Australia Cup: Perth Glory defender Kaelen Majekodunmi eager to end tough season on a high

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Australia Cup: Perth Glory defender Kaelen Majekodunmi eager to end tough season on a high

It has not been the season young Perth Glory defender Kaelen Majekodunmi would have wanted at either a personal or team level, but he is eager to end it on a high.

Perth’s torrid season comes to a close with an Australia Cup play-off against Central Coast Mariners at Larrakia Park in Darwin on Tuesday evening.

Having already copped the A-League Men’s wooden spoon, Glory would prefer to avoid the ignominy of missing out on a spot in the main draw of the national knock-out competition when it kicks off in July.

21 year-old Majekodunmi played 10 games under previous coach Alen Stajcic, but found chances under David Zdrilic harder to come by.

He played in Perth’s opening round 6-1 defeat to Macarthur, then did not play again until a four-minute cameo in round 16 against Newcastle.

“It was a tough *******. I was out of the squad for a while, but I knew I just had to put my head down and continue working hard and then take my opportunity when it came again,” Majekodunmi said.

However, Majekodunmi started the final three games of the season and impressed, particularly in the 1-0 loss to Auckland FC.

“To come back in the squad, it’s been good to be back in the team and playing and giving it my all,” he said.

“He (Zdrilic) just said the opportunity will come, continue doing everything you’re doing, working hard off the pitch, showing good attitude, doing extra training, working on the small details, and you’ll get your chance again.”

Perth won two of their last three games and Majekodunmi said Glory were keen to win the play-off game to ensure the cup played an important part in their pre-season preparations.

“It means a lot to the club because we’re so isolated from all the other states,” he said.

Camera IconKaelan Majekodunmi competes with Nando Pijnaker of Auckland FC. Credit: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

“Going through in the Australia Cup pretty much sets up our pre-season for us, so this game is really important.”

Majekodunmi will likely partner Tomi Mrcela in defence and like another young Perth defender in Andriano Lebib, the centre-back praised the veteran for his leadership and guidance.

“He’s an amazing centre back with a lot of experience. He’s always organising me, talking to me after training, what I could have done in this scenario, just little details to position myself better, and it’s been good,” he said.

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