Western Sydney Wanderers FC
1
Match Complete
Perth Glory
1
T. Elrich | 95' | |||
93' | L. Reddy | |||
R. Bonevacia | 85' | |||
69' | S. Lowry | |||
58' | M. Spiranovic | |||
47' | A. Keogh | |||
23' | C. Ikonomidis |
9 | Shots | 9 | ||
3 | On Target | 4 | ||
10 | Fouls | 7 | ||
3 | Corners | 8 | ||
3 | Offsides | 3 | ||
0 | Red Cards | 0 | ||
1 | Yellow Cards | 4 |
Perth Glory were cruising towards a characteristic 1-0 win away from home, when it all went pear shaped for them.
There was an early problem for the Western Sydney Wanderers as Jordan O’Doherty went down injured with a suspected ACL injury.
The first half was quintessential Perth this season. They held the ball, they built up slowly and eventually pounced.
The ball came from a terrific Diego Castro pass, angled to go at the goal via the foot of Chris Ikonomidis. Ikonomidis obliged, and deflected it beyond Vedran Janjetovic to make it 1-0.
Perth closed out the first half by allowing Western Sydney to keep possession and slowly closing them off before they could do anything threatening with it.
The second half was following pattern for Perth. The fullbacks weren’t pressing on, and they were happy to keep numbers behind the ball to prevent any shots on goal.
The Wanderers’ first shot on target for the match came in the 68th minute when substitute Mitch Duke had a go from range.
Both teams had half chances, but none came to fruition until added time.
Liam Reddy had been booked for time-wasting as we entered stoppage time, seeing that the match went longer than the 94 minutes that was indicated.
With the final touch of the game Tarek Elrich had a blast from range. Reddy saw the ball late as the shot came through traffic, and continued into the net.
With the result of a draw, Perth remain eight points clear on the top of the table, while the Wanderers hold on to eighth.
Final score
Western Sydney Wanderers 1
Perth Glory 1
Spotless Stadium is the venue for the last time this season – possibly ever – as the Western Sydney Wanderers host top of the table Perth Glory. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7pm (AEDT).
The Wanderers travelled to Adelaide last round and took the points in a strong 3-1 victory. Despite coach Markus Babbel’s claims that the younger players don’t care about the result.
Last week saw Perth tear Brisbane Roar to shreds as they won 4-0, and there is little to suggest they won’t pull a similar job on the Wanderers.
Western Sydney will be without skipper Brendan Hamill, who misses through suspension. This will result in a reshuffle in defence.
With Patrick Ziegler still six weeks away from returning and Tass Mourdoukoutas the only recognised centre back available, it is likely Tarek Elrich will slot in centrally and Raul Llorente will come in on the left.
Perth have been running with heavy rotation this season, but with no suspensions and no new injuries, Tony Popovic’s selection process will have been made somewhat easier.
Western Sydney full backs are going to have their work cut out for them tonight, with Perth’s ever dangerous wing backs looking to exploit Raul Llorente’s lack of pace on the left, and any positioning errors by Tate Russell on the right.
Prediction
The Western Sydney faithful believe that ‘Soulless Stadium’ is cursed. Now this may or may not be true. But if it is, the curse isn’t getting lifted tonight. Perth will prove too strong, and Wanderers will get to farewell Spotless Stadium in the same mood they have done all season.
WSW 0 – 3 Perth
Join The Roar for live scores and updates from 7pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to leave a comment below.
Where: Spotless Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park
When: Sunday, 24th February 2019, 7pm (AEDT)
TV: Fox Sports 505, MyFootball Live App
Referee: Jonathan Barreiro
Assistant Referee 1: Lance Greenshields
Assistant Referee 2: Andrej Giev
Fourth Official: Ben Abraham
VAR: Kris Griffiths-Jones
Western Sydney Wanderers
7.Nick Fitzgerald, 8.Jordan O’Doherty, 9.Oriol Riera, 10.Alex Baumjohann, 11.Bruce Kamau, 12.Mitchell Duke, 13.Tass Mourdoukoutas, 14.Mathieu Cordier, 17.Keanu Baccus, 19.Mark Bridge, 20.Vedran Janjetovic, 21.Tarek Elrich, 22.Rashid Mahazi, 24.Raul Llorente, 28.Roly Bonevacia, 33.Tate Russell, 40.Nicholas Suman, 49.Abraham Majok.
