A 10-man Western Sydney Wanderers side have held on for a 1-0 win over Perth Glory at nib Stadium on Sunday.
A 10-man Western Sydney Wanderers outfit have held on for a 1-0 win over Perth Glory at nib Stadium on Sunday.
The visitors lost Youssouf Hersi in the 38th minute when referee Kris Griffiths sent him packing after he kicked out at Glory left back Scott Jamieson.
However, despite having a one-man advantage for nearly an hour, Perth were unable to break through the stubborn Western Sydney defence in the second half as they piled numbers behind the ball.
The result ends the Glory’s three-game home winning streak to start the season and moves the Wanderers into fifth on the A-League ladder behind Perth on goal difference.
Western Sydney hit the lead in the 15th minute when Lacopo La Rocca rose above the pack to head home a cross from the right.
Perth were not without chances in the second half as they controlled possession and territory.
For all of Perth’s dominance it was Mark Bridge who had the first clear-cut chance of the second period when he forced Danny Vukovic into action for one of the few times in the afternoon.
But it was Vukovic’s opposite number Ante Covic who repeatedly thwarted Perth’s advances.
Covic first tipped a bold Nick Ward effort wide after he cut in from the right hand side, and made an almost carbon-copy save of Bill Mehmet’s effort from the edge of the 18-yard box.
Again the Wanderers ‘keeper got a saving finger tip to Liam Miller’s 81st-minute free kick that looked destined to nestle into the top left corner.
La Rocca’s goal was the Wanderers’ only shot on target in the first half as the teams split possession 50-50 with both teams recording four shots.
Hersi should have doubled the lead when he got in behind the Glory defence but a poor touch allowed Vukovic to come off his line and avert danger.
Covic was not called into action until the 22nd minute when he tipped a long-range Miller shot over the crossbar.
And he was forced to make another save when Steve McGarry hit a volley from beyond the box.
It was Western Sydney who had the better of the first-half chances and Mark Bridge was to blame for squandering a golden opportunity when he was left unmarked at the back post only to blast Hersi’s cross high over the bar.
Bet365 Man of the Match Ante Covic: The Wanderers goalkeeper made plenty of saves throughout an impressive and resolute defensive display from Tony Popovic’s team.
Perth 0
Western Sydney 1 (La Rocca 15)
