Goals from Daniel Adlung, Nathan Konstandopoulos and Johan Absalonsen condemned Glory to a disappointing 3-0 defeat against Adelaide United at nib Stadium on Friday night.
German import fired the Reds in front after ten minutes, with Konstandopoulos then doubling their lead midway through the second half and substitute Absalonsen sealing his side’s fourth away win of the campaign four minutes from time.
One bright spot for Glory was the return of Adam Taggart who was introduced from the bench at half time and very nearly grabbed his side a lifeline on 79 minutes when he bent a superb shot inches wide of the target.
Chris Harold also went close for the hosts early in the first half, as did Joseph Mills and Diego Castro, but there was no denying the visitors who climbed to third courtesy of their victory, while Glory slipped to seventh.
United’s opener came after fine work down the right from Nikola Mileusnic who capped his bursting run by cutting the ball back to the edge of the box from where Adlung found the bottom corner with a pinpoint low drive.
Harold then flashed a 20-yard effort just wide as Glory looked to reply immediately and seconds later, Castro was just unable to steer home the loose ball after Adelaide ‘keeper Daniel Margush had failed to hold on to a speculative effort from MIlls.
The South Australians continued to look dangerous going forward, however and were unfortunate not to extend their lead on the half-hour when Papa Babacar Diawara rose highest to meet an Isaias free-kick only to see his powerful header crash against the bar.
Glory then rallied at the start of the second half and, ironically, were enjoying their best period of the game when the Reds broke through for a second time.
This time Absalonsen created the chance for Konstandopoulos and the 21-year-old rifled home his first senior goal from just inside the box.
Taggart and Castro came close to halving the arrears late on, but ultimately it was Marco Kurz’s side who had the last word as Absalonsen challenged Liam Reddy for a high ball and although he appeared to impede the Glory ‘keeper, no whistle was forthcoming and when the ball squirmed loose, the Dane calmly side-footed into the empty net.
Glory have an immediate chance to make amends when they welcome Melbourne City to nib Stadium on Tuesday, (kick off at 7pm) with kids again being admitted FREE.
#CREATEDESTINY
Match Details
Perth Glory 0 Adelaide United 3 (Adlung 10′, Konstandopoulos 71′, Absalonsen 85′)
Half-time 0-1
nib Stadium, Perth
Attendance: 9069
Kick-Off: 7:00 PM (Local) (10:00 PM AEDT)
Referee: Kurt Ams
Assistant Referee 1: Josh Mannella
Assistant Referee 2: Matthew Southern
Fourth Official: Adam Fielding
Video Assistant Referee: Eddie Lennie
Perth Glory: 33.Liam REDDY (Gk), 2.Alex GRANT, 5.Jacob POSCOLIERO, 9.Andy KEOGH (c), 14.Chris HAROLD (19.Joe KNOWLES 64′), 16.Joseph MILLS, 17.Diego CASTRO, 18. Andreu GUERAO (22.Adam TAGGART 46′), 20.Jake BRIMMER (24.Callum TIMMINS 77′), 26.Jacob ITALIANO, 29.Jeremy WALKER
Substitutes not used: 13 Nick FEELY (Gk), 27.Riley WARLAND
Yellow cards: Andreu
Red cards: None
Adelaide United: 1.Daniel MARGUSH (Gk), 2.Michael MARRONE, 7.Ryan KITTO (12.Mark OCHIENG 83′), 8.ISAÍAS (c), 9.Baba DIAWARA (11.Johan ABSALONSEN, 46′) 16.Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS, 17.Nikola MILEUSNIC, 22.Ersan GÜLÜM, 23.Jordan ELSEY, 29.Ryan STRAIN 37.Daniel ADLUNG (24.Jordan O’DOHERTY 41′)
Substitutes not used: 5.Taylor REGAN, 30.Isaac RICHARDS (Gk),
Yellow cards: None
Red cards: None
