Mark Rudan’s men suffered a frustrating defeat at the hands of the Hyundai A-League pacesetters on a disappointing night in Perth.
With Captain Andrew Durante, out suspended, Roy Krishna was the Captain on the night and he caused the Perth side problems in the opening moments.
Krishna intercepted to gain the ball in the final third, laying it off for David Williams whose shot hit the crossbar.
Moments later and it was Perth Glory who had a chance. Ivan Franjic chested down and volleyed towards goal but Filip Kurto was in fine form once again to deny them the opener.
It was end to end in the opening stages as Williams found himself with the ball outside the Perth box. He unleashed a low drive which went narrowly wide of Liam Reddy’s post.
The home side enjoyed large spells of possession but Kurto remained solid and kept them out.
Wellington Phoenix full-back Liberato Cacace was lively down the left wing throughout the game. The young Kiwi delivered a fantastic ball for Williams, who chested down for Krishna, but his shot was over Reddy’s bar.
20 minutes gone and Perth broke the deadlock. Shane Lowry rose highest to meet the corner and give his side the lead.
15 minutes later and Perth Glory struck again. The returning Christopher Ikonomidis tapped in after Kurto made the initial save.
Confidence amongst the travelling support stayed high heading into the break as Mark Rudan’s men had come back from similar scorelines previously this season
Into the second half and Perth Glory remained dogged in defence as the front three of Williams, Krishna and Sarpreet Singh remained frustrated by the home side.
As the half wore on, Wellington Phoenix grew into the game as Louis Fenton looked for an opening down the right wing. Only for his attempted shot to fall straight into the hands of Reddy.
Krishna came closest as his side threatened with several corners. This time the ball landed in the 6-yard box and Krishna’s shot was blocked just off the line.
Rudan’s team again threatened, this time a cross into the box deflected off the crossbar, dropping into the box but no Wellington Phoenix player was present to tap it in.
Mark Rudan made a string of changes, with the intention of freshening up his team towards the end, bringing on Antony Golec to make his debut for the club. Despite the fresh legs, Perth Glory remained tight at the back and held on to all three points at HBF Stadium.
Starting XI
1. Filip KURTO, 5. Ryan LOWRY, 6. Dylan FOX, 11. David WILLIAMS, 13. Liberato CACACE,14. Alex RUFER, 15. Michal KOPCYNZSKI,16. Louis FENTON, 18. Sarpreet SINGH, 19. Tom DOYLE, 21. Roy KRISHNA,
Wellington Phoenix Substitutes
70’ OFF 15. Michal KOPCZYNSKI ON 7. Cillian SHERIDAN
85’ OFF 11. David WILLIAMS ON 23. Max BURGESS
85’ OFF 19. Tom DOYLE ON 12. Antony GOLEC
Perth Glory Substitutions
70’ OFF 17. Diego CASTRO ON 11. Brendan SANTALAB
73’ OFF 88. Neil KILKENNY ON 20. Jake BRIMMER
82’ OFF 5. Ivan FRANJIC ON 23. Scott NEVILLE
Next Match details
Newcastle Jets vs. Wellington Phoenix, Thursday 7th February 2019, MacDonald Jones Stadium, 9:50pm NZT
