BREAKING: Perth Glory coach Stephen Peters has praised Tijan McKenna‘s adaptability as the club navigates a challenging injury crisis. With first-choice centre-back Naomi Chinnama sidelined due to an ankle injury, McKenna has stepped up to fill multiple roles, showcasing her versatility on the field.
At just 21 years old, McKenna rejoined Perth Glory from Melbourne City as a central midfielder but excelled last season as a full-back. As Peters highlighted, her recent transition to centre-back was not without its challenges, yet it has proven beneficial for the team’s current three-game home winning streak. “I actually don’t know what her best position is. She’s good at all three,” Peters stated, emphasizing her commitment to the team’s success.
Despite facing difficulties during games against Melbourne City and Victory, McKenna’s adjustments have been crucial. Peters acknowledged the need for her to minimize mistakes, stating, “If Tijan gets the little mishaps out of her game… she’s a first-class player, first-class athlete.”
However, Peters admitted that the constant positional changes can be frustrating for McKenna, who has played in three different roles this season. “She’s not overly thrilled she gets chopped and changed every week,” he noted. “But she’s seeing the big picture, which is putting the team first.”
In a further blow to the squad, top-scorer Rola Badawiya will miss the upcoming match against bottom-placed Western Sydney Wanderers at Sam Kerr Football Centre due to a quad injury. Peters confirmed, “We’re going to keep her out of this game… we don’t want it to turn into a big thing.” The coach expressed hope that Badawiya will return for the following match, emphasizing the importance of her health for the remainder of the season.
Peters credited the team’s recent improvement to their resilience and unity. “There’s a togetherness about them. They’re all on the same page in terms of what they’re wanting out of the game,” he remarked. The depth of the squad has allowed different players to step up, contributing to the team’s success in recent weeks.
As Perth Glory prepares for this critical match, all eyes will be on McKenna and her ability to rise to the occasion once again. Fans are eager to see if the team can extend their winning streak despite the setbacks. The match against Western Sydney is set to take place on Friday night, a pivotal moment for the club as they strive to maintain their momentum.
Stay tuned for more updates as the situation develops.
