Perth Glory will look to get their season back on track this weekend when they take on a winless Newcastle Jets outfit at Hunter Stadium. Join us for live scores and analysis from 3.00pm AEDT.
Perth suffered a tough 3-1 loss to Adelaide United last week courtesy of some scrappy and unfortunate goals, but know that this weekend stands as a great chance to get their season off to a better start.
The Jets were very sluggish in attack against Sydney FC and were left to rue two terrible pieces of defending, which allowed Alessandro Del Piero to break them open at the back.
Not having Emile Heskey (who is again unavailable for this one due to injury) certainly didn’t help, and his presence will no doubt be missed again this weekend.
The Glory hold a good record in recent times against Newcastle — winning eight of their last 12 games against the Jets — and may even head into this one as slight favourites despite being on the road.
However, it’s worth nothing that the Jets will be much stronger than that record suggests this weekend due to their home ground support. Perth have only won one of their last five games at Hunter Stadium.
It promises to be a very intriguing affair indeed with both teams looking to improve on their defensive woes from last week.
Kickoff is at 3.00pm AEDT, so join us for live commentary and analysis from Round 2 of the Hyundai A-League.
Prediction: Newcastle Jets 1-1 Perth Glory
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Losing Risdon was a serious issue, he is a very important player in helping us get forward. Overall, though, yep, feeling a bit pensive about the season. Hoping for a big pick-me-up at this weekend's home game.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Agree on your point about the penalty - was an infringement (and a very lazy, poor challenge, not reckless but utterly useless) but the visuals for the man in black would have suggested a rather different story in real-time, from that angle. Not overly surprised it wasn't called.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Looks like we have problems as well at the moment. Just turning over the ball far too much with poor decision making. The number of times we defused our own attacks was frustrating. And so much for playing out from the back - Birrighitti must have been instructed to drop the ball to the deck and hit it long today, bit unusual; but creates too many 50/50 balls in midfield. The fact we had less possession at home is near criminal. Especially when we aren't doing enough with it in the front third as we would like. Not sure what is going on with structure either - one point we had a backline of five sitting deep watching an attack of three. At other times we showed our penchant for bombing forward and leaving ourselves short at the back for the counter. If we played Sydney FC in this game then ADP would have generated a goal from that late turnover, and that is saying something. Nathan Burns penalty should have been given but he went over very late and made it looked like he was milking Daisy. Good to see GVE moving Goodwin around the park again, although not much to be done there if Bridges comes in - Taggart and Burns are the obvious attacking combo until Heskey returns. However, Goodwin on the left, Virgilli on the right is when we've been most dangerous in the past. Caravella back to his usual self this week. Interesting to see what transpires next week. Wellington have started well. And we rarely travel well there.
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party
Guest
Very poor game.Very worried as a Glory fan two games in and you can see we are going to struggle to score with the side Edwards is putting out.Mclaren was utterly useless today had 2 very clear shots on goal and he made an absolute meal of both and when you think of the clear shot he screwed wide last week in Adelaide its plain to see he has a very serious case of stage fright when he's given goal scoring opportunites. Now to Ryan Edwards,he's going to have microscope on him being the coaches son and in reality he's shown nothing to say that he should be starting next week and bringing on Cameron Edwards when De Silva was on the bench, really Alistair?,people might start to talk.I fear the NIB faithful might start getting on their case if he starts and under performs again.Start Chris Harold instead of McLaren and De Silva instead of Ryan Edwards at home when we should be on the front foot and trying to create opportunities. On a lighter note loving Mcgarry's work in the pre game changing room interview!
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME —— NEWCASTLE JETS 0-0 PERTH GLORY Disappointing game really. Neither team impressive with the ball and the scoreline reflected that. Perth dominated possession, but lacked attacking strength to get through Newcastle's defense. Jets were better in attack but wasteful, with the Glory's hapless defense somehow managing to record a clean sheet.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME —— NEWCASTLE JETS 0-0 PERTH GLORY Disappointing result for the Jets, but the Glory will be happy with the point. The non-call on Burns' penalty shout will be the biggest talking point of the game, but Newcastle were poor today regardless. Full stats and reaction to come. Thoughts on the match?
