Perth Glory Youth have notched their second straight victory this season with striker Million Butshiire delivering an injury time winner from the penalty spot.
Perth Glory Youth have notched their second straight victory this season with striker Million Butshiire delivering an injury time winner from the penalty spot.
A second half double from Butshiire inspiring Perth to a thrilling 3-2 win against a gallant Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) squad that proved a tough opponent at ME Bank Stadium.
“I-ve had a couple of shots this season and been a bit unlucky so it was nice to get one into the back of the net,” Butshiire said after the match.
“Scoring is a key part of my game and it was good to do that today but that-s not the only thing I want to do for the team. I always try to have an influence on the game and help the team by scoring or giving assist, whatever I can do.”
Perth were almost immediately on the back foot following the opening whistle, conceding in just the fourth minute following a miscued clearance. The ball fell perfectly for West Australian product Eli Babalj who didn-t need a second invitation to slam his effort into the back of the net.
Speedy Perth midfielder Ludovic Boi kept Perth in touch a well taken shot in the 21st minute, his second goal in as many games. His pace and skill was a thorn in the side of the AIS defence throughout the match.
Perth continued to create chances but found themselves again a goal behind just 10 minutes later when Mustafa Amini was brought down in the area. Babalj was the one to step up and he calmly fired home his second.
The Glory should have equalised just minutes after the re-start when Boi earned a penalty however Reece Vittiglia put his effort over the bar and the chance was lost.
The home side however levelled proceedings in the 72nd minute when a flowing move ended in a goalmouth scramble and it was Butshiire who found some room and finished superbly.
The AIS continued to threaten, Babalj blasting a shot just over the bar nine minutes from time before Amini hit the woodwork from a tight angle.
Glory keeper Alex Pearson made a great save at his feet with only minutes remaining and Perth capitalised on the counter attack with recent signing Glen Trifiro earning a penalty when he was brought down in the area by Trent Sainsbury.
With the game in the balance Butshiire was handed the responsibility and he put his spot kick past the keeper to hand Perth a narrow victory.
“It has been great so far,” Butshiire said of his National Youth League experience.
“With the facilities and coaching staff behind us we are in a great environment and just have to keep pushing to achieve the things we want to achieve. I-m sure we can do that.”
National Youth League – Rd 4
Perth Glory 3 (Ludovic Boi 21-, Million Butshiire 72-/90+1-)
AIS 2 (Eli Babalj 4-/31-)
Saturday, 3 October 2009 at ME Bank Stadium, Perth
Referee: Steven Gregory
Perth Glory: 1.Alex PEARSON (gk), 3.Steve HESKETH (c), 4.Jimmy DOWNEY (OA) (15.Clayton ARNEZ 42-), 5.Howard FONDYKE, 6.Brent GRIFFITHS, 7.Cameron EDWARDS, 8.Todd HOWARTH (OA) (9.Mario MARCINKO 57-), 10.Million BUTSHIIRE, 11.Ludovic BOI, 12.Reece VITTIGLIA (2.Ryan EDWARDS 57-), 14.Glen TRIFIRO
Substitutes not used: 20.Tim DOYLE (gk),
Yellow Cards: nil
Red Cards: nil
AIS squad: 1.Lawrence THOMAS (gk), 2.Trent SAINSBURY, 6.Patrick DIXON (18.Ersin KAYA 51-), 7.Terry ANTONIS (26.Aaron PETERSON 59-), 8.Eli BABALJ, 9.Stephen DOMENICI (24.Scott MELLISH 57-), 10.Nikola STANOJEVIC, 11.Christopher BUSH, 12.Jared LUM, 15.Brendan HAMILL, 21.Mustafa AMINI
Substitutes not used: 20.Aaron LENNOX (gk)
Yellow Cards: Lawrence Thomas 54-, Stephen Domenici 55-
Red Cards: nil
