Superb second-half strikes from Susan Phonsongkham and Grace Jale steered Glory to an impressive 2-0 victory over last season’s beaten grand finalists, Western United at Macedonia Park.
Click HERE for full match highlights
Click HERE to view Alex Epakis’ post-match presser.
Despite the presence of five debutants in the starting eleven, Alex Epakis’ side produced a cohesive, disciplined and energetic display, urged on by a bumper and vocal home crowd.
And although United created the better chances in the first half, once Phonsongkham picked out the far corner from just outside the box four minutes after the restart, the hosts controlled the remainder of the contest.
Jale eventually made it 2-0, crashing home a spectacular shot after a surging run through the heart of the visitors’ defence and Glory’s lead was rarely threatened as they comfortably saw out the final moments.
The opening exchanges of the game saw Morgan Aquino called into action on several occasions, firstly to smother bravely at the feet of Hannah Keane and then to push a Melissa Taranto header around the post.
But it was a very different story after the break as Glory hit the front almost immediately.
Millie Farrow, who produced a tireless performance on debut, chased another seemingly lost cause and managed to pull the ball back to the top of the box where Phonsongkham took a touch before beating Alyssa Dall’ Oste in the United goal with a pinpoint curling effort.
The Victorian side did then strike the woodwork via Tyla Jay Vlajnic’s viciously-struck free-kick, but Glory were soon back on the front foot and made their pressure pay 11 minutes from time.
Picking up the ball just inside the United half, Jale bore down on goal and as several defenders converged upon her, she unleashed a thumping strike which left Dall’ Oste clutching at thin air as it arrowed its way into the roof of the net.
Jale was then denied a second right at the death as Glory looked to finish with a flourish, Dell’ Oste making a fine save with her feet.
The women in purple return to action on Sunday as part of an ALW/ALM double-header against Newcastle Jets at HBF Park.
Match Details
Liberty A-League 2023/24 Season Round 1
Perth Glory 2 (Phonsongkham 49′, Jale 79′) Western United 0
Half-time: 0-0
Macedonia Park
Attendance: 1114
Referee: Isabella Blaess
Perth Glory Line-Up: 1.Morgan AQUINO (GK), 3.Jessika COWART, 4.Natasha RIGBY (c), 8.Hana LOWRY, 9.Millie FARROW (17.Abbey GREEN 71′), 10.Susan PHONSONGKHAM (18.Sadie LAWRENCE 77′), 11.Grace JALE, 12.Sofia SAKALIS (13.Sarah CAIN 77′), 21.Claudia MIHOCIC, 25.Grace JOHNSTON (19.Izzy FOLETTA 85′), 27.Georgia CASSIDY
Substitutes not used: 24.Sally JAMES (GK)
Yellow Cards: Sakalis, Mihocic, Phonsongkham
Red Cards: None
Western United Line-Up: 1. Alyssa DALL’OSTE (GK), 2. Stacey PAPADOPOULOS, 4. Jaclyn SAWICKI, 9. Hannah KEANE, 10. Kahli JOHNSON (20. Keiwa HIEDA 70′), 11. Emma ROBERS (7. Kiara DE DOMIZIO 57′),15. Adriana TARANTO, 16. Melissa TARANTO, 18. Grace MAHER, 19. Tyla Jay VLAJNIC, 22. Alana CERNE
Substitutes not used: 24. Julia SARDO, 26. Natalie PICAK (GK)
Yellow Cards: De Domizio, Keane
Red Cards: None
#ONEGlory
