Popovic tipped to win trophy
Tony Popovic could be on the way to earning his first A-League championship as a coach, believes the keeper who won the Asian Champions League under him.
Ante Covic, who was player of the tournament when Western Sydney became the first Australian team to lift the ACL trophy in 2014, is impressed with the way Popovic has transformed Perth Glory.
Success is a fine line for a coach but he will have learnt a lot from his years at the Wanderers.
Ante Covic
The Western Australia club missed out on the Finals Series last season but have topped the table this time since early on.
If they can win away to second-placed Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on Sunday it would open up a seven-point gap at the top.
Covic, who played for Perth as well as Wanderers, is backing Popovic to match his achievement with Western Sydney by winning the minor premiership in his first season as coach.
"Popa (Popovic) has got the experience and knows what it takes; this could be his year," he said. "Success is a fine line for a coach but he will have learnt a lot from his years at the Wanderers."
Popovic led Western Sydney into three A-League Grand Finals without success, and Covic said: "You have to ask yourself how many times is he going to be in a Grand Final before one falls for him - I reckon this one could have his name on it."
Perth are unbeaten in eight matches, and beat Victory 3-2 away from home early in the season.
Covic said on form, Sunday's clash would be a Grand Final as the teams were the standouts in the A-League.
"Perth have a very balanced squad and when a coach has a headache picking players that is when you know a team is in a good position," he added. "The firepower that both teams have is by far and away the best in the league."
The Glory are 21/10 to win their next game against Melbourne Victory, who are 5/4 with the draw 5/2.
Glory are 15/4 to win the game by a one-goal margin.
View all Soccer betting
Tony Popovic could be on the way to earning his first A-League championship as a coach, believes the keeper who won the Asian Champions League under him.
Ante Covic, who was player of the tournament when Western Sydney became the first Australian team to lift the ACL trophy in 2014, is impressed with the way Popovic has transformed Perth Glory.
Success is a fine line for a coach but he will have learnt a lot from his years at the Wanderers.
Ante Covic
The Western Australia club missed out on the Finals Series last season but have topped the table this time since early on.
If they can win away to second-placed Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on Sunday it would open up a seven-point gap at the top.
Covic, who played for Perth as well as Wanderers, is backing Popovic to match his achievement with Western Sydney by winning the minor premiership in his first season as coach.
"Popa (Popovic) has got the experience and knows what it takes; this could be his year," he said. "Success is a fine line for a coach but he will have learnt a lot from his years at the Wanderers."
Popovic led Western Sydney into three A-League Grand Finals without success, and Covic said: "You have to ask yourself how many times is he going to be in a Grand Final before one falls for him - I reckon this one could have his name on it."
Perth are unbeaten in eight matches, and beat Victory 3-2 away from home early in the season.
Covic said on form, Sunday's clash would be a Grand Final as the teams were the standouts in the A-League.
"Perth have a very balanced squad and when a coach has a headache picking players that is when you know a team is in a good position," he added. "The firepower that both teams have is by far and away the best in the league."
The Glory are 21/10 to win their next game against Melbourne Victory, who are 5/4 with the draw 5/2.
Glory are 15/4 to win the game by a one-goal margin.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com
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