Glory were unable to build upon a strong start against Sydney FC on Saturday as second-half goals from Bianca Galic and Riley Tanner secured a 2-0 victory for the hosts in a storm-affected ALW Round 3 clash at Leichhardt Oval.
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Click HERE to listen to Stephen Peters’ post-match media conference
Seeking to secure a first win over the Sky Blues since 2020, the women in purple were much the better side in the first 45 and twice came close to taking a deserved lead as Emma Tovar struck the post and Susan Phonsongkham was denied by a fine save from Tiahna Robertson.
But the hosts rallied after the interval and Galic and Tanner netted either side of an hour-long delay caused by an electrical storm to ensure that Ante Juric’s charges would claim the spoils.
Searching for their first win of the season, Sydney FC predictably sought to set the early pace and looked the more likely in the opening exchanges.
Having managed to keep the Sky Blues at arm’s length, however, Glory proceeded to force their way into the contest as the first half wore on and almost hit the front 23 minutes in.
Just as she was against Brisbane Roar in Round 2, Tovar was desperately unfortunate not to open her Glory account, this time fizzing in a low shot which beat Robertson only to bounce back out off the foot of the post.
That incident seemed to instil further confidence in the visitors who again went close on the half-hour, the industrious Susan Phonsongkham whipping in a free-kick which Robertson did extremely well to bat away at the near post.
The half-time break was ill-timed for Glory who were very much in the ascendancy towards the end of the opening period and they found themselves penned back by a resurgent Sydney immediately after the restart.
Mackenzie Hawkesby wasted a good opportunity before Galic showed no such profligacy two minutes later, side-footing home a Tanner cut-back after the latter had surged into the box from the left channel.
That opening goal was swiftly followed by the weather interruption and when play finally resumed, Glory continued to find themselves under the pump.
Alyssa Dall’Oste was forced to make an acrobatic, one-handed save to thwart Maddy Caspers, but the Glory ‘keeper was helpless to prevent Sydney from doubling their lead moments later as Tanner benefitted from a turnover deep in Glory territory and found the net with a crisp, angled strike.
That second goal left Stephen Peters’ side facing an uphill struggle and the task ultimately proved beyond them, with a stoppage-time shot over the top from substitute Gabby Hollar the closest they came to unpicking the home defence.
Match Details
Ninja A-League 2025/26 Season Round 3
Sydney FC 2 (Galic 53′, Tanner 70′) Perth Glory 0
Half-time: 0-0
Leichhardt Oval
Referee: Georgia Ghirardello
Saturday 15 November 2025
Sydney FC: 30. Tiahna ROBERTSON (gk), 4. Tori TUMETH, 5. Kirsty FENTON, 7. Amelia CASSAR (19.Skye HALMARICK 90′), 13. Riley TANNER (24. Caley TALLON-HENNIKER 75′), 14. Abbey LEMON, 15. Mackenzie HAWKESBY, 16. Willa PEARSON, 21. Sarah HUNTER, 26. Madeleine CASPERS, 32. Bianca GALIC
Substitutes not used: 29.Alyse OPPEDISANO (gk), 9. Jodi ULKEKUL, 22. Alyssa ROSE, 23. Rubi SULLIVAN
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
Perth Glory: 33.Alyssa DALL’OSTE (gk), 3.Emma TOVAR, 5.Grace JOHNSTON, 6.Tijan MCKENNA (25.Ella LINCOLN 75′), 10.Susan PHONSONGKHAM (12.Bronte TREW 75′), 13.Naomi CHINNAMA (27.Charli WAINWRIGHT 88′), 17.Rola BADAWIYA, 19.Sarah O’DONOGHUE (9.Gabby HOLLAR 57′), 23.Isobel DALTON (c), 24.Julia SARDO (2.Mischa ANDERSON 75′), 29.Onyinyechi ZOGG
Substitutes not used: 30.Jessica SKINNER (gk)
Yellow Cards: Tovar, Chinnama, Hollar
Red Cards: None
#ONEGlory
ALW Match Wrap: Glory unable to build on strong start as Sky Blues claim victory
