No winner could be found between the Western Sydney Wanderers and the Perth Glory on New Year’s Day, with the final scoreline being a goal each.
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Final score
Western Sydney Wanderers 1
Perth Glory 1
Perth Glory and the Western Sydney Wanderers are both sitting awkwardly mid-table as they come together tonight after an up and down opening half to their seasons. Catch all the live scores, highlights and A-League action from 7:50pm (AEDT) on The Roar.
Both clubs have struggled with inconsistencies this season but still sit in a reasonable position on the edge of the finals equation coming into the business end of the competition.
Neither side has blown the league out of the water, with just five wins between them from a combined 24 games, but they’ve been racking up the draws and staying within reach of a tight top six-fight.
The Wanderers have scrapped their way to seven draws from their first 12 games of the season and sit on 13 points, equal with Perth and Newcastle who sit ahead of both sides on goal difference.
Just one goal separates the two sides in sixth and seventh with the chance to move clear into the top six with a win today.
Defence has been the downfall of both sides throughout the competition.
Perth have conceded the second-most goals in the league, averaging 2.2 goals per game for the season.
While the Wanderers are the only side in the competition not to have registered a clean sheet yet this season as they struggle to hold onto big games at the back.
Despite holding onto a thrilling game-of-the-tournament three-all draw with Melbourne City last week, Perth have gone five weeks without a win now.
Not to be outdone though, the Wanderers have won just a single game from their last 10 fixtures in the league.
Despite this, the Wanderers can take plenty of confidence into tonight’s matchup having gone undefeated against the Glory in their last four encounters, including wins in both their last home games against Perth.
The Wanderers will be without Brendon Santalab after the 34-year-old was given two weeks for striking the face of Roar defender Jade North during last weeks 1-1 draw.
He also received his fifth yellow card of the season earlier in the game, meaning he will miss three games all up.
Western Sydney will also be without Kerem Bulut who was released earlier this week.
Prediction
This is a massive game for both sides to wrestle their way through a tight mid-table scramble and consolidate their position in the top six.
Neither team has been in groundbreaking form this season but have shown glimpses of great football and an untapped potential that’s been sitting just under the surface.
This game should be a pretty entertaining affair with plenty of attacking opportunity, but much like most of the season, these two sides might be ending the 90 minutes on equal footing and sharing the points.
2-2 draw
james
Guest
hi i was just wondering if you knew the amount of spectators at this event
ac
Guest
Can someone tell me are members counted the same in A League as they are in AFL ( which are rubbery at best )
Connor Bennett
Editor
Connor Bennett
Editor
FULLTIME The final whistle blows and that's yet another draw for the Western Sydney Wanderers, their 8th of the season from 13 games and they remain outside the top six. The Wanderers dominated the contest for the majority of the game but just couldn't score when the opportunities arose and failed to capitalise on the fountain of possession and field position they held onto. An early first half goal for Adam Taggart gave the visitors the lead and they were able to hold on and defend sternly at the back for a long time, but the pressure broke them down eventually and conceded in the 67th minute on the counter attack. Both sides will most likely walk away disappointed with the result. Wanderers – 1 Glory – 1
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +3 SUBSTITUTION Perth Glory make one of the latest changes you possibly can in a game of football. With five seconds on the clock, Brandon Wilson comes off the field in place of Marinkovic. Wanderers – 1 Glory – 1
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +2 YELLOW CARD Keanu Baccus gets his name in the referees book for a bit of a push in the back. Wanderers – 1 Glory – 1
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +1 Diego Castro finding some room to move down the left side. He's outnumbered but has support in the middle. The cross goes in and bit too deep. Perth trying desperately to get men forward as they run out of time and chances. Wanderers – 1 Glory – 1
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +3 minutes of stoppage time Wanderers – 1 Glory – 1
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' Perth taking it steady on the throw in here as we head into the last minute of the game before we hit stoppage time. Western Sydney all over the round ball again and hold onto possession in the enemy half. Wanderers – 1 Glory – 1
Connor Bennett
Editor
88' Counter on for Perth again here!! Nope. Western Sydney are all over it once again as they drive into the Glory half. The Wanderers will be kicking themselves if they don't win this one. Wanderers – 1 Glory – 1
Connor Bennett
Editor
87' YELLOW CARD That's a terrible effort from Jack Clisby. Lazy and aggressive. Castro was looking for the ball on the Perth counter attack and made his way in front of Clisby who just gives up on the run and simply shoves Castro over in the back to give away the free kick. Wanderers – 1 Glory – 1
Connor Bennett
Editor
86' That man Martinez again. He's been all over the Perth defence tonight as he weaves his magic through a pair of yellow shirts but he runs out of room and gives it away. Wanderers – 1 Glory – 1
Connor Bennett
Editor
85' Risdon has the chance to cross with plenty of numbers in the middle for Perth, but he's made a mess of that, firing it into two Western Sydney defenders and out of the box. Wanderers – 1 Glory – 1
Connor Bennett
Editor
84' Perth working out of their own half, switching from left to right and finding Risdon down the sideline. Not a lot going on for the Glory who haven't spent a lot of time up there tonight. Wanderers – 1 Glory – 1
Connor Bennett
Editor
83' YELLOW CARD Dimas dives in very recklessly on Chianese, taking out the legs and earning himself a yellow card. That's his fifth of the season as well so he'll be staying at home next week. Wanderers – 1 Glory – 1
Connor Bennett
Editor
82' Turnovers all over the place here with a few suspect tackles in between but the ref is happy to let it all go. The game is rolling end to end at the moment as both sides hunt for a winner. Wanderers – 1 Glory – 1
Connor Bennett
Editor
81' Wanderers pressing equally as hard in defence, forcing the Glory to push all the way back to keeper Liam Reddy who has to clear out the side. Wanderers – 1 Glory – 1
Connor Bennett
Editor
80' Perth are scrambling a bit here in defence as Western Sydney, for the hundredth time tonight, work deep into the Glory half and press up towards goal. Wanderers – 1 Glory – 1
Connor Bennett
Editor
79' SUBSTITUTION Both sides making another change here. For Western Sydney, they bring on Keanu Baccus in place of Hamill. While Perth have taken off Harold and brought on Joel Chianese. Wanderers – 1 Glory – 1
Connor Bennett
Editor
78' Western Sydney again holding the pill at the back before moving up into the midfield and spreading to the left to find Martinez and Nichols. Dimas gets in on the act as well as they throw the ball around all the over the place. Wanderers – 1 Glory – 1