In a fast-paced match at NIB Stadium, Perth Glory defeated Newcastle Jets 1-0, maintaining their impressive home record and ascending to the top of the A-League ladder.
Newcastle challenged the goal, asserting that Branko Jelic had handled the ball before it entered the net.
After two victories and one draw, the Glory sit atop the table, though North Queensland or Central Coast could surpass them in the ongoing round.
With only one goal from three matches, the Jets have drawn their previous games.
Although Newcastle is generally not recognized as a particularly physical team, their high foul count reflected their struggles in managing the vigorous attack from the Glory.
Historically known for struggling in the second half, Perth seems to have turned a new leaf under coach Dave Mitchell, as they came from behind strongly, nearly extending their 1-0 advantage.
Many fans in Perth came hoping to see Robbie Fowler net his first goal of the season, yet it was the substitute Jelic who marked the only score of the match.
Jelic managed to nudge a hapless, ricocheted save into the net, propelling the Glory to the top of the A-League standings.
Mitchell had emphasized during the week that Fowler’s scoring wasn’t his primary concern, focusing instead on the playmaking role that the marquee signing was expected to fulfill.
Despite the victory, Perth’s win was tainted by the ankle injury suffered by star striker Mile Sterjovski, who grimaced in pain and was helped off the field during the 38th minute following a severe tackle.
Soon after Sterjovski’s exit, the Glory conceded a penalty just outside the 18-yard box, with referee Matthew Breeze awarding a free kick to the Jets. Stepping up to the dead ball was 21-year-old Marko Jesic, who despite three knee surgeries in his young career, sent a curling right-footed shot crashing into the crossbar. The woodwork denied the Jets, keeping the score at 0-0 as the first half drew to a close.
Making an immediate impact upon his introduction, Glory substitute Jelic found the net right before half-time. On a counterattack, he turned a save from Jets goalkeeper Ben Kennedy into the back of the net with his knee, giving the Glory a crucial one-goal lead at the interval to please the lively home crowd.
Throughout much of the match, Newcastle struggled to create significant chances, enduring Perth’s swift attacks.
In a bid to add speed to a sluggish Jets offense, Newcastle coach Branko Culina replaced captain Michael Bridges with Labinot Haliti.
It wasn’t until the closing five minutes that the Jets began to frequently penetrate the opposition’s 18-yard box, but this effort proved to be too late.
Buford Balony says: There’s only 1 Perth Glory, 1 Perth Glory. They appear to be the real deal, but can they maintain this momentum and reclaim their dominant status, considering it’s only been three games?
- A-League
| (Updated Aug 23) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Diff | Pts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Perth | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | North Qld | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Newsletter
Join our mailing list to receive the latest news directly in your email inbox.
Copyright © 2021. All Rights Reserved.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
