Diego Castro grabbed a brace after Keanu Baccus was sent off by the VAR as Perth Glory defeated Western Sydney Wanderers 3-1 at nib Stadium on Sunday night.
An extremely eventful contest panned out during the opening half between two clubs desperate to mount a late challenge into the top six.
Perth took an early lead through Castro after the VAR awarded a penalty and red card against Baccus following contact from behind on Joel Chianese.
Chianese was again involved in what appeared to be Perth’s second goal after a superb whipped cross from Chris Harold but the VAR worked against the home side in this instance with the goal ruled offside.
The Wanderers hit back minutes later when Riera slotted a penalty after he was brought down by an on-rushing Liam Reddy who received a yellow card much to the displeasure of the Wanderers who felt the challenge was on par with Baccus’ dismissal.
However the Wanderers revival was short lived as Perth began to make its extra man count with several attempts on goal.
New Glory signing Neil Kinkenny combined superbly with his new teammates as Castro continued to show why he’s one of the best the A-league’s ever seen, dazzling the crowd at nib stadium with skill and flair.
The Spaniard’s performance was exemplified by a superb curling free kick that beat Vedran Janjetovic at full stretch into the top corner to regain Perth’s lead.
The match was put beyond reach on the stroke of halftime when Glory skipper Andy Keogh drove a shot into the underside of the cross bar and in following a clever cut-back from Castro.
Josep Gombau’s side toiled hard in the second half but never looked like getting back into the match as Glory finally snapped its five game losing streak.
A well rounded performance will be particularly pleasing for Glory coach Kenny Lowe with strong individual efforts from recent additions Kilkeny and returning favorite Dino Djlubic who looked assured at the back.
The result leaves both sides locked on 19 points alongside Brisbane Roar who sit sixth position on the ladder on goal difference.
Perth Glory 3 (7′ 41′ Castro, 43′ Keogh)
Western Sydney Wanderers 1 (17′ Riera)
nib Stadium (9069)
Referee: Jonathan BARREIRO
Assistant Referees: Josh MANELLA and Arvin SHANMUGANATHAN
Fourth Official: Adam FIELDING
Perth Glory FC: 33. REDDY Liam [GK], 4. LOWRY Shane, 7. CHIANESE Joel (69′ ITALIANO Jacob), 8. TORRES Xavier (89′ BRIMMER Jake), 9. KEOGH Andrew, 14. HAROLD Chris (84′ WILSON Brandon), 16. MILLS Joseph, 17. CASTRO Diego, 23. NEVILLE Scott, 24. KILKENNY Neil, 66. DJLUBIC Dino.
SUBSTITUTES: 13. FEELY Nick [GK], 3. WARREN Marc, 20. BRIMMER Jake, 26. ITALIANO Jacob, 37. WARREN Marc.
Western Sydney Wanderers FC: 20. JANJETOVIC Vedran (gk), 3. CLISBY Jack, 4. RISDON Joshua, 6. CARRUSCA Marcelo, (11.SANTALAB Brendon 69′) 7. LUSTICA Steven, (23. SCOTT Lachlan 70′) 8. BONEVACIA Rolieny,15. BACCUS Kearyn, 9. RIERA Oriol, 24. LLORENTE Raul, 25. HERD Christopher, 33. THWAITE Michael
Substitutes:35. MOURDOUKOUTAS Tass, 40. SUMAN Nicholas (gk), 19. BRIDGE Mark.
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