Round 19 action of the Hyundai A league, pitted Perth Glory against Adelaide united at home on a sunny Summer Saturday night. With both teams coming off last round wins and with the Glory looking to start something positive after a horrendous patch of 5 losses in a row and a Reds home win cementing a top 4 spot, there was a good chance this would be a competitive matchup.
When Keogh opened the scoring early in the 4th minute and Perth took a surprise lead, Reds fans thought the dreaded home voodoo would strike again, however this only fired up Adelaide and lead by their captain Isaias who played a heroic return match from suspension, Adelaide would fight back to go into half time with a 2-1 lead. Dino DJulbic would concede an own goal in the 12th (from a Ryan Strain cross into the box) and then in the 38th minute, Melsunic received a cross from player of the match Isaias and would out sprint the Glory defenders to give the Reds the lead.
For all but the last 15 minutes of the match, the Glory would trail the Reds, but in the last 15, they pulled off 10 shots on the Reds goal and all but played outside the Reds box, but to no avail. Castro and Co had ample opportunity, but left it too late.
Adelaide earned a deserved 2-1 win, and with stellar performance from Isaias, Melusnic and Strain, they proved they can play a fast attacking style, for lengthy periods of the match. With 5 home games in the next 7 games, the Reds will be looking to build momentum and cement a top 4 final spot and with news of another European player headed to Adelaide in the next week, things look good for the Marco’s men.
Player of the Match Isaias: Adelaide Captain came back to lead
Article written by Tony Polese
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