Glory still unbeaten

Perth Glory maintained their unbeaten streak in the A-League season with a 2-1 win over Wellington Phoenix on Sunday.

The crucial goals came from Mile Sterjovski in the fifth minute and Robbie Fowler, who netted at the hour mark, securing the points for Perth. However, the home team faced tense moments during the last 20 minutes as Wellington mounted a strong comeback.

Phoenix defender Ben Sigmund’s header in the 72nd minute instilled hope for Wellington, and they nearly equalized in the 82nd minute if not for a remarkable save by Glory goalkeeper Tando Velaphi, who managed to block a close-range shot from Chris Greenacre.

With this victory, Perth claimed their third win of the season, putting them level on points and goal difference with Adelaide United, as both teams sit at the top after five rounds.

Wellington remains in eighth place, only managing a win and a draw from four matches.

Sterjovski wasted no time, scoring just five minutes in through a fantastic long ball from Fowler.

After receiving Fowler’s precise pass, Todd Howarth surged into the box, squaring it for Sterjovski, who finished with a simple tap-in.

Perth seemed to have doubled their lead four minutes later, but Scott Neville was flagged offside after making contact with a wayward Naum Sekulovski shot that had deflected off various players.

Gradually, Wellington found a rhythm and came close to equalizing when Velaphi punched Daniel’s dangerous cross right into the arms of Paul Ifill.

Ifill fired a powerful shot, but Glory’s Sekulovski was present to clear it off the line.

Just before halftime, Perth had another opportunity to extend their lead when they set up a two-on-one situation in the box.

Nevertheless, Sterjovski’s square pass to Fowler fell too far behind, preventing the Liverpool legend from capitalizing on the open goal.

The Glory appeared safe when Fowler headed in a lovely lob from Sterjovski.

However, Wellington struck back, with Sigmund scoring from Paul Ifill’s corner after Velaphi rushed out but failed to connect properly with the ball.

Phoenix goalkeeper Mark Paston made several crucial saves to keep Wellington in the contest.

Despite their efforts, it wasn’t enough as Perth maintained their composure to secure the win.

New Phoenix addition Nick Ward came on at halftime but was unable to motivate his teammates to achieve a draw.

Perth coach Dave Mitchell expressed satisfaction with his team’s resilience in the closing moments, especially after witnessing the Glory concede a stoppage-time equalizer against North Queensland in the first round.

“You bite your fingernails thinking ‘not again’ after building a commanding lead of 2-0,” Mitchell stated.

“But we’ve held on, which is significant for us.

“Credit to the boys … Tando made an essential late-game save.”

Phoenix defender Andrew Durante was fortunate not to concede a penalty for his clumsy tackle on Fowler in the 59th minute.

Conversely, Wellington felt aggrieved twenty minutes later when their appeals for a handball against Glory midfielder Steven McGarry in the box were disregarded.

“I didn’t see it, but the boys up front believed it was a pretty clear handball,” Durante commented regarding the appeal.

“I haven’t viewed any replays or anything.

“However, we can’t let goals in early like that and then chase the game. It’s challenging enough being away, and conceding early makes it tougher.

“We battled until the end and were perhaps a bit unlucky not to secure a 2-2 draw.”

Sterjovski put in an inspiring performance in his first game back from an ankle injury, contributing both a goal and an assist for Fowler.

The former Socceroo,Despite rolling his suspect ankle in the first half, who has netted three goals this season managed to complete the match.

Mitchell commented, “He was dealing with an injury during the second half, and we simply said, ‘look, we need you to stay on’ as several other players were struggling and likely needed to be substituted.”

“He showed a lot of grit and determination to remain on the field.”

A-League

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