Glory remain very much in the Finals race after Cyera Hintzen struck in the first half to secure a hard-fought 1-0 win over Wellington Phoenix in what was the club’s first ever Liberty A-League trip to New Zealand.
View full match highlights HERE.
The American striker picked out the bottom corner having been teed up by Hana Lowry with just ten minutes on the clock and Glory then withstood some concerted pressure from the hosts to secure their fifth win in seven games and maintain their 100% record in this fixture.
The result means Alex Epakis’ side move to within four points of fourth-placed Melbourne Victory, with a game in hand and the Head Coach was impressed by the character his charges showed to hang on to their early lead.
Listen to his full post-match media conference HERE.
“I thought we started off the blocks really quickly and in the first 15, 20 minutes, we looked really crisp with the ball and we got rewarded with a nice goal for that,” he said.
“But they [Wellington] then took control of the game a little bit and played really well and credit to them for that.
“But ultimately, we showed that relentless desire to find a way even when we didn’t play well for 90 minutes and I think that’s the trait of a healthy team.
“We found a way to put our bodies on the line, stay cohesive and collected and grind out the result.”
Making light of the arduous 5000km journey and five-hour time difference, Glory tore into the hosts from the opening whistle and were swiftly rewarded with Hintzen’s goal.
Matildas prospect Lowry was the architect, slipping the ball into the striker’s path who proceeded to take her tally for the season to five with an unerring finish across Brianna Edwards and into the far corner.
Liz Anton was then unfortunate not to double Glory’s lead as her downward header from a corner bounced just over the bar and Lowry also went close, scooping her shot off target having been picked out by Hintzen.
As the half wore on, however, Phoenix began to force their way into the contest and although they failed to create any major chances before the break, it was a different story in the second half.
Eight minutes after the restart, Sarah Langman got down well to keep out a Marisa van der Meer effort which flashed its way towards goal through a crowded box and then Paige Satchell sent a low shot into the side-netting.
Betsy Hassett’s glancing header flew wide as Phoenix continued to lay siege to the Glory goal and their best chance of the game arrived nine minutes from time when substitute Ava Pritchard somehow contrived to place her header wide with the goal gaping.
Having survived that scare, the visitors redoubled their defensive efforts to keep the home side at arm’s length in the latter stages and ensure that they would make the long trip home with another vital three points to their name.
Match Details
Liberty A-League 2022/23 Season – Match Week 18
Wellington Phoenix 0 Perth Glory 1 (Hintzen 10′)
Half-time: 0-1
Sky Stadium
Referee: Isabella Libri
Wellington Phoenix: 12. Brianna EDWARDS (gk), 3. Kate TAYLOR, 4. Mackenzie BARRY, 5. Marisa VAN DER MEER, 7. Chloe KNOTT, 8. Grace WISNEWSKI (10. Alyssa WHINHAM 82′), 11. Betsy HASSETT, 13. Paige SATCHELL (9. Ava PRITCHARD 76′), 14. Michaela ROBERTSON (17. Claudia CICCO 82′), 16. Emma ROLSTON (20. Milly CLEGG 60′), 18. Te Reremoana WALKER, 21. Michaela FOSTER
Substitutes not used: 22. Georgia CANDY (gk)
Yellow Cards: van der Meer
Red Cards: None
Perth Glory: 20.Sarah LANGMAN (gk), 3.Kim CARROLL, 4.Natasha RIGBY (c), 7.Liz ANTON, 8.Hana LOWRY (9.Demi KOULIZAKIS 79′), 12.Sofia SAKALIS (13.Sarah CAIN 76′), 14.Hannah BLAKE (23.Alana JANCEVSKI 90′), 15.Cyera HINTZEN, 18.Sadie LAWRENCE, 19.Izzy FOLETTA, 21.Ella MASTRANTONIO (17.Abbey GREEN 76′)
Substitutes not used: 1.Morgan AQUINO (gk)
Yellow Cards: Lowry
Red Cards: None
#ONEGlory