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
90+3'—VIRGILI HEADER, WIDE OF POST Dangerous break from Taggart and Burns, but Virgili's header is wide. No composure. Have to think that will be all she wrote in this one...
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
90+2'—BURNS DRIBBLES, BEATS DEFENDERS, SHOOTS, SAVED Burns has been good today, but tries to do too much. Beats a few, shoots from tight angle, easy save.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
90+1'—PERTH BREAK, MCLAREN SHOOTS, SAVED COMFORTABLY BY GK Big chance for the Glory there, nice counterattack by O'Neill. McLaren shoots, but straight at GK.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
90'—THREE MINUTES OF STOPPAGE TIME, JETS PRESSING FOR WINNING GOAL Glory just hanging on for a point here. Thumping it long with every chance and allowing the Jets to attack them.
Stevo
Guest
Ben Williams would have given that LOL!
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
87'—PENALTY SHOUT FOR NEWCASTLE, BUT NOT GIVEN!! HUGE CALL!! Burns into the box, contact from a sliding defender who doesn't get the ball, but no penalty!! Wow! Huge call from the referee today. Jets' fans can't believe it, and I tend to agree. That should have been given.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
86'—PERTH COUNTERATTACK, DANGEROUS, BUT TURNED OVER Story of the day for the Glory. Lots of chances, but haven't done anything!
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
84'—BURNS GIVES AWAY HANDBALL, DANGEROUS FREE KICK FOR GLORY More attack for Perth. Handball on Burns, 25 yards out but right in front. Dangerous spot if good enough. Jamieson has the shot, on target, but pace isn't there and it's another comfortable save by the Jets' GK. Newcastle break, Clisby gives away foul and picks up a yellow card.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
83'—JETS ATTACK, CHANCE FOR VIRGILI, TAGGART, CLEARED BY GLORY Testing times there for Perth. Ball is whipped in from the left and goes across everyone to Virgili, with the ball inside the 18 yard box. He passes to Taggart, but the ball just evades him and the Glory survive. They counterattack quickly through Sidnei, but the ball runs out for a goal-kick and Newcastle will hold possession in their defensive half once more.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
80'—PERTH WITH POSSESSION, BUILDING, CHANCE FOR SIDNEI! SAVED! Into last 10 minutes now, can we find a winner? Perth with possession across their back-line. Edwards gets lots of space in the middle; passes to Sidnei. Cuts from left to right, outside box, shoots well and forces a great save from the Jets. Probably the best shot of the game, and a good save—out for a corner.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
79'—BURNS' FREE KICK EASILY COLLECTED BY JETS' DEFENSE More possession and time in attack for Perth, but they can't break down the Jets defense. To their credit, Newcastle's attack has been quite poor today but their defense has been very good. Fortunate that Perth have squandered some chances, but for the most part, they've held their line well and worked well together.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
76'—MISTAKE!! MCLAREN THROUGH ON GOAL, SAVED BY BIRGHITTI What a glorious chance there for the talisman! Mistake, McLaren wins tackle and is through on goal coming in from left flank. Keeper comes out and makes himself big, and comes up with a huge save! Perth throwing away some golden chances to beat the keeper in the past 5-10 minutes.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
75'—NEWCASTLE ATTACKING, GALLOWAY'S CROSS GOES OUT Really opening up now. Jets moving the ball around the attack well, but final pass isn't there. Attacking third just hasn't been good enough—Galloways' dangerous cross beats everyone and out for throw-in. Now five hours since Newcastle have scored in the A-League. Staggering. Jets make final sub: Bridges replaced by Virgili.
Dan Talintyre
Roar Guru
73'—GLORY DEEP IN ATTACK, EDWARDS WINS FREE KICK Right wing, free kick. Perth were poor last time they had the ball at set-piece, can they do any better here? Ball is send into the box from Jamieson, falls for Sidnei but he turns it over and the Jets can break!