Goals in each half from Lachlan Barr and Ben Halloran consigned Glory to a 2-0 defeat against Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium on Monday evening.
View full match highlights HERE.
In what was their first game of 2023, Ruben Zadkovich’s side created some decent chances of their own, but were ultimately undone by Barr’s header just before the break and Halloran’s close-range finish 18 minutes from time.
Watch Ruben’s post-match media conference HERE.
The defeat was Glory’s second in the South Australian capital this season and skipper Mustafa Amini was particularly disappointed with the nature of the opening goal.
“We weren’t good enough,” he said.
“We were undone by a second-phase set-piece which we’d worked on because we knew Adelaide scored their goals like that.
“In the second half we opened up and with their quality, they scored a nice goal, but it was the second-phase set-piece that cost us.
“We had chances to get back into it, but we didn’t take them.
“The league is very tight and we’ve got three games at home now, so we’ll get home, recover and get ready for Western Sydney Wanderers.”
Ryan Williams and the recalled Zach Duncan both sent shots over the bar for the visitors during a relatively even start to the contest and only a fine block from Barr prevented Keegan Jelacic from sliding home a low cross from Salim Khelifi.
But the deadlock was broken at the other end in the shadows of half-time when Zac Clough’s hopeful cross into the box was not dealt with and Barr was able to head the loose ball home to claim his first ever A-League goal.
Ruben Zadkovich’s response was to replace David Williams with Luke Ivanovic at the start of the second half and the substitute was destined to find himself on the end of Glory’s best chance of the game eight minutes later.
Jack Clisby’s cross from the left was deflected into the path of the former Sydney FC and Brisbane Roar frontman some ten yards out from goal, but he was unable to steer his shot on target.
With the game opening up as the second half wore on, veteran Reds midfielder Isaias rattled the crossbar via a clipped effort from the edge of the box before the home side effectively made the points safe five minutes later.
The influential Craig Goodwin provided the pass which sent Clough scurrying away down the left and the Englishman’s low cross was swept home by Halloran at the far post.
Glory did mount a late rally in a bid to force their way back into the game and substitute Jacob Dowse was unfortunate to see his goalbound effort deflected wide, but ultimately the home defence managed to hold firm.
Match Details
ISUZU UTE A-League 2022/23 Season Round 10
Adelaide United 2 (Barr 40′, Halloran 72′) Perth Glory 0
Half-time: 1-0
Coopers Stadium
Referee: Jonathan Barreiro
Adelaide United: 46.Joe GAUCI (GK), 7.Ryan KITTO, 8.ISAIAS, 9.Hiroshi IBUSUKI (47.Asad KASUMOVIC 77′), 10.Zach CLOUGH (14.George BLACKWOOD 73′), 11.Craig GOODWIN (C) (27.Josh CAVALLO 90+2′), 13.Lachlan BARR, 26.Ben HALLORAN, 28.JUANDE, 36.Panashe MADANHA, 41.Alexandar POPOVIC
Substitutes not used: 1.James DELIANOV (GK), 4.Nick ANSELL, 6.Louis D’ARRIGO, 66.Nestory IRANKUNDA
Yellow Cards: Juande
Red Cards: None
Perth Glory: 33.Liam REDDY (GK), 5.Mark BEEVERS, 7.Ryan WILLIAMS, 8.Mustafa AMINI (C), 10.Salim KHELIFI (3.Jacob DOWSE 77′), 14.Jack CLISBY, 16.Keegan JELACIC (36.Joseph FORDE 77′), 18.David WILLIAMS (12.Luke IVANOVIC 46′, 4.Luke BODNAR 88′), 19.Zach DUNCAN (20.Giordano COLLI 68′), 29.Darryl LACHMAN, 37.Jacob MUIR
Substitutes not used: 13.Cameron COOK (GK), 2.John KOUTROUMBIS
Yellow Cards: Beevers, Jelacic, Lachman
Red Cards: None
#ONEGlory
