Perth Glory striker Brendon Santalab has described his move to the west as being quite straight-forward after his release from the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Santalab, who spoke on Evenings on FNR on Tuesday night, spent five years at the Wanderers with four of those under his current head-coach Tony Popovic, making his decision to join Perth Glory all the more easier.
“It was quite an easy decision,” Santalab said.
“When Popa [Popovic] was appointed as the coach I just sat back and luckily my phone rang and took on the opportunity to play over here in Perth,
“I know his expectations and what we want to achieve together, as a group and just that in general was enticing to me and it’s very enjoyable when you want to be successful.”
The 36-year-old had a delayed start to the season after being struck down by injury a week before the season and had to wait until Round 6 before making his debut.
“I had a little set-back just before the season started and it took me two to four weeks to get back,” Santalab said.
“I really can’t complain, I am really enjoying football, the body is good.”
The former Wanderers striker featured in Perth’s come from behind win against Brisbane this past week and insists the squad remained calm despite being two goals down early.
“There was no panic,” Santalab said.
“We know we are a good side and we knew we could comeback,
“There is great character and there was no doubt about coming back,
“It was just about when we could get that first goal,
“We felt with Brisbane having that short turn around that we could get some momentum by getting that first goal.”
Santalab also looked ahead to taking on one of his former sides this week when they face Sydney FC at NIB Stadium on Wednesday night and was confident they could rectify their defeat to the Sky Blues earlier this season.
“Sydney don’t like the physical game and we have to bring it to them tomorrow night,” Santalab said.
“If we play our own football that we are capable of then we can get the job done.”
In what is a highly emotional week for Santalab, his side will also take on former side Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday evening.
“I have had to wait a little while to face them and I had a great time there with many special memories,” Santalab said.
“I am really looking forward to going to Sydney and playing them there and seeing all the fans who helped me through the five years,
“On Sunday, it is business as normal and we will have to go out and look for the three points.”
Santalab played 109 games for the Wanderers and scored 38 goals along with being part of their Asian Champions League winning squad in 2014 and has made it clear he will not celebrate if he was to score this weekend.
“I don’t think I will be celebrating because I have a lot of respect for the club for what they gave me during my time,” Santalab said.
