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A 2-2 draw with Newcastle Jets opened Perth Glory’s campaign three weeks a go before they suffered a dramatic 2-1 loss on the road against Wellington Phoenix, but they secured their first win of the season with a 2-0 victory over Central Coast Mariners at HBF Park on Saturday night.
Perth Glory midfielder Gio Colli is confident the team will build on their winning momentum after registering their first victory of the season.
Colli told Sports Breakfast his team had drawn several positives from their start to the season.
“It was massive. … to come back home and get the win in front of our home fans was fantastic,” Colli said.
“Being in Perth, we don’t really get many opportunities to [play] A-League opponents before the start of the season. We knew that was going to be a test in the first few games.
“We probably played better in the first few matches than we did against Central Coast, but to get a nice early win and get that chip off the shoulder is good.”
Alen Stajcic replaced Ruben Zadkovich in the coaching chair as part of an offseason of change for the Glory, with Victorian property developers Robert Brij and John Nekic assuming ownership of the club and the playing squad undergoing significant turnover.
Colli said the former Matildas coach was fostering a more positive environment throughout the whole club.
“He wants to have a lot of structure in the defence and make sure we’re not conceding as many goals as we have been in recent times,” he said.
“In that respect, we’re much more organised in the defensive side of things.
“We want to play attacking football and get the fans and all the supporters into the game. We want to make sure it’s exciting and entertaining.”
The 23-year-old midfielder has had an inconsistent role since making his first-team debut in 2020 but has played every available minute during the current campaign, saying he was enjoying his new position in defensive midfield.
“I feel very confident. The gaffer gave me the green light in the first game of the season and I’ve just kicked on from there,” he said.
“Playing three 90-minute games has done me a world of good, it’s given my fitness levels a great boost.
“In a new role as the number six as well, it’s given me a great load of confidence going into the rest of the season.”
The Glory will look to continue their winning momentum when they take on Western Sydney Wanderers at CommBank Stadium on Saturday, with the game getting underway at 2:30pm WA time.
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