If Perth Glory are to break their Hyundai A-League duck this season, Tony Popovic may look at half time of Sunday’s enthralling clash with Brisbane Roar as the decisive moment.
Trailing Brisbane 2-0 and staring a potentially damaging result in the context of their title bid in the face, Glory needed to find a response.
And, aided by the dismissal of Roar defender Daniel Bowles on the hour mark, Glory delivered one in emphatic style – running in four second half goals to overturn the deficit and finish on top of the Hyundai A-League pile for the eighth week running.
Popovic had every reason to give his side the hair-dryer treatment and tear up their approach at half time – but Glory defender Jason Davidson revealed the 45-year-old urged his charges to stick to their guns.
“The message from the boss was to stay calm and composed,” Davidson told FOX SPORTS following the match.
“We know were a quality team and that we’re going to create chances, to stick to the game plan.
“Credit to the boys, because it shows the character in the team and the resilience and discipline to go out in the second half and get the job done.”
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Glory had conceded just one first half goal in their last six away fixtures prior to kick off, but had leaked two in the space of 40 minutes to former home-town hero Adam Taggart.
It was an unfamiliar situation for this season’s frontrunners to navigate, but Glory’s team spirit and drive came to the fore once more, two qualities Davidson outlined post-match, and two qualities that will be crucial in maintaining the club’s title challenge.
“Going into the season we had our targets and we take each game as they come. For us the confidence and the belief is through our hard work and discipline.
“We put our body on the line for each other.
“Defenders put their body on the line to stop goals and attackers create chances to score the goals.
“It was a great team effort today and the boys should be very happy with the result.”
