Glory tasted defeat in their opening game of the new Foxtel Y-League campaign as Carlo Armiento struck twice to steer visitors Adelaide United to a 3-0 win at Dorrien Gardens.
Armiento’s brace included a sizzling strike in the fifth minute and he also claimed an assist for his side’s third goal as it was his shot that was deflected into the net by the luckless Luke Bodnar early in the second half.
Glory goalkeeper Jackson Lee was twice called into action in the first half when Armiento and Jason Konstandopoulos broke through the Glory defence, with his deft touches over the bar preventing the Reds from doubling their lead.
Bodnar also chased down Konstandopoulos with a superb last-gasp tackle after the Adelaide striker took advantage of a turnover in midfield.
Glory’s best chance of the match, meanwhile, came in the 62nd minute when Giordano Colli played a low ball from the right to an unmarked Charlie Leech in the box, but Adelaide’s defence managed to close down the Perth youngster before he could size up his shot at goal.
Joshua Langdon, who replaced Lee earlier in the second half, then pulled off a spectacular save in the 83rd minute when he dived to his right to deny Daniele Bressan from finding the top-left corner.
After the final whistle, Glory Head Coach Richard Garcia was left to reflect upon what he described as a “difficult and frustrating” performance from his team that came off the back of a big week of training.
“The boys had to back up and they probably didn’t do themselves justice with that performance,” he said.
“We didn’t apply ourselves in the correct manner and let the fatigue of the week get on top of us, rather than pushing through and striving to be better.
“We’ve been served with a lesson, but there’s always growth within that lesson as long as we take that on board.”
Next up for Garcia’s side is an away clash with Melbourne City at CB Smith Reserve on Saturday 23 November.
Match Details
Perth Glory 0 Adelaide United 3 (Armiento 5’, 77’, Bodnar 52’ o.g.)
Dorrien Gardens, Perth
Referee: Adrien Liechti
Assistants: Harry Bolan, Adam Hicks
Fourth Official: Lawson Rimmer
Perth Glory: 1. Jackson LEE (GK) (12. Joshua LANGDON (GK) 56’), 2. Zayd FARAH, 4. Alessandro CIRCATI, 5. Luke BODNAR (c), 6. Joshua SAMSON (17. Mason TATFU 56’), 7. Fraser DUNLOP (13. Bryce BAFFORD 45’), 8. Jordan ABRAHAMS, 9. Charlie LEECH, 10. Giordano COLLI, 15. Albert FULLARD, 18. Gabriel POPOVIC (16. Ciaran BRAMWELL 56’)
Yellow cards: None
Red cards: None
Adelaide United: 1. Dakota OCHSENHAM (GK), 2. Jackson WALLS, 4. Jai KING-BRYNE, 5. Noah SMITH (15. Michael CITTADINI 68’), 7. Taras GOMULKA, 11. Carlo ARMIENTO (16. Alexandar POPOVIC 88’), 12. Yared ABETEW, 13. Daniele BRESSAN, 17. Lachlan BROOK, 19. Jason KONSTANDOPOULOS (18. Mohamed TOURE 60’), 22. Cooper NUNN (c)
Substitutes not used: 20. Ethan COX (GK)
Yellow cards: None
Red cards: None
#OneGlory
Picture courtesy of Peter Simcox
