Perth Glory coach Jamie Harnwell says it is a shame his side only performed to their usual standards for 30 minutes of the Grand Final leaving the premiers missing out on their maiden championship after a 3-1 defeat against Canberra United.
The Glory were in the hunt until 12 minutes remaining when Ashleigh Sykes netted her second to give the visitors a two-goal advantage.
Just moments earlier Perth skipper Kate Gill missed a penalty at the other end that would have drawn the home side level.
It was cruel stroke of misfortune for the Glory who set new competition benchmarks for both goals scored and points won.
“It wasn’t our best performance by any means,” said Harnwell. “I don’t think it was a 3-1 game. We had the opportunity to make it 2-2 and I think that would have broken their backs.
“I think we only played about 30 minutes of good football, which wasn’t enough for against a good Canberra side.
“People miss penalties. Kate (Gill) has been great for us all year, and she had the courage to stand up and take a penalty in a Grand Final.”
Until a fortnight ago the Glory had only lost a single match all season, only to fall to Canberra twice in quick succession with Sykes nabbing the clinching goal on each occasion.
Harnwell though believes the Glory were the best side over the course of the season.
“They (the Glory team) have been the best team in the league by far, but on the day we were beaten.
“I’m so proud of the girls and there is no denying who the best team is this season, but it didn’t happen in the Grand Final.”
