Perth Glory’s Youth Team sit top of the table two rounds into the new competition following their second consecutive away win.
Perth Glory-s Youth Team sit top of the table two rounds into the new competition following their second consecutive away win.
A goal in each half gave Perth a well deserved 2-0 win against Melbourne Victory at Green Gully on Sunday afternoon as the young West Aussies, ably assisted by Argentinean Adrian Trinidad who scored both goals, controlled play for the majority of the 90 minutes.
Youth Team Captain Tando Velaphi made several impressive saves in goal and marshalled the defence with authority to press his claim, as did Trinidad, for inclusion in Glory’s senior team with Coach Dave Mitchell an interested onlooker.
“I think all our players, not only the over age boys, should be pushing for first team places, it is one of the great opportunities of this national youth league set-up,” said Perth Youth Team Coach Gareth Naven.
“They-re here to learn and develop and hopefully make an impression with their A-League team watching on. I certainly say to my players that this is their chance to put pressure on first team players,” Naven said.
Perth took the lead when Trinidad tapped in at the back post after Victory keeper Mijo Marinovic misjudged a corner kick in the 34th minute. His second coming deep into added time as Glory produced a classic piece of counter attacking football.
Melbourne-s opportunities in front of goal were blunted by Velaphi-s command of the area despite the best efforts of former Perth Glory & Hyundai A-League Rising Star winner Nick Ward leading the Victory attack.
The home side played out the final half hour with 10 men after Steve Pantelidis received a straight red card after an altercation with Trinidad.
Perth controlled the ball through midfield and continued to threaten going forward with substitute Ludovic Boi having a great chance to double his tally this season. Trinidad was again involved in the play as he drew a defender and played Boi into space inside the penalty area, but his shot was just across the face.
Perth had a couple of anxious moments in the dying minutes with Melbourne hitting the upright as they searched desperately for the equaliser however Glory hit back immediately on the counter with Trinidad putting the result beyond doubt.
“The Victory came at us, started taking risks with three or four up front but we handled it well,” Naven said.
“It-s a long trip from Perth and something pretty new for most of these boys so it is credit to them the way they-ve gone about it today and the past couple of weeks. Everyone likes to win, it-s always a better flight home,” Naven said.
Melbourne Victory 0
Perth Glory 2 (Adrian Trinidad 34-/90+2-)
Green Gully Reserve, Melbourne
Referee: Lucien Laverdure
Assistant Referees: James Nicolopoulos, Kris Flynn
Fourth Official: Alex Azcurra
Melbourne Victory: 7.Aziz BEHICH, 12.Leigh BROXHAM, 3.Ante CICAK (5.Fabio DI LIZIA 51-), 6.Cameron DRAKE (3.Ante CICAK 74′), 4.Matthew FOSCHINI (8.Stephen HATZIKOSTAS 61-), 11.Dimitri HATZIMOURATIS, 1.Mijo MARINOVIC (gk), 9.Mathew THEODORE, 14.Steven PANTELIDIS (OA), 2.Steven PACE (OA), 10.Nick WARD (OA) (13.Andy JEREZ 46-)
Substitutes not used: 20.Sebastian MATTEI (gk)
Yellow cards: Ante Cicak 15-, Matthew Foschini 21-, Andy Jerez 61-, Dimitri Hatzimouratis 65-
Red Cards: Steven Pantelidis 53-
Perth Glory: 17.Hayden DOYLE (11.Ludovic BOI 58-), 6.Dean EVANS, 5.Brent GRIFFITHS, 13.Andrija JUKIC (10.Adam LUCA 58-), 15.Scott NEVILLE, 7.James SAMMUT, 9.Anthony SKORICH (22.Ryan PEARSON 51-), 1.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 12.Reece VITTIGLIA, 8.Adrian TRINIDAD (OA), 21.Mark LEE (OA)
Substitutes not used: 20.Jason PETKOVIC (OA)
Yellow cards: Adrian Trinidad 53-, Brent Griffiths 57-
Red Cards: Nil
