Gold Coast United had nobody but themselves to blame for a fifth straight A-League defeat after conceding two needless penalties in Perth Glory’s 2-0 victory at nib Stadium.
United remained bottom of the A-League table with just five points from nine games, the result sure to enhance the pressure on coach Miron Bleiberg.
It was a lacklustre and ill-disciplined Gold Coast in hot conditions in Perth.
They conceded 16 free kicks throughout the game and two needless penalties saw the Glory secure the win.
Perth welcomed the leg-up, having come into the game on the back of four loses from their last five games following a three-win start to the campaign.
They opened the scoring when a 19th-minute handball from a corner by Zach Anderson led to Mile Sterjovski’s successful penalty shot.
Then a poor challenge by Dylan McAllister on Andrezinho saw Shane Smeltz slot a penalty in the 52nd minute to secure the Glory’s win.
Anderson’s night got even worse soon after for Gold Coast when he put in another crude challenge on Andrezinho that saw him earn a second yellow card to leave his team a man down for the last half-hour.
The first half penalty summed up a lacklustre night.
From a corner, Anderson needlessly lifted his arm while under no pressure and the ball cannoned into it.
In just his third appearance and second start of the season for the Glory, Sterjovski scored the goal from the penalty and it capped off a good game for him hot on the heels of the birth of his third child, Lilly Veronica at 3am on Friday morning.
The former Socceroo showed he still has plenty to offer at A-League level, his penalty capping an solid performance before he came off in the 70th minute.
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Here is the way the Roar expert panel sees all the action unfolding across the final weekend of play prior to the semi-finals.
Mathew Leckie played a pivotal part in Melbourne City claiming an 8-nil win; playing a role in several of his team's goals.
The loser of the Sydney Derby will be under immense pressure entering the final three matches of the season.
A good performance from Michael Ruhs, scoring twice to beat Macarthur and doubling his season goal tally in the process.
Sydney moved into fourth with their point but Glory's finals hopes are now officially extinguished.
Anthony Caceres is a player with immense talent and has a fantastic work rate, broke the deadlock against the Mariners in the 74th minute.
