Glory Head Coach Kenny Lowe was left more than satisfied with his side’s performance in Wednesday’s 3-2 friendly defeat at the hands of reigning Hyundai A-League champions, Sydney FC.
A rare goal from Marc Warren gave the visitors an early lead in the game that was played behind closed doors at Leichardt Oval, before Dutch defender Jordy Buijs levelled things up.
Three minutes later, Brazilian striker Bobo made it 2-1 to the hosts and although Adam Taggart drew Glory level with his fourth goal of the pre-season campaign early in the second half, Bobo duly bagged what proved to be the winner 13 minutes from time.
The game marked Xavi Torres’ debut for Glory and the Spaniard’s display was one of many positives Lowe took from what was an entertaining and hard-fought clash.
“We played really well,” he said. “We got about 60 minutes into [Diego] Castro and Xavi and 45 minutes into [Jacob] Poscoliero, which was good.
“It was an excellent, high-level game and a great test. Sydney looked good, but we matched them all over the park and the game was played in a really good spirit and at a really good tempo.
“There were a lot of very promising signs and we created numerous opportunities which was very pleasing.”
Warren may still be waiting to bag his first Hyundai A-League goal, but he showed the predatory instincts of a seasoned strker when opening the scoring against his former club.
Chasing down an under-hit backpass, he beat goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne to the ball before calmly finding the bottom corner.
And fellow-defender Scott Neville then also took the opportunity to showcase his attacking prowess, providing a headed assist for Taggart who was left with a simple tap-in to make it 2-2.
Bobo was played in superbly by substitute Anthony Kalik to seal the win for the hosts, but Lowe remains confident that his charges are on track to hit the ground running when they return to the Harbour City to face Wanderers on October 8th.
“We’re travelling well,” he said. “And we didn’t pick up any fresh injuries today either, which was good. We did lose Joseph Mills, but that was because he was taken ill before the game.
“We’ve now got a two-week lead-in to the season, so we’ll try and organise another external game if we can and also have an in-house game to make sure we get two more run-outs before we start the league campaign.
“And if we can’t organise that external game, we’ll just have two in-house.”
Match Details
Sydney FC 3 (Buijs 29′, Bobô 32′, 77′) Perth Glory 2 (Warren 11′, Taggart 53′)
Ground: Leichhardt Oval
Referee: Kurt Ams
Sydney FC: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 4. Alex WILKINSON, 5. Jordy BUIJS, 6. Joshua BRILLANTE (22. Seb RYALL 72′), 7. Michael ZULLO (16. Anthony KALIK 63′), 9. BOBÔ, 10. Milos NINKOVIC, 13. Brandon O’NEILL, 17. David CARNEY, 18. Matt SIMON (19. Chris ZUVELA 86′), 26. Luke WILKSHIRE (8. Paulo RETRE 37′)
Substitutes Not Used: 30. Tom HEWARD-BELLE (GK), 29. Cristian GONZALEZ
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
Perth Glory: 33. Liam REDDY (GK), 3. Marc WARREN, 4. Shane LOWRY, 5. Jacob POSCOLIERO (6. Mitch NICHOLS 46′), 7. Joel CHIANESE, 8. Xavi TORRES (31. Callum TIMMINS 72′), 9. Andy KEOGH, 17. Diego CASTRO (19. Joe KNOWLES 66′), 20. Jake BRIMMER, 22. Adam TAGGART, 23. Scott NEVILLE
Substitutes Not Used: 13. Nick FEELY (GK), 16. Joseph MILLS
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
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