29 0 27
6 Adelaide United 21 6 8 7 31 29 +2 26
7 Perth Glory 21 4 8 9 27 34 −7 20
8 Wellington Phoenix[b] 21 5 5 11 25 37 −12 20
Source: ultimatealeague.com
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions
Notes:
  1. ^ First place qualifies for the 2009 AFC Champions League group stage.
    Winning the 2008 A-League Grand Final earns qualification for the 2009 AFC Champions League group stage, unless the Grand Final winners are also first place, in which case the Grand Final runner up qualifies.
  2. ^ Wellington Phoenix cannot qualify for the AFC Champions League as they are not recognised as an AFC club.

Notes and references

  1. ^ Smith sacked by Glory
  2. ^ Mitchell Rewarded By Glory
  3. ^ "Five arrive at Glory". Perth Glory Official Website. Archived from the original on 14 March 2007. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  4. ^ "Glory recruit in Olyroos squad". www.perthglory.com.au. Archived from the original on 19 March 2007. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  5. ^ "Five arrive at Glory". Perth Glory Official Website. Archived from the original on 14 March 2007. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  6. ^ "Anthony Danze » Profile". www.worldfootball.net. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  7. ^ "Five arrive at Glory". Perth Glory Official Website. Archived from the original on 14 March 2007. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  8. ^ "Dino Đulbić » Profile". www.worldfootball.net. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  9. ^ "Five arrive at Glory". Perth Glory Official Website. Archived from the original on 14 March 2007. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  10. ^ "Jimmy Downey » Profile". www.worldfootball.net. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  11. ^ "Glory Grab Teen Keeper Tando". FTBL. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  12. ^ "Glory Grab Teen Keeper Tando". FTBL. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  13. ^ "Glory Sign Up Local Boy". FTBL. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  14. ^ "Hyphen Heads West To Perth". FTBL. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  15. ^ "Glory Grabs Socceroo Rizzo". FTBL. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  16. ^ "Colosimo Back For Glory". FTBL. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  17. ^ "Glory Sign Croatian Striker". FTBL. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  18. ^ "Glory Confirm Foxe Capture". FTBL. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  19. ^ "A-League Pre-Season Cup round-up". FTBL. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  20. ^ "Mitchell Prentice » Profile". www.worldfootball.net. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  21. ^ "James Robinson to sign for Perth Glory next week". FTBL. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  22. ^ "Glory call in trio to plug the holes!". FTBL. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  23. ^ "Tyler Simpson » Profile". www.worldfootball.net. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  24. ^ "Glory call in trio to plug the holes!". FTBL. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  25. ^ "Jordan Simpson » Profile". www.worldfootball.net. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  26. ^ "Glory call in trio to plug the holes!". FTBL. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  27. ^ "Perth Glory". The Sydney Morning Herald. 16 August 2007. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  28. ^ "Stuart Young » Profile". www.worldfootball.net. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  29. ^ "footballwa.net: Bobby Despotovski". footballwa.net. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  30. ^ "Bobby Despotovski » Profile". www.worldfootball.net. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  31. ^ "Luka Glavas » Profile". www.worldfootball.net. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  32. ^ Staff, KEEPUP (15 March 2007). "Sydney FC warms up for Urawa with 3-2 victory". Sydney FC. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  33. ^ "Sydney Win Against Wolves". FTBL. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  34. ^ "Adrian Webster » Profile". www.worldfootball.net. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  35. ^ "Mislav Šarić » Profile". www.worldfootball.net. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  36. ^ "Josip Magdic » Profile". www.worldfootball.net. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  37. ^ "Ante Kovacevic » Profile". www.worldfootball.net. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  38. ^ "Christie Signs Up With Phoenix". FTBL. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  39. ^ "Mark Robertson » Profile". www.worldfootball.net. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  40. ^ "Robertson Eyes Swift Return". FTBL. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  41. ^ "Back To The Future For Desperate Glory". FTBL. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  42. ^ "Back To The Future For Desperate Glory". FTBL. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  43. ^ "Glory call in trio to plug the holes!". FTBL. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  44. ^ "Back To The Future For Desperate Glory". FTBL. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  45. ^ "Jerry Karpeh » Profile". www.worldfootball.net. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  46. ^ "A-League Round Thirteen Wrap-Up". FTBL. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  47. ^ "A-League Round Four Preview". FTBL. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  48. ^ "Back To The Future For Desperate Glory". FTBL. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  49. ^ "Danny Milošević » Profile". www.worldfootball.net. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  50. ^ "Perth Axe Failed Striker Mate". FTBL. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  51. ^ "Back To The Future For Desperate Glory". FTBL. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  52. ^ "Ante Kovacevic » Profile". www.worldfootball.net. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  53. ^ "Back To The Future For Desperate Glory". FTBL. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  54. ^ "Mark Lee » Profile". www.worldfootball.net. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  55. ^ "Tommi Tomich » Profile". www.worldfootball.net. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  56. ^ "A-League Round 17 Wrap-Up". FTBL. Retrieved 19 November 2025.