A disallowed Perth Glory goal late in stoppage time saw Sydney FC hold onto a 2-1 win over the undefeated Glory in a spiteful game at nib Stadium.
After an early spell of Glory dominance Sydney struck the first blow through Adam Le Fondre, who pounced on the ball after a scramble in the box and tucked a curling shot into the top right of Liam Reddy’s goal from close range.
After taking the lead Sydney kept Glory well contained, with the home side struggling to fashion a legitimate chance in the opening half hour.
Andy Keogh had a gilt-edged chance to bring the hosts level when he volleyed from close range on a slight angle straight into Andrew Redmayne, who stood tall to block the shot away.
The Glory began the second half much like how they started the first, with the ascendancy and momentum leading to a handful of chances they were unable to convert.
It was Andy Keogh who had the biggest chance to fire Glory level, squandering a neat pass by Jake Brimmer which put him one-on-one with Andrew Redmayne.
Keogh’s shot rebounded off the Sydney keeper and away to safety, in what was a huge let off for Sydney.
And late in the game Sydney struck again when former Perth player Daniel De Silva latched onto a slick through ball from Ninkovic, taking a touch around Dino Djulbic and slotting his shot calmly into the net.
It seemed like curtains for Glory but minutes later they hit back.
Djulbic rose in the box to head a cross to the back post where the waiting Chris Ikonomidis pounced to make it 2-1.
And just when it looked like Glory had completed the dramatic comeback, a Santalab goal was waived off by the referee after a foul by Joel Chianese on Sydney’s goalkeeper.
Substitute Chianese tugged at Redmayne’s arm who fell to the floor, and the referee chose to award a free kick to Sydney instead of allowing Santalab’s goal after the chaotic event.
A high-octane period of added time ended to a chorus of boos from the crowd, and Sydney walked away with all three points and a vital win over the table toppers.
Perth Glory 1 (Ikonomidis 90′)
Sydney FC 2 (Le Fondre 18′, De Silva 87′)
nib Stadium
Referee: Jonathan BARREIRO
Assistant referees: Josh MANELLA, Arvin SHANMUGANATHAN
Fourth official: Adam FIELDING
Perth Glory: 33. Liam REDDY (GK), 3. Jason DAVIDSON, 4. Shane LOWRY, 5. Ivan FRANJIC (7. Joel CHIANESE 59′), 6. Dino DJULBIC, 9. Andy KEOGH (11. Brendon SANTALAB 67′), 16. Tomislav MRCELA, 19. Chris IKONOMIDIS, 20. Jake BRIMMER, 27. JUANDE (23. Scott NEVILLE 79′), 88. Neil KILKENNY.
Unused subs: 1. Tando VELAPHI (GK), 15. Brandon WILSON.
Sydney FC: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 2. Aaron CALVER, 4. Alexander WILKINSON, 6. Joshua BRILLANTE, 7. Michael ZULLO (18. Jacob TRATT 94′), 9. Adam LE FONDRE, 10. Milos NINKOVIC, 13. Brandon O’NEILL, 14. Alex BROSQUE (11. Daniel DE SILVA 83′), 22. Siem DE JONG (8. Paulo RETRE 59′), 23. Rhyan GRANT.
Unused subs: 20. Aleksander CISAK (GK), 31. Luke IVANOVIC.
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