The Perth Glory and Sydney FC face off at nib stadium to start Round 25 of the A-League. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 9:30pm (AEDT).
The Glory kept their finals chances alive with a win against the Victory last week and a few slip-ups from other teams on the fringes of the top six has seen Perth surge into contention.
Tonight presents a new challenge and one that must be accepted with both hands if the Westerners are to continue the momentum.
Sydney are not the same proposition that they were a few months back and will be desperate to chalk up another win after their late winner against the Mariners a week ago.
Kenny Lowe has a full squad from which to choose and a strong Perth team will take to the pitch. Sydney will also be fresh coming off a week without ACL action and only Josh Brillante missing due to international duty.
This isn’t the absolute final chance for the Glory, and they may still make the finals with wins in the last two weeks, yet a win tonight will go a long way towards securing their place.
For Sydney, another loss will continue the erosion of their confidence and the sense of invincibility around them.
A-League clubs believe that the Sky Blues are beatable now and for Perth to complete a famous victory at home, they will need to believe it absolutely.
Prediction
Perth are always a little tricky at home and they will surprise the champions tonight. I can see them scoring and the clunky Sky Blues doing the same, yet I also feel the scores will be tied at the end of the night.
Perth Glory 1-1 Sydney FC
Catch all the action on The Roar with live coverage from 9:30pm (AEDT).
That A-League Fan
Roar Guru
Thanks for the feedback, Cousin. Did make a grammar mistake! One can dream, and you spelled 'grammar' incorrectly, Mr. English. I still have four years of education to remember all of the grammar rules, so try not to judge me too harshly at this stage.
That A-League Fan
Roar Guru
I appreciate your positive comments. Besides, I'm only 14 and I live in Hong Kong. I would be honored to be a Roar commentator, and I aspire to be a Roar Expert in the future.
That A-League Fan
Roar Guru
This was an A-League game not short of entertainment and it was an honor to be commentating alongside Stuart. The beginning was all Sydney and their dominance was rewarded through Adrian Mierzejewski, who was in the right place at the right time. It was more from Sydney FC and more from Adrian Mierzejewski who released Matt Simon who was brought down by Dino Djulbic in the penalty box. It was a controversial call, but a penalty was given. Bobo tucked the penalty away. 2-0 to Sydney and at that moment he equaled Bruno Fornaroli's most goals in a season record with 23 goals. They thoroughly deserved to be 2-0 up, but perhaps not in that manner. Bobo didn't equal the record very long by scoring another 10 minutes later, it was from another quality through ball from Mierzejewski. From a half that could have been worse for the Glory, Kenny Lowe responded by withdrawing Audreau and Chianese. The two replacements, Adam Taggart and Chris Harold provided the attacking spark for Perth Glory, who started the brighter of the two sides. Right when Sydney seemed to weather the storm, the two substitutes combined to pull one goal back with 20 minutes to go. Yet again, right when Sydney felt like they were going to win it comfortably, Keogh assisted Adam Taggart who curled a shot into the top corner in the 90th Minute. From then on, it was all Perth and the crowd went wild. There was another cross in the box but Keogh couldn't head it in. It was cleared for a corner in the 92nd minute and Liam Reddy went up forward as well. Disappointingly, the corner went straight to Redmayne. The Glory didn't lose hope and there was one last roll of the die with a free kick from 40 yards. Castro struck with plenty of venom, but Redmayne made the save look easy. That was Perth Glory's last touch of the game, as Sydney won against Perth and the Premiers Plate the hard way.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Congrats Claudio. A good first half that went a little wonky in the second. Sort of like the commentary really!
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Sydney FC have claimed the Premiers Plate for 2017/18 after a rather strange game of football in Perth, that saw the visitors hang on for the win after looking certainties at half time. Sydney were impressive in the first period without being irrepressible and took the chances that came their way. Without applying enormous pressure they found the opening goal through Adrian Mierzejewski and led after twelve minutes. When Matt Simon surged into the box and won a penalty after half an hour of play, Bobo was able to convert and the sky blues looked to have taken a match winning lead. A third goal from the boot of Bobo with six minutes remaining in the half turned out to be a crucial moment despite not appearing to be the case at the time. At the break, Kenny Lowe threw his weight behind attacking changes and Adam Taggart came up trumps. Goals in the 72nd and 89th minutes gave the Glory a late chance to steal a point but in the end the clock was to beat them. Graham Arnold will be pleased with the win, the plate and the goals, yet somewhat concerned with the second half performance. Perth will need two wins in the final rounds of the competition to have any chance of finals play and a few teams to help them out with losses. Final Score Perth Glory 2 Sydney FC 3
Stuart Thomas
Expert
I thought I was the only one.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Sydney FC have claimed the Premiers Plate for 2017/18 after a rather strange game of football in Perth, that saw the visitors hang on for the win after looking certainties at half time. Sydney were impressive in the first period without being irrepressible and took the chances that came their way. Without applying enormous pressure they found the opening goal through Adrian Mierzejewski and led after twelve minutes. When Matt Simon surged into the box and won a penalty after half an hour of play, Bobo was able to convert and the sky blues looked to have taken a match winning lead. A third goal from the boot of Bobo with six minutes remaining in the half turned out to be a crucial moment despite not appearing to be the case at the time. At the break, Kenny Lowe threw his weight behind attacking changes and Adam Taggart came up trumps. Goals in the 72nd and 89th minutes gave the Glory a late chance to steal a point but in the end the clock was to beat them. Graham Arnold will be pleased with the win, the plate and the goals, yet somewhat concerned with the second half performance. Perth will need two wins in the final rounds of the competition to have any chance of finals play and a few teams to help them out with losses. Final Score Perth Glory 2 Sydney FC 3
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
Thanks Stuart.
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
Matty Simon! The fat lady is singing . . . We are Sydney The Famous Sydney FC!
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
You are not making any sense. If you want to be a journalist then concentrate a bit harder in English and Grammer classes.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks for being on board for the blog and I apologise for the duelling banjos style that saw 'That A-League Fan' calling the game as well. He is a natural commentator and I have passed his name on to the editors as a potential commentator in future matches. I hope he accepts the role. In the spirit of good will, I will leave the match report to him. Due in ten minutes champ.
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
What's that supposed to mean? Its all over Red Rover. Sydney FC ARE PREMIERS AGAIN! Yoo HOO BIg BLUE.
That A-League Fan
Roar Guru
So much quality and so much entertainment in this match. Stuart, who was your Man of the Match?
Stuart Thomas
Expert
95' - A great second half yet Sydney hold on and win the Premiers plate for season thirteen.
Perth: 2 Sydney: 3
Stuart Thomas
Expert
95' - Redmayne saves the final shot of the night. Over.
Perth: 2 Sydney: 3
That A-League Fan
Roar Guru
He is Castro by the way.
That A-League Fan
Roar Guru
Free kick to Perth Glory, 40 yards out. He takes a long shot but it's saved by Redmayne. And it's full time.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
95' - Seconds remain and Perth play the long ball.
Perth: 2 Sydney: 3
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
No its just that Annoying A-League Fan.
That A-League Fan
Roar Guru
Perth Glory with 22 seconds to get the balls forward.