Perth Glory coach Tony Popovic can’t help but feel envious watching Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC feature in the AFC Champions League, and he hopes it will be his turn soon.
Popovic has fond memories of the ACL after guiding the Western Sydney Wanderers to the title in 2014.
The Glory have never qualified for the competition, but are on track to achieve the feat this year given their six-point gap at the top of the A-League ladder.
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“That would be nice to experience what Melbourne Victory and Sydney are this year,” Popovic said.
“Personally I’m a little bit envious watching those games, and hoping that we can be there next year.
“We’ll do everything we can within our power to bring that experience to our fans and our football club.”
Glory are riding a 12-match unbeaten run and are yet to lose away from home this season.
They will be aiming to continue that hot run in Friday night’s clash with Adelaide at Coopers Stadium.
Perth were a powerhouse of the now-defunct NSL, but they are yet to win any silverware in the A-League.
Barring a sizeable collapse in the final six rounds, Glory will end their silverware drought by claiming the Premiers Plate.
“It would be special for the club, for this group of players, but also for the people who have been involved with this club for many years and put their heart and soul and money into it,” Popovic said of that prospect.
“We’ve won nothing yet, but we’ve given ourselves a chance.
“Those people, and [owner] Tony Sage, should be very happy and proud. Hopefully we can delight them more with a trophy.”
Fifth-placed Adelaide are on a four-match winless run. Their last match was a 2-0 loss to Sydney on March 1.