Bruno Fornaroli’s first-half goal steered Glory to a battling 1-1 draw with Western Sydney Wanderers at HBF Park as the club’s record A-League goalscorer and appearances-holder, Andy Keogh, brought the curtain down on his illustrious, 19-year-professional career.
View full match highlights HERE.
The former Ireland international looked set to head into retirement on a winning note as he prepared for his late introduction from the bench, but a 78th-minute goal from Wanderers substitute Keijiro Ogawa ultimately ensured that would not be the case.
Nonetheless, the 35-year-old received a superb ovation from the Glory faithful as he embarked upon a lap of honour at the final whistle and with his family at his side, was given a guard of honour by players and staff as he left the HBF Park turf for the final time.
The game was also notable for Daniel Sturridge making his first Glory start after an injury-ravaged campaign and he showed some touches of real quality before being substituted at half-time.
Despite the return of Sturridge, Fornaroli and Keogh, a raft of senior players were still missing from the Glory squad and Head Coach Ruben Zadkovich understandably took plenty of positives from the way his largely-inexperienced charges performed, especially defensively.
Watch his immediate post-match reaction HERE.
“I was extremely proud of their effort,” he said.
“That’s the basis of any good team; defensive structure and defensive discipline.
“That’s always the starting point.
“The season is dead and buried for us results-wise, but moving forward, I’m looking for those players and individuals that are willing to fight for the jersey, fight for the club and defend with effort and a really strong mentality and I thought tonight they did a fantastic job of that.
“It was backs-to-the-wall and that’s when you see the true measure of a man and a player; how they go through adversity.
“I think there have been certain individuals that have stood out to me and they’ll be a big part of the plans moving forward.”
Wanderers began the game on the front foot and yet it was Glory who twice had the ball in the net within the opening 17 minutes.
Nick Fitzgerald’s first effort was ruled out for offside and it looked as though Fornaroli’s finish from a tight angle was also going to be chalked off after the assistant referee’s flag again went up.
VAR, however, rightly ruled in favour of the Uruguayan and his eighth goal of the campaign was allowed to stand.
While the visitors continued to enjoy the bulk of both possession and territory, they were unable to force Liam Reddy into anything other than regulation saves before the break and as the second half wore on in a similar vein, it looked as though Glory were set to secure a welcome home win.
Ogawa, however, had looked lively since being introduced at the start of the second half and the Japanese import managed to rifle home a low shot through a crowded box 12 minutes from time.
With Keogh’s introduction firing up the crowd, Glory looked the more threatening in the final minutes, but despite their best efforts, were not quite able to add a fairy tale ending to the retiring club legend’s remarkable career.
Match Details
Perth Glory 1 (Fornaroli 21′) Western Sydney Wanderers 1 (Ogawa 78′)
Half-time: 1-0
HBF Park
Attendance: 6893
Referee: Casey Reibelt
Perth Glory: 33.Liam REDDY (GK), 9.Bruno FORNAROLI (C) (10.Andy KEOGH 81′), 11.Nick FITZGERALD (47.Tyler VECCHIO 46′), 15.Daniel STURRIDGE (38.Ciaran BRAMWELL 46′), 19.Callum TIMMINS (26.Giordano COLLI 61′), 21.Antonee BURKE-GILROY, 22.Josh RAWLINS (42.Josh ANASMO 75′), 23.Mitch OXBORROW, 29.Darryl LACHMAN, 36.Joseph FORDE, 37.Jacob MUIR
Substitutes not used: 32.Aidan COYNE, 12.Cameron COOK (GK)
Yellow Cards: Fornaroli, Rawlins, Keogh
Red Cards: None
Western Sydney Wanderers: 1.Daniel MARGUSH (GK), 3.Adama TRAORE (32.Jarrod CARLUCCIO 90+2′), 7.Ramy NAJJARINE, 8.Steven UGARKOVIC (23.Dimi PETRATOS 88′), 13.Tate RUSSELL, 14.James TROISI (C), 15.Tomislav MRCELA, 17.Keanu BACCUS, 22.John KOUTROUMBIS (2.Ziggy GORDON 88′), 29.Terry ANTONIS (10.Tomer HEMED 61′), 36.Alessandro LOPANE (11.Keijiro OGAWA 46′)
Substitutes not used: 6.Tass MOURDOUKOUTAS, 20.Tomas MEJIAS (GK)
Yellow Cards: Mrcela, Antonis, Baccus, Troisi
Red Cards: None
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