Perth Glory FC sits just two points out of finals contention after a historic third consecutive win on the road
The West Australians took all three Hyundai A-League points today after defeating Sydney FC 2-1 at Allianz Stadium, extending its winning streak to four games.
Andy Keogh opened the scoring in the 23rd minute for the visitors. Gyorgy Sandor crossed the ball into the box, which Sydney ‘keeper Vedran Janjetovic made a meal of and allowed Keogh to pounce and tap the ball into the back of the net.
The Sky Blues had their chances but couldn’t find the finishing touch and Glory went into the break with the one goal advantage.
Glory started the second 45 hungry for more, creating and dominating the play and their efforts were rewarded after 20 minutes when speedy winger Chris Harold scored Glory’s second.
Sandor was the instigator again, shooting on goal, forcing Janjetovic to save the shot. Harold was free and steered the loose ball into goal, sending dozens of Glory Shed fans in the stands into raptures. It was Harold’s fifth goal in as many games.
With 10 minutes to go former Glory striker Shane Smeltz pegged one back for the home side with a cool finish past Perth keeper Ante Covic.
Glory’s win keeps the team’s finals hopes alive and the stage is now set for an explosive match against league leaders Brisbane Roar at nib Stadium next Saturday night.
A win next week against the Roar and Glory could sneak into the top six.
All ADULT tickets to the match have been priced at $20 (online purchases only) and can be found HERE
KEY MOMENTS
- 5’ Nice link-up play between Harold and Castro at the top of the box but the ball runs out of play
- 13’ A corner for Perth. Vadocz headers which falls to Keogh who tried to guide towards goal with another header but it’s wide of the mark
- 23’ GOAL. Sandor whips in a cross to the box. Janjetovic spills the ball and Keogh pounces to tap the ball into the back of the net
- 28’ Sydney corner. Blackwood heads the ball into the goal mouth which is deflected off Lowry onto the crossbar
- 37’ Brosque beats the offside trap and shoots at goal but it’s wide of the mark
- 38’ Ninkovic beats Warren and shoots on goal but Grant is there to smother the shot
- 44’ Castro is fouled on the line. Marinkovic takes the free which Brosque send out for a corner.
- Glory can’t consolidate on the set piece opportunity
- 45+ 1 Carney whips in a free kick and Blackwood’s header is wide of the post
SECOND HALF
- 49’ Castro with some magic runs down the left and shoots on goal but it’s blocked by Jurman
- 52’ Harold beats the offside trap. Shoots low and hard but Keogh misses the tap in
- 54’ Keogh receives a beautiful ball on the left but slips and loses his footing.
- 59’ Marinkovic takes a free kick well outside the box. It flies just over the cross bar
- 65’ GOAL. Harold makes it 2-0. Sandor shoots on goal, Janjetovic blocks and Harold tucks away the crumbs
- 72’ Petratos on for Harold
- 79’ Smeltz pegs one back for Sydney FC
- 84’ Vadocz is man handled by Tavares and earns a yellow card.
- 90+3 Glory takes all three points after beating Sydney FC 2-1
TEAMS:
Sydney FC: Janjetovic (gk), Ryall, Faty, Jurman, Grant (Abbas 46’), Tavares, Dimitrijevic (Smeltz 67’), Blackwood (Stambolziev 53’), Ninkovic, Carney, Brosque (c)
Perth Glory: Covic (gk), Risdon (c), Grant, Lowry, Warren, Vadocz, Sandor, Marinkovic, Harold (Petratos 72’), Castro, Keogh
Scorers: Keogh 23’, Harold 65’, Smeltz 79’
Red cards: Nil
Yellow cards: Sandor 10’, Stambolziev 68’, Warren 74’, Abbas 74’, Tavares 84’
Conditions: 28C, Fine
Attendance: 11,559 @ Allianz Stadium
