The Perth Glory Youth side has gone down to Melbourne for the first time this season in the National Youth League after the Victorians managed to put away their two chances of the game while the Glory were left to rue a number of near misses.
The Perth Glory Youth side has gone down to Melbourne for the first time this season in the National Youth League after the Victorians managed to put away their two chances of the game while the Glory were left to rue a number of near misses.
On a warm Saturday afternoon both sides didn-t hold back in an end-to-end contest that was appreciated by a strong local turnout at BCG Stadium in Perth.
Second half goals to Dimitri Hatzimouratis and Aziz Behich ensured the Victory took the points but were lucky not to find themselves down at the break after a number of quality attacking moves fell just short for the Glory.
“We created a lot of chances but just didn-t score,” Perth Coach Gareth Naven said following the match.
“I thought they had two chances all day and they scored from them, so that-s where we have to learn that we need to stick the ball in the back of the net,” said Naven.
Several of Perth-s Youth Team regulars were missing after receiving a call-up to Glory-s Hyundai A-League squad, meaning a new look back four for the youngsters. Dean Evans and Lewis Hall performed well together in the centre of defence while Ryan Pearson went to right back as Hayden Doyle was pushed up the ground and was outstanding on a wing.
Doyle shone in the more creative role and could have had a goal to his name after firing off a stinging strike from 20 meters that curled towards the target but grazed the top side of the crossbar.
“I enjoyed being in the midfield today, I-ve played mostly at the back this season and Gareth has given me a chance in the midfield the last few weeks which has been fantastic because it is where I feel most comfortable,” Doyle said.
“I feel like my strengths are in the attacking areas, it is where I played overseas before coming back to Australia. I wanted to give it a really good go today and press for a first team spot.
“The shot was looking good but unfortunately it just went the wrong side of the bar, when you-re trying to impress is always easier when you-re sticking it in the back of the net,” Doyle said with a smile.
A number of his team mates also found themselves in good scoring positions, striker Anthony Skorich shrugged of a throat infection to play and was lively up front as he forced a number of saves from Victory keeper Mitch Langerak.
Midfielder Howard Fondyke was desperately unlucky not to score his first for the season after he beat the keeper only to see his flick hit the woodwork.
Melbourne gained the upper hand shortly after the break when they opened the scoring in the 52nd minute. Hatzimouratis adding a highlight to his show reel with a superb finish from 15 meters that hooked into the top left-hand corner of the goal.
Glory upped the intensity as they sought an equalizer, Steve Hesketh firstly forcing a good save from reserve Melbourne ‘keeper Sebastian Mattei and then Ryan Pearson slipped the ball just wide a short time later.
As Perth attacked, the Victory showed they were dangerous on the counter and secured the win when Behich prodded the ball home from close range after getting on the end of a low cross from substitute Craig Sweeney.
“We have been working on finishing teams off, we create good chances but haven-t been able to get the rewards for the effort and I guess we let that happen again today,” said Doyle.
“The heat was pretty intense and when you-re trying to chase the game it makes it feel even hotter out there,” he said.
The result sees Perth remain in fourth position on the National Youth League table while Melbourne’s fourth win in a row sees them move to fifth.
National Youth League Rd 16
Perth Glory 0
Melbourne Victory 2 (Dimitri Hatzimouratis 52-, Aziz Behich 79-)
Saturday 10 January 2009, BGC Stadium at Dorrien Gardens, Perth
Referee: Steven Gregory
Assistant Referees: Josh Mannella & Josh Mihevc
Fourth Official: Tim Mihevc
Perth Glory: 1.Alex PEARSON (gk) (40.Devon SPENCE (gk) 60-), 2.Ryan PEARSON, 3.Steven HESKETH, 4.Lewis HALL, 5.Hayden DOYLE (15.Cameron EDWARDS 57-), 6.Dean EVANS, 7.James SAMMUT (10.Adam LUCA 57-), 8.Howard FONDYKE (5.Hayden DOYLE 71-), 9.Anthony SKORICH (14.Joshua RIDSON 60-), 11.Ludovic BOI, 12.Reece VITTIGLIA.
Yellow Cards: Lewis Hall 82-/84-
Red Cards: Lewis Hall 84-
Melbourne Victory: 1.Mitchell LANGERAK (gk) (20.Sebastian MATTEI (gk) 46-), 2.Robert WYNNE, 3.Steven PACE (OA), 4.Matthew FOSCHINI, 5.Fabio DI LIZIA, 6.Evan BERGER (14.Mifit BOJKU 46-), 7.Aziz BEHICH, 8. Stephen HATIZKOSTAS (15.Craig SWEENEY 46-), 9.Mathew THEODORE, 10.Nathan ELASI (11.Dimitri HATZIMOURATIS 74-), 11.Dimitri HATZIMOURATIS (12.Tedros YABIO 60-).
Yellow Cards: Evan Berger 26-
Red Cards: Robert Wynne 50-
