Glory were unable to crash Auckland FC’s Premiership party as the home side ran out 1-0 winners in Sunday’s Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s Round 28 clash at Go Media Stadium.
Click HERE for full match highlights
Click HERE for David Zdrilic’s post-match media conference
Steve Corica’s men had already secured the Premiers’ Plate courtesy of Melbourne City’s failure to beat Adelaide United on Saturday and despite a dogged defensive display from Glory, a second-half goal from Marlee Francois proved enough to ensure they would celebrate their remarkable triumph with a 15th win of the season.
The visitors did threaten on a couple of occasions through skipper Adam Taggart, but the hosts looked the more threatening throughout, forcing Oli Sail into a string of fine saves.
The Auckland-born goalkeeper was finally beaten in the 63rd minute, however, as Francois’ inswinging corner crept into the net via the inside of the far post and Glory were unable to muster a response in the final half-hour.
Roared on by a large and expectant home crowd, Auckland immediately set the tone for the rest of the first half when Max Mata went close to giving them the lead inside the opening three minutes.
Logan Rogerson was next to threaten for the Black Knights, wasting two chances in quick succession as he failed to convert teasing deliveries from Francois and Francis De Vries.
Glory did briefly provide a flicker in the final third through Adam Taggart, the skipper just unable to round Alex Paulsen having been played in behind by Luke Amos.
But the home side soon regained the initiative and came within centimetres of taking the lead as Mata headed wide midway through the half.
New Zealand international Mata duly continued his one-man assault on the Glory goal with two further headers, the first of which was superbly blocked at close range by his compatriot Sail, while the second flew past the upright in what was the final incident of the opening stanza.
David Zdrilic’s men enjoyed a greater share of the possession and territory after the break, but were unable to unduly trouble the competition’s meanest defence and eventually conceded themselves shortly after the hour-mark via Francois’ Olimpico effort.
And although Taggart caused a moment of anxiety for the home fans when he fired into the side-netting from a tight angle, Auckland were not to be denied and only another smart Sail save prevented substitute Jesse Randall from doubling their lead right at the death.
Match Details
Isuzu UTE A-League 2024-25 Season Round 28
Auckland FC 1 (Francois 63′) Perth Glory 0
Half-time: 0-0
Go Media Stadium
Sunday 27 April 2025
Referee: Adam Kersey
Auckland FC: 12. Alex PAULSEN (gk), 2. Hiroki SAKAI, 4. Nando PIJNAKER, 6. Louis VERSTRAETE ( 7. Cameron HOWIESON 70′), 9. Max MATA (25. Neyder MORENO 70′), 10. Guillermo MAY, 11. Marlee FRANÇOIS (21. Jesse RANDALL 70′), 15. Francis DE VRIES (17. Callan ELLIOT 83′), 22. Jake BRIMMER, 23. Dan HALL, 27. Logan ROGERSON (14. Liam GILLION 77′)
Substitutes not used: 1. Michael WOUD (gk), 5. Tommy SMITH
Yellow Cards: Verstraete
Red Cards: None
Perth Glory: 1.Oli SAIL (gk), 10.Nikola MILEUSNIC (26.Khoa NGO 73′), 17.Yuto MISAO, 19.Josh RISDON (36.Takuya OKAMOTO 73′), 20.Trent OSTLER, 21.Luke AMOS (16.Adam BUGARIJA 62′), 22.Adam TAGGART (c), 25.Jaylan PEARMAN, 27.Will FRENEY (6.Brandon O’NEILL 62′), 28.Kaelan MAJEKODUNMI, 29.Tomi MRCELA
Substitutes not used: 4.Tass MOURDOUKOUTAS, 12.Taras GOMULKA, 13.Cameron COOK (gk)
Yellow Cards: Majekodunmi, Amos
Red Cards: None
#ONEGlory
