Adriano Pellegrino for the Glory and Osama Malik for Queensland during the match between the Perth Glory and the North Queensland Fury in Perth, Friday, Aug. 6, 2010. (AAP Image/Tony McDonough)
Perth Glory owner Tony Sage will be delighted with what he saw off-the-field Friday night as 16,019 fans crammed into nib Stadium but his best laid plans could be held back again as the same old problems reared their head on the field.
I was amongst the 16,019 fans in the stands at nib Stadium on a chilly Perth evening but unfortunately for the majority of them, they went home disappointed by the result.
But at least they got an evening’s entertainment in a six-goal thriller.
The Glory showed plenty of heart fighting back from 2-1 down to snatch the lead with ten minutes to go after goals from the ever-impressive Scott Neville and Mile Sterjovski, but in the end it was only enough for a share of the spoils as Perth’s old injury-time issue came back to bite them.
Goalkeeper Tando Velaphi – who made a number of costly blunders last term – found himself in the wrong position for the Fury’s stoppage-time free-kick allowing Chris Grossman to head home from close-range for a dramatic equaliser.
For the neutrals, it was wonderful drama and entertainment, but for the 16,000 fans at nib Stadium it was a painful ending.
The crowd figure was the Glory’s best since the inception of the A-League, so Sage would’ve been hoping to offer a product which will entice plenty back. The numb feeling of disappointment, therefore, wasn’t ideal.
And Glory’s new international marquee Robbie Fowler – who’s presence alone swelled attendance numbers and was obviously popular with the fans given his reception when introduced to the crowd in Perth’s starting eleven before the game – only showed glimpses of the quality he promises.
You expect more will be needed from Fowler to keep the bandwagoners interested, but it was only his debut for the club.
On the other hand, a player who didn’t receive such a warm applause from the home fans was much-maligned defender Jamie Coyne. And he was culpable for North Queensland’s second after being found out of position following a poor clearance.
Coyne was forced to fill in alongside Jamie Harnwell at the back for the Glory in a makeshift central pairing.
Perth, of course, were missing star defensive duo Andy Todd and Chris Coyne, while Josh Mitchell – Glory’s next choice at the back – missed out due to issues with his international clearance from his former club Universitatea Craiova.
The aforementioned trio’s absence wasn’t ideal for such an occasion, but I dare say, Perth won’t concede three goals at home when those players are available.
Coach David Mitchell has had his critics in the past too, but he’ll be pleased by his side’s ability to swing the momentum in the game after going 2-1 down, although it’s hard to know what influence the gaffer had on that.
It was a stirring comeback, though, reminiscent of a top side, it’s just a pity for Perth the injury-time anxiety and nervousness returned at the death.
It’s also a pity for the Glory who probably couldn’t have asked for a better fixture to get their season underway in front of a large crowd and break their duck of never having won on the opening round of an A-League campaign.
The big question now is how many of Friday night’s crowd will come back in a fortnight’s time on election day when the Glory host the Newcastle Jets?
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Joe Lolley was outstanding for the Sky Blues, scoring a brace as Sydney FC equaled their biggest ever victory.
Here is the way the Roar expert panel sees all the action unfolding across the final weekend of play prior to the semi-finals.
Mathew Leckie played a pivotal part in Melbourne City claiming an 8-nil win; playing a role in several of his team's goals.
The loser of the Sydney Derby will be under immense pressure entering the final three matches of the season.
A good performance from Michael Ruhs, scoring twice to beat Macarthur and doubling his season goal tally in the process.
Sydney moved into fourth with their point but Glory's finals hopes are now officially extinguished.
