Perth Glory have announced their first-team squad will travel to Malaysia next week to take on local club Johor Darul Takzim in a pre-season friendly.
Perth Glory have announced their first-team squad will travel to Malaysia next week to take on local club Johor Darul Takzim in a pre-season friendly.
Johor have long been a major force in the Malaysia Premier League, finishing fourth last season and will provide a stern test for the West Australian side in the August 14th clash which has created plenty of local interest.
The game will carry special significance for Glory Head Coach Alistair Edwards who spent a highly-successful spell with Johor during his playing days, helping steer the club to the Super League and Malaysia Cup double in 1991.
“I spent many years in Malaysia and had two very enjoyable seasons playing for Johor where we won the League and Malaysia Cup double in 1991. It's going to be great returning to a place that holds such fond memories," explained Edwards.
He had previously taken out the Super League Golden Boot award while leading the line for Sarawak FA and having also represented Selangor FA and Singapore Lions in the Malaysian top flight, is keenly aware of the kind of test Johor will provide for the men in purple.
"This game is a wonderful bonus to our club and our pre-season schedule. On the back of our recent trip to South Africa, it will provide us with another very tough and high quality opponent in what still is the very early stages of our pre-season program. I'm sure the hit out will prove very beneficial as we build up to the start of our A-League campaign."
Next Wednesday's clash will take place at Johor's 30,000-capacity Larkin Stadium home.
“The fans are magnificent and we are expecting a packed house which is very exciting for all involved. I know the boys will do our club and our State proud.”
The hosts are also expected to hand a debut to marquee signing Pablo Aimar. The supremely-gifted midfielder won more than 50 caps for Argentina between 1999 and 2009, while also helping Valencia to a La Liga title and a Champions League Final appearance and was lured east by Johor following a similarly successful five-year stint at Portuguese giants Benfica.
With the Asian region on Western Australia-s doorstep the Perth Glory Football club plan to make pre-season fixtures in the region a regular occurrence.
“This is the beauty of the world game, it is truly global. This game takes our club, our brand and the A-League into the Asian region which can open many doors for all the stakeholders invested in our sport.
"Hopefully we can build on this occasion and see a permanent annual Perth Glory A-League fixture in this region."
Perth Glory FC v Johor DT FC Wednesday, 14th August 2013 Larkin Stadium, Johor Bahru, Malaysia Kick Off : 8.45pm AWST