Goalkeeper Liam Reddy saved two penalties as Perth Glory held on for a 3-3 draw against Melbourne City in a Hyundai A-League classic at AAMI Park on Tuesday night.
In a dramatic ending with scores tied at 3-3, Dino Djulbic and Fernando Brandan were both sent off in the final minute as City were awarded a penalty – their third of the match – to take all three points.
But Reddy denied Bruno Fornaroli for the second time on the night to preserve a point in what will go down as the game of the 2016/17 Season so far.
City took the lead on three separate occasions in a breathless 90 minutes only to be pegged back each time by the courageous visitors.
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Tim Cahill started the goals rush