Perth Glory has made their way into the top six after a thrilling win over the Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park.
Veteran defender Adrian Leijer opened the scoring for the hosts before Chris Harold and Travis Dodd handed the visitors the lead heading into half-time. With less than a minute of normal time remaining it seemed Cristopher Cristaldo had earned a point for the hosts, however it wasn’t to be as Josh Risdon snatched all three points for Perth Glory with a wonderful goal.
Despite missing key players due to international duty, the home side made a positive start to the contest as it they opened the scoring after twelve minutes. A beautiful corner from Jesse Makarounes was headed past the on rushing Vukovic by Adrian Leijer to give the hosts a dream start.
Following the great start, the Victory seemed to drop of significantly in their play as the Glory started to keep possession, create chances and take control of the game.
Less than ten minutes after the opening goal, Chris Harold equalised with a wonderful acrobatic volley following a good pick out by Liam Miller.
Perth took the lead in the thirty-eight minute after another great play, with Miller in the centre of the action yet again. The former Manchester United player released Ryon Nagai down the left who then sent in a low cross which was put away by the outnumbered Dodd.
The second half produced free-flowing football as both sides were in search of that crucial fourth goal.
For the visitors it was Danny Vukovic to the rescue as he denied Pain and Leijer in quick succession.
Firstly, palming away a curling effort by Pain, and moments later denying Leijer a second headed goal with a great save on the line.
With a minute of normal time remaining, Pain made his way into the penalty area before cutting it back for Cristaldo who slid it past Vukovic to draw the sides level.
Replays however show that the ball had gone out for a throwing in the lead up to the goal.
Only three minutes later, much to the disarray of the home crowd, Risdon snatched all three points for the Glory with a brilliant curling effort with his left foot.
The win sends Perth back into the top six, while Melbourne Victory remain in third, a point ahead of Adelaide who play tomorrow against Central Coast.
MV – Nathan COE, Leigh BROXHAM, Dylan MURNANE (Jason GARIA 75th min), Scott GALLOWAY, Daniel MULLEN, Billy CELESKI, Jesse MAKAROUNES ( Spase DILEVSKI 43rd min), Marco FLORES (Christopher CRISTALDO 58th min), Andrew NABBOUT, Connor PAIN, Adrian LEIJER.
PG – Danny VUKOVIC, Steve PANTELIDIS, Dean HEFFERNAN, Joshua RISDON, Scott JAMIESON, Liam MILLER, Steven MCGARRY, Matias CORDOBA, Ryo NAGAI, Travis DODD (Nick Ward 81stmin), Chris HAROLD.
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