A youthful Glory side gave a great account of themselves at Coopers Stadium on Sunday afternoon before eventually succumbing to a 2-0 defeat against top-four hopefuls Adelaide United.
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Head Coach Ruben Zadkovich handed starting debuts to two more teenagers, Tyler Vecchio and Joseph Forde, blooded another youngster from the bench in the form of Aidan Edwards and saw his inexperienced charges go toe-to-toe with an in-form Reds side, particularly in the second half.
Refusing to buckle after Bernardo Oliveira gave the hosts the lead midway through the opening period, Glory improved significantly as the game wore on.
Substitute Joel Anasmo had the ball in the net with 17 minutes left only to be denied by a controversial offside decision and Antonee Burke-Gilroy then came within inches of levelling it up in stoppage-time.
Moments later, substitute Nestory Irankunda fired home a spectacular second goal for the Reds, but Zadkovich was justifiably heartened by the way his side reacted to late weekend’s heavy defeat against Western United.
View his full post-match media conference HERE.
“I’m extremely proud of their effort and the way they went about their business tonight,” he said.
“I definitely think the week [of preparation] helped us [as] we were able to work on some defensive principles and our shape.
“I thought the young guys applied it really well, so I was super-proud, but obviously disappointed we didn’t get the win.
“The positives far outweighed that result.
“I saw enough to know we are on the right track.
“We could have got something out of that game with a little bit more quality and composure.
“It comes down to quality, especially in the front third, where we are lacking a little bit.
“I’m not going to accept the loss but I’ll wear it proudly.”
Boosted by an extended lead-in to the game and keen to bolster their Finals prospects, Adelaide began brightly and shortly after Lachlan Brook struck the top of the crossbar, Oliveira went one better.
Ryan Kitto was the architect of the goal, weaving his way into the box from the left channel before squaring for the son of former Adelaide legend Cassio to sweep home.
Liam Reddy then made two superb saves to foil Hiroshi Ibusuki either side of the break, but from the hour-mark onwards, it was Glory who looked the more threatening.
In the 73rd minute, the officials ruled out what would have been a well-taken maiden A-League goal from Anasmo and as the clock ticked past the 90-minute-mark, the substitute turned provider, cutting an inviting ball back for the onrushing Burke-Gilroy who was just unable to apply the finish.
To rub salt into the wound, United would go on to enjoy the final word, doubling their lead courtesy of a blistering strike from Irankunda which flew into the top corner of Reddy’s net from just inside the box.
Match Details
Adelaide United 2 (Oliveira 24′, Irankunda 90+4′) Perth Glory 0
Half-time: 1-0
Coopers Stadium
Referee: Jack Morgan
Adelaide United: 46.Joe GAUCI (GK), 7.Ryan KITTO, 10.ISAIAS, 11.Craig GOODWIN (C), 15.Hiroshi IBUSUKI (16.Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS 76′), 21.Javi LOPEZ, 25.Lachlan BARR, 27.Josh CAVALLO (14.George BLACKWOOD 76′), 31.Bernardo OLIVEIRA (66.Nestory IRANKUNDA 68′), 41.Alexandar POPOVIC, 77.Lachlan BROOK (28.JUANDE 46′)
Substitutes not used: 18.Joe CALETTI, 23.Jacob TRATT, 50.Steven Hall (GK)
Yellow Cards: Brook
Red Cards: None
Perth Glory: 33.Liam REDDY (GK), 11.Nick FITZGERALD (24.Pacifique NIYONGABIRE 65′), 19.Callum TIMMINS, 21.Antonee BURKE-GILROY, 22.Josh RAWLINS, 23.Mitch OXBORROW (41.Chris DONNELL 83′), 26.Giordano COLLI (45.Aidan EDWARDS 65′), 29.Darryl LACHMAN, 36.Joseph FORDE, 37.Jacob MUIR (32.Aidan COYNE 83′), 47.Tyler VECCHIO (42.Josh ANASMO 55′)
Substitutes not used: 25.Jacob YOUNG, 12.Cameron COOK (GK)
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
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