Soccer

Glory Go Down In Controversial Finish

Sunday 7th February 2010

Author: LMSC & Wires

Photographer: PSPWA / Matt Greenfield

The Perth Glory have slipped to fifth on the A-League table after a heart breaking 3-2 loss to Sydney FC at Parramatta Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Despite a spirited effort by a vastly undermanned Glory side, it was a two goal performance from former Socceroo John Aloisi that gave Sydney the victory after Perth had levelled twice after finding themselves as goal down.

The Glory went into the clash looking for three points to keep the possibility of a third place finish alive, but the football gods had dealt some big blows in the lead up with three of their star players ruled out through injury.

Captain Jacob Burns, striker Mile Sterjovski and first choice keeper Tando Velaphi were all missing with the club not wanting to take any chances with the star trio so close to the finals.

It meant the Glory were vastly outgunned by the Sydneysiders but coach Dave Mitchell praised his team’s efforts after the result saying they showed tremendous spirit and courage to twice come back from a goal down.

“Very proud, it shows we now have a bit of depth at the club and it’s a credit to them,” said Perth coach Mitchell after the game.

“They gave everything in the second half and I think we deserved something out of the game but it wasn’t to be.”

Perth had a golden chance to take the lead early when Steven McGarry found a gap in the home side’s defensive wall but fired straight into the keeper’s hands.

Down the other end of the pitch, Sydney were creating plenty of chances of their own.

The tide finally broke on 24 minutes when Alex Brosque danced his way through three defenders to fire from close range, with the keeper beaten the ball was cleared with a defensive header on the last line by Perth only to land at the feet of Shannon Cole.

Cole re-launched the attack on the Glory goal mouth only to be struck down by Perth’s Todd Howarth, referee Chris Beath not hesitating in pointing to the spot.

Sydney captain Steve Corica then easily converted the penalty to begin what would be an entertaining five goal feast.

Despite the early set-back, the Glory didn’t take a backwards step with new striker Daniel McBreen forcing Clint Bolton into a stunning save with his long range effort from beyond the penalty area.

It would be the first of many saves by the Sydney gloveman who’s efforts would continue to frustrate the Glory for most the afternoon.

With half time just second away, Perth continued to press with results coming just before the first half whistle. In a well worked move, Wayne Srhoj volleyed home from the edge of the 18 yard box, after a nice touch from Andrija Jukic.

Five minutes into the second half Sydney took the lead again but in controversial circumstances when Aloisi’s shot was cleared off the line by Glory defender Chris Coyne.

Confusion then reined for several minutes as the referee awarded a Sydney corner, to the protests of the Sydney players.

After discussions with the assistant, and also via radio link to the fourth official on the sidelines, the goal was eventually awarded with TV replays showing the ball had indeed crossed the line only to exit the side netting close to the far post.

Questions were then immediately raised by the Glory camp and even the TV commentators with suggestions the fourth official had actually used a TV monitor on the sidelines, used by the broadcaster’s boundary rider, to advise the referee of the outcome.

Despite the pandemonium, Glory still refused to give up the chase with come-lately striker Daniel McBreen again staring to give Perth a chance.

A centering ball that skidded across the goal mouth by Scott Bulloch, found the diving feet of McBreen just near the post to again level the scores.

But alas the home side again had another card to play in the entertaining contest.

A classic header from Aloisi, rising high in the box to send the ball into the far corner leaving the Perth keeper no chance to stop it put Sydney in front for the third time with just eight minutes remaining.

But still Perth refused to give in. McBreen again forced Bolton into a brilliant save, with another stinging shot but in the end time ran out for the visitors.

In the aftermath the talking point of Aloisi’s first goal refused to go away. Glory coach Mitchell, although acknowledging the score was legitimate, questioned the process that unfolded.

"It was a goal - there was no question it wasn't a goal,“ said Mitchell.

“But I think it'd been decided it was a corner (then) they've showed it on the big screen and everyone's 'oh, it was a goal'.”

With referee Chris Beath seeming to take direction from the fourth official on the sidelines, Mitchell questioned what took place to determine the outcome given it would have been impossible to see from the sidelines without the help of a TV replay - which is currently not allowed in the sport.

"The linesman didn't indicate it was a goal at the time and the referee's gone the same, (somehow) he's changed his mind.''

The Glory now round up their home and away season against the Brisbane Roar next Saturday at ME Bank Stadium before their first A-League finals campaign begins.

With a win over Brisbane and results going their way, the highest they can finish will be in fourth spot. A loss could see them slip to sixth spot.

A-League Round 26
Sydney FC - 3 (CORICA 24’, ALOISI 50’, 82’)
Perth Glory - 2 (SRHOJ 45+1’, McBREEN 76’)
At Parramatta Stadium
Crowd: 8532