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Perth Glory men’s A-League season takes another blow as squad hit by COVID-19 outbreak

Nick TaylorThe West Australian
Perth’s star recruit Daniel Sturridge has tested positive for COVID.
Camera IconPerth’s star recruit Daniel Sturridge has tested positive for COVID. Credit: Jeremy Ng/AAPIMAGE

UPDATE | Perth Glory star recruit Daniel Sturridge has tested positive to COVID-19 as the stranded club battles another virus outbreak and considers an interstate move for home games.

It can be revealed the embattled side is looking at offers to move home games to Townsville, the Gold Coast or Canberra if they cannot return to WA because of the government border backflip.

Sturridge is one of five players who tested positive in Sydney on Tuesday as the squad went into isolation and their Australia Day game against Macarthur at Campbelltown Sports Stadium was cancelled.

He spent two weeks training COVID-free in Sydney, where he was with partner Jamilla Perreira and one-year-old daughter Mila, after leaving two weeks quarantine in Brisbane.

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The entire Glory squad had been isolating after a player tested positive and they were ruled close contacts.

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Most players returned to Perth for the second week of quarantine but a handful moved to Sydney after 14 days in hotel isolation.

They were joined by teammates last week.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 22:  Brandon O’Neill of the Glory celebrates with team mates after scoring a goal during the round 11 A-League Men's match between Sydney FC and Perth Glory at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, on January 22, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Camera IconGlory had been on a high after the shock win over Sydney on Saturday. Credit: Matt King/Getty Images

Glory returned to the competition after a 43-day break last Wednesday, going down 1-0 to Brisbane Roar, but their kick-start ended abruptly after Saturday’s gutsy 2-1 win over Sydney FC.

Meanwhile Glory owner Tony Sage said they had been approached by Townsville, the Gold Coast and Canberra to host the club if they could not get back into WA.

“It would be a real shame playing our home games in another state but we have to plan for it,” Sage said.

“We don’t want to do it but we have to have a Plan B.

“It’s a light at the end of the tunnel but hopefully it doesn’t come to that.

“It would be like selling a home game and hopefully we would get some income because we are struggling financially at the moment.

“It’s a plan B if the government can’t give us some assurances.

“We don’t want to be based in Sydney. We want teams to come to us.”

Glory confirmed a number of players had tested positive.

Glory boss Tony Sage.
Camera IconGlory boss Tony Sage. Credit: Paul Kane/Getty Images

With the squad currently based in Sydney, the players and their close contacts are adhering to NSW Health directives, in close consultation with the A-Leagues,” Glory said in a statement.

The A-League confirmed Perth’s players were placed back in isolation.

“The Perth Glory men’s football department confirmed positive COVID-19 cases via either RAT or PCR testing.

“All players, coaches and staff with positive results are now in isolation and following the relevant health directives in NSW.

“Our primary concern is for the health, wellbeing and safety of all players, staff and their families.

“All positive cases and those close to them are adhering to relevant state government health directives, in close consultation with the A-Leagues.

“We will continue to work with the clubs on confirming a new schedule for the postponed match as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile the Socceroos will return to the scene of several of their greatest triumphs, Stadium Australia, for their crunch World Cup qualifier against Japan on March 24.

Australia, who have not beaten Japan since 2009 and lost the away qualifier 2-1 in Saitama in October, will hope a bumper crowd in their first game at the stadium in four years can help clear a crucial hurdle on their road to Qatar 2022.

The Socceroos are precariously placed third in Group B, five points behind leaders Saudi Arabia and one behind Japan, before Thursday’s clash with Vietnam at AAMI Park, the first of their final four games.

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