Perth Glory
1.Tando Velaphi, 3.Jason Davidson, 4.Shane Lowry, 5.Ivan Franjic, 6.Dino Djulbic, 7.Joel Chianese, 9.Andy Keogh, 11.Brendon Santalab, 13.Matthew Spiranovic, 15.Brandon Wilson, 17.Diego Castro, 19.Chris Ikonomidis, 20.Jake Brimmer, 22.Fabio Ferreira, 23.Scott Neville, 27.Juande, 33.Liam Reddy, 88.Neil Kilkenny.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Agree but I think he could have been given a rest in recent times. He seems to have just lost his edge so a break would have freshened him up and given Birighitti a run. Got to guard against complacency.
Jacob Blakeney
Roar Guru
Galekovic started the season too well to be dropped though.
Jacob Blakeney
Roar Guru
That's the thing with Baseball stadia. They're not exactly conducive to sports played on a rectangular pitch.
Jacob Blakeney
Roar Guru
Match Review: Perth were cruising towards a characteristic 1-0 win away from home, when it all went pear shaped for them. There was an early problem for WSW with Jordan O’Doherty going down injured with a suspected ACL injury. The first half was quintessential Perth this season. They held the ball, they built up slowly and eventually pounced. The ball came from a terrific Diego Castro pass, angled to go at the goal via the foot of Chris Ikonomidis. Ikonomidis obliged, and deflected it beyond Janjetovic to make it 1-0. Perth closed out the first half by allowing WSW to keep possession and slowly closing them off before they could do anything threatening with it. The second half was following pattern for Perth. The full backs weren’t pressing on, and they were happy to keep numbers behind the ball to prevent any shots on goal. WSW’s first shot on target for the match came in the 68th minute when substitute Mitch Duke had a go from range. Both teams had half chances, but none came to fruition until added time. Liam Reddy had been booked for time wasting as we entered stoppage time, seeing that the match went longer than the 90+4 that was indicated. With the final touch of the game Tarek Elrich had a blast from range. Reddy saw the ball late as the shot came through traffic, and continued in to the net. With the result of a draw, Perth remain 8 points clear on the top of the table, while WSW hold on to 8th.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Oh, that’s a sore point as well with City supporters! Our pensioner goal keeper Galek is a favourite with Joyce while Birighitti continues to warm the pines. The madness continues.
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
I’m happy to see Spotless go too. Terrible football venue.
Jacob Blakeney
Roar Guru
Thank you for joining The Roar for this fixture between WSW and Perth. Full review up soon.
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
Can we have Birighitti?
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Spellcheck. Should be "you're joking". Literacy standards continue to slip.
Jacob Blakeney
Roar Guru
Well that was a turn of events. WSW will be happy to see the back of Spotless Stadium, but in their last game here, they've nabbed a point from Perth.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
LOLz Reddy.
95'
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
8 points clear now. I'm getting nervous. And I dont know how i can enjoy the rest of the day now.
Jacob Blakeney
Roar Guru
Full time! WSW 1-1 Perth
Jacob Blakeney
Roar Guru
In the 95th minute of 90+4 Tarek Elrich has a go from range, And the man responsible for the extra minute is beaten. WSW 1-1 Perth
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
YOU’RE JOKING. I would swear if I could. That good for you John?
Jacob Blakeney
Roar Guru
GOAL TAREK ELRICH!!!!
Jacob Blakeney
Roar Guru
90+4' Russell with a dangerous, deep cross. Perth clear as far as Baccus, who has a shot blocked and cleared by Kilkenny. WSW 0-1 Perth
93'
Jacob Blakeney
Roar Guru
Yellow card to Liam Reddy for time wasting. WSW 0-1 Perth