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Hyundai A-League
Glory Disappoint Once Again A-League - 2006/2007 Season - Round 19
![]() Perth Glory FC 2 (Jamie Harnwell 29', Mark Byrnes og 43') drew with Melbourne Victory FC 2 (Kristian Sarkies 59', 76')
Despite a 2 goal lead at half time, Perth Glory once more capitulated
and finished up only sharing the spoils against a 10 man Victory at MES
in front of a disappointing crowd of 6,462.
While people may consider a 2-2 draw with the league winners a good
result it must be remembered that this Victory team was basically just
the "B" side and it puts Perth Glory's future prospects in perspective.
Just what Victory would have done had they included Muscat, Fred,
Thompson, Allsopp and Stoey in their line up, not to mention Leijer who
was suspended is anybody's guess, but I would hazard a guess that a
calculator would have been required to keep track of the score.
All this and yet coach Ron smith can leave the player most fans thought
was 2nd best behind Tomich last week, David Micevski sitting on the
sidelines for the entire match. This was the most puzzling in a string
of decisions from the ultra conservative Englishman since taking charge
of Glory, and once again as against Sydney Glory conceded a vital goal
when having an extra man on the pitch after Mark Byrnes send off.
The first half had some hope for Glory especially with Lee at left back
impressing with his forward runs and indeed he was the provider for both
of Glory's first half goals. The first in the 29th minute was a cross
from the left that Harnwell met perfectly to beat Galekovic in the
Victory goal, and then in the 43rd minute he again measured his cross
into the box for the unlucky Byrnes to smash past his own keeper for
Glory's 2nd.
Indeed it would take a Victory player to show the home side
how to shoot in this game even if it was unintentional.
That however was the end of the happy times for Glory and their
supporters as in the 2nd half it was the "B" squad of Victory that took
the initiative. This swing came about with a coaching change by the
Victory coach Merrick as he brought Broxham into the action and moved
Sarkies up into a more attacking role at the 57th minute.
Within 2 minutes Victory were back in the hunt when Sarkies was on hand
to net the rebound after Brebner's rebounded off the post.
In the 72nd minute following a crude tackle by Bynes on Harnwell, the
former received his 2nd yellow card and Victory were reduced to 10
players. Fans expected a more attacking Glory after that, but were sadly
disappointed and after 76 minutes it was Glory's target for next season
Sarkies who fired home a free kick to level the scores. It must be said
that the attempt at a wall by Glory was to say the least very poor and
there were more holes in it than in a sponge.
After that Glory did make some effort to attack but it was a case of too
little too late as another 2 points went begging.
This result now leaves Glory in the precarious position of being just 4
points ahead of a resurgent New Zealand and having to play that team in
the final match of the season in New Zealand, possibly for the "coveted"
wooden spoon.
Glory did give chances today to both new signing Rukavytsya, to Saric, and
in the 2nd half also to Magdic, with only Magdic showing real promise. Again the
question must be asked as to what young Micevski has done to get him so
far off side with the coach.
A-League - 2006/2007 Season - Round 19 Crowd: 6,462
MATCH STATS:
Perth Glory FC
Coach: Ron Smith
Yellow Cards:
Mimi Saric 11', David Tarka 52', Ante Kovacevic 87', Jamie Harnwell 90'+2'
Sydney FC
Coach: Ernie Merrick
Yellow Cards:
Roddy Vargas 19', Grant Brebner 40', Mark Byrnes 50' Referee: Peter Green 5/10 Pitch rating: 9/10 Game rating: 7/10 BOTN Player Points
:
3. Kristian Sarkies (Melbourne) Match Report by Eamon Duffy
Disclaimer: The content of this report is the responsibility of the writer. Stats are either as recorded by the writer at the game, or as supplied by FFA, or a mixture - no responsibility can be taken for their compete accuracy although we do strive for that. FFA has not this season accredited any Photographers for BOTN, so any photos used here, unless attributed, are as supplied by FFA and used by permission.
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