It came down to penalties but Perth Glory FC has progressed to the Final 16 of the Westfield FFA Cup, claiming a hard-fought victory over the Newcastle Jets at Magic Park on Tuesday night.
Perth came from behind and looked destined for an extra time win with goals from Nebojsa Marinkovic and Sidnei Sciola, however late drama ensued when an equaliser from Labinot Haliti sent the game to penalties.
New signing, Jerrad Tyson, was the hero for Glory, pulling off three remarkable saves in the penalty shoot-out to ensure his sides’ progression in the Westfield FFA Cup.
Glory got the game underway on a chilly evening in Newcastle, but it was the Jets who threatened early.
With seven minutes on the clock, Newcastle recruit Haliti was the first to test out Glory’s new ‘keeper. Tyson stood tall and made a strong save in his competitive debut for the Club.
Glory were next to threaten when they won the first corner of the game however Newcastle’s defence held strong, repelling the aerial threats of Dino Djulbic and Antony Golec.
The game was somewhat of an arm wrestle with both teams keeping their cards close to their chest, however that all changed in the 24th minute when David Carney pounced on some loose Glory defence.
Golec was caught in possession by Carney, who battled past before burying the ball past a helpless Tyson.
In the 33rd minute Tyson again showed his mettle with a strong save from another Haliti shot.
As half time approached, Perth dodged a bullet when the assistant referee flagged for offside after Haliti smashed the ball past Tyson in the 39th minute.
Seemingly buoyed by the near miss, Glory manufactured a chance of their own when a Djulbic header rattled the frame of the goal in the 43rd minute.
Glory came out after half time showing more urgency when in possession.
Tyson continued to impress in between the sticks with brace of strong saves in the 84th minute, which would prove incredibly value.
Glory’s determination was undeniable and eventually they were able to bring the tie back to level pegging in the 87th minute.
A Marinkovic ball found Sidnei Sciola, who made no mistake, tapping the ball home from point blank range.
Extra time was required to break the deadlock and the game took another turn in the very first minute when Glory earnt a penalty.
Debutant, Stefan Valentini made his way toward the penalty area showing quick feet, before being hauled down inside the area by a Jets defender.
Marinkovic stepped up to the spot and sent Birighitti the wrong way to give Perth a 2-1 lead.
Just minutes later, Tyson again came to Glory’s rescue saving Enver Alivodic’s shot well to deny the Jets an equaliser.
However with just five minutes left to play, Haliti deflated Glory fans, scoring for the Jets after a sustained period of pressure.
The match was destined for penalties.
Glory started the shootout with a fine save from Tyson and assured penalties from Marinkovic and Valentini, however Chris Harold could only blast his shot over the bar to ensure a heart stopping finish.
Tyson came to the rescue with a great save stopping Carney’s attempt, before Golec gave Glory the ascendency. Djulbic had the chance to secure Glory’s progression to the Round of 16 but he found the crossbar.
It went to sudden death and Tyson was again the hero, saving Alivodic’s attempt before Gyorgy Sandor ensured Glory’s progress to the Round of 16 in the Westfield FFA Cup.
The draw for the next round will take place on Wednesday at 2pm WST. Be sure to tune in to Foxtel to find out who Glory will face off against as the Club continues its quest to return to the Westfield FFA Cup final.
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PERTH GLORY STARTING XI
3. Marc WARREN (4. Jacob COLLARD 84’), 5. Antony GOLEC, 6. Dino DJULBIC, 7. Gyorgy SANDOR, 10. Nebojsa MARINKOVIC, 11. Richard GARCIA (C), 12. Jerrad TYSON (GK), 14. Chris HAROLD, 16. Sidnei SCIOLA MORALES (15. Hagi GLIGOR 97’), 18. Mitch OXBORROW (21. Stefan VALENTINI 74’), 19. Josh RISDON
SUBS NOT USED: 20. Nicholas FEELY (GK), 22. Slobodan VULIN
Yellow cards: 3. Marc WARREN 38’
NEWCASTLE JETS STARTING XI
1. Mark BIRIGHITTI, 2. Daniel MULLEN, 3. Jason HOFFMAN, 4. Nigel BOOGAARD (C), 6. Cameron WATSON (5. Ben KANTAROVSKI 55’), 8. Matteo POLJAK, 11. Labinot HALITI, 13. Li KE-JE, 14. Mitch COOPER (7. Enver ALIVODIC 68’), 23. David CARNEY, 25. Brandon LUNDY (24. Braedyn CROWLEY 68’)
SUBS NOT USED: 20. Ben KENNEDY (GK), 22. Lachlan JACKSON
Yellow cards: 4. Nigel BOOGAARD 58’, 23. David CARNEY 67’, 13. Li KE-JE 104’,
Goal Scorers: 23. David CARNEY 24’, 16. Sidnei SCIOLA MORALES 87’, 10. Nebojsa MARINKOVIC 92’, 7. Enver ALIVODIC 117′
Attendance: 2,563 at Magic Park
