Adelaide United claimed a 3-1 victory over Perth Glory on Saturday night, moving them to sixth on the A-League table.
REPORT: REDS EDGE 10-MAN GLORY
The Glory started the match like a house on fire, hitting the front within the opening few minutes as Chris Harold headed home a Diego Castro cross which certainly put the Reds on the back foot. Perth should have doubled their lead a few minutes later with Harold missing from right on the goal line.
Perth would soon rue this chance as Adelaide were rewarded for their persistence up front with a Sergio Cirio goal that was orchestrated beautifully by the Reds. The match was very much an arm wrestle from that point on with both sides having numerous chances to hit the front before the break.
The match was then turned on its head as Alex Grant was given his marching orders for a last man challenge on Craig Goodwin which did not please manager Kenny Lowe.
Adelaide then took advantage of the extra man immediately after the break, with Marcelo Carrusca slotting home a great finish into the bottom corner.
Despite being a man and a goal down, the Glory refused to lie down as they continued to apply a significant amount of pressure on the Reds defence, having numerous chances.
They left it late, however Adelaide were able to seal the deal, Goodwin finishing the match off with a 94th minute goal.
Final Score
Perth Glory 1
Adelaide United 3
It’s a must-win match for Perth Glory when they take on Adelaide United at nib Stadium. Join The Roar from 9:40pm (AEDT) for live scores and commentary.
This time last season, the Glory and the Reds were tearing up the league. Perth sat atop the league for 17 weeks, while Adelaide were always in the mix, eventually finishing an impressive third.
Twelve months later and the two sides face off fighting for a place in the top six – a win this evening can make it a reality.
Perth are winless in their last three matches, however have picked up handy points away to Melbourne and at home against the Wanderers. The Glory will be determined to get back on the board, following last week’s lost to league leaders Brisbane, where they were simply outclassed.
Glory fans will be excited for the return of Irish striker Andy Keogh, who excited many in his debut season with the club, scoring 12 goals in 27 matches. The 29-year-old is available for the clash with the Reds, with the mutual termination of Fernandez freeing up a visa spot for the Irishman.
His return to the A-League could not have been more perfectly timed, with the Glory desperately needing results.
The Reds, meanwhile, settled for a goalless draw away to the Wanderers last week.
Despite a disastrous start to the season, Guillermo Amor’s men have rewarded fans for their patience, being undefeated in their last five matches and now just sit one point outside a finals spot.
Adelaide United remain one of the best sides at maintaining possession. This season the Reds on average maintain 54 per cent of the ball, while the Glory only average holding 39 per cent.
In team news, the Glory welcome back Diego Ferreira from injury and Jacob Collard, while Marc Warren misses out due to suspension.
Adelaide meanwhile welcomes back striker Eli Babalj and elevates Ruon Tongyik from the National Youth League team.
The last time these two sides met was in early December, when Adelaide were victorious for the first time this season, kickstarting their campaign. History favours the Reds again in this fixture, Adelaide having won three of their last five meetings against the Glory.
Prediction
The points will be shared in a tight affair.
Perth 1-1 Adelaide
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
Match Report: This was a very entertaining match between two sides that are very much in the race for a finals spot. Only three points separated these two sides before the match. The Glory started the match like a house on fire, hitting the front within the opening few minutes as Chris Harold headed home a Castro cross which certainly put the Reds on the back foot. Perth should have doubled their lead a few minutes later with Harold missing from right on the goal line. Perth would soon rue this chance as Adelaide were rewarded for their persistence up front with a Cirio goal that was orchestrated beautifully by the Reds. The match was very much an arm wrestle from that point on with both sides having numerous chances to hit the front before the break. The match was then turned on its head as Alex Grant was given his marching orders for a last man challenge on Goodwin which did not please manager Kenny Lowe. Adelaide then took advantage of the extra man immediately after the break, with Carrusca slotting home a great finish into the bottom corner. Despite being a man and a goal down, the Glory refused to lie down as they continued to apply a significant amount of pressure on the Reds defence, having numerous chances. They left it late, however Adelaide were able to seal the deal with Goodwin finishing the match off with a 94th minute goal. The match was a lot tighter than the scoreline may suggest. The Glory are at home again next week, hosting Melbourne City whilst Adelaide travel back home to host the Mariners. Adelaide's win this evening puts them into the top six for now. At full time it was Adelaide United winning away. Perth 1 (Harold 6') def. by Adelaide 3 (Cirio 27', Carrusca 47', Goodwin 94')
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
Full Time. Strebe Dilovski blows for full time and it's Adelaide United that come out victorious. They had to do it the hard way, however they will be pleased and relieved with the three points. Glory 1 Adelaide 3
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
94' GOAL Goodwin seals the deal for the Reds right at the death. He has been very dangerous this evening and he has been rewarded with a goal, smashing it into the back of the net. Glory 1 Adelaide 3
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
94' Inside the last minute and the Glory are in attack.
Athos Sirianos
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93' Yellow Card issued to Mells for time wasting.
Athos Sirianos
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91' Great bit of play from Castro to get clear. Castro ignores Keogh and instead crosses to Knowles at the back post, who headers the ball straight into the ground allowing Galekovic to make an easy save. Glory 1 Adelaide 2
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
90' 4 minutes added on.
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
89' What a chance for Adelaide as the Glory stay alive in this match! Goodwin is played through on the counter, before laying it off to Sanchez who misses the chance from point blank range to bury the Glory. Glory 1 Adelaide 2
Athos Sirianos
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88' Perth make their final change. OFF: Collard. ON: Knowles. Glory 1 Adelaide 2
Athos Sirianos
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87' It's a good delivery from Oxborrow but Galekovic storms off his line to punch it out of the box. Glory 1 Adelaide 2
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86' Reiners doing very well to keep the ball, winning a corner for his side. Glory 1 Adelaide 2
Athos Sirianos
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84' A good delivery inside the box from Oxborrow finds the head of Williams, which is hit well considering he was off balanced, however it is saved well by Galekovic. Glory 1 Adelaide 2
Ross davidson
Guest
Come on glory from ross ok
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
81' Inside the last ten minutes and it is still anyone's game here in Perth. The Glory are still pushing for an equaliser despite being a man down, whilst the Reds looking for that goal to seal the deal. Glory 1 Adelaide 2
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
80' Adelaide make their second change. OFF: Carrusca ON: Pablo Sanchez. Amor looking for that goal to bury the Glory once and for all. Glory 1 Adelaide 2
Athos Sirianos
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77' Castro steps up this time and again hits the wall from the set piece. The Glory maintain possession, the ball comes across to Keogh who turns well and fires a shot towards goal which is well hit however just goes over the crossbar. Glory 1 Adelaide 2
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
76' Substitute Hagi Gligor doing well to spark his team as he draws a foul in a threatening position. Oxborrow takes it and slams it into the wall, it rebounds back out and Castro is fouled in the exact same position. The Glory have another chance. Glory 1 Adelaide 2
Athos Sirianos
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73' Adelaide meanwhile make their first change. OFF: Djite ON: Babalj. Carrusca is meanwhile booked for a challenge on Castro, who is still down following the challenge. Glory 1 Adelaide 2
Athos Sirianos
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72' The Glory coming so close yet again! Josh Risdon coming ever so close with a monster attempt from long range which would of lifted the roof right off of the stadium. Glory 1 Adelaide 2
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
69' The Reds looking to try something new from their set pieces as they play the corner short yet again, however fail to make anything of it. The Glory meanwhile make another change. OFF: Harold ON: Reiners. Glory 1 Adelaide 2