Glory owner Tony Sage poses during a Perth Glory A-League media session at Optus Stadium.
Camera IconGlory owner Tony Sage poses during a Perth Glory A-League media session at Optus Stadium. Credit: Supplied/Getty Images

Crunch time for Glory owner Tony Sage

AAPEastern Reporter

PERTH Glory fans will be holding their breath this week while owner Tony Sage makes his decision on whether to sell the A-League club to a bitcoin investment group.

Sage flew to London last weekend to hold meetings with Jim Aylward, the founder of London Football Exchange (LFE).

The company announced last week that Sage had agreed to sell them an 80 per cent share of Glory.

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But Sage insists no deal has yet been done, saying he needed to do his due diligence first.

Sage is expected to make a decision this week ahead of Glory’s A-League clash with the Roar in Brisbane on Saturday.

The club’s fans have expressed concern over the potential deal, and they will be hoping Sage pulls out.

Perth Glory owner Tony Sage. Photo: Getty
Camera IconPerth Glory owner Tony Sage. Photo: Getty Credit: Supplied/Getty Images

Glory players did well to put the ownership distraction aside during their Asian Champions League debut against FC Tokyo in Japan on Tuesday night.

Although Perth lost 1-0, they put in a brave defensive effort against a team that finished second in the J-League last season.

The son of coach Tony Popovic – Kristian – gave an impressive performance in the midfield, while defensive rocks Tomi Mrcela, Alex Grant, and Gregory Wuthrich repelled numerous attacks.

The deadlock was eventually broken in the 82nd minute when Brazilian Leandro unleashed a beautiful dipping strike from outside the box.

“I thought overall we deserved something from the game,” coach Tony Popovic said.

“We played well enough to win, or as a minimum draw.

“We’re happy with our performance. We know now we can compete at this level against a team with a big budget.”

Diego Castro of the Glory celebrates after scoring at HBF Park. Scott Barbour/Getty Images
Camera IconDiego Castro of the Glory celebrates after scoring at HBF Park. Scott Barbour/Getty Images Credit: Supplied/Getty Images

Glory skipper Diego Castro was held quiet for large periods of the match, but the fact he made it through the clash unscathed was a big plus.

Castro had missed the past two A-League rounds while he nursed a heavy knock.

Popovic could rest a host of his players against Brisbane, given the short turnaround between matches and hefty travel schedule.

Nicholas D’Agostino and Jake Brimmer only played bench roles against FC Tokyo and are strong chances to earn starts against the Roar, while Juande (groin) and Osama Malik (hamstring) could return from injury.

Perth are just one point adrift of second-placed Melbourne City, who have played two more games than the Glory.

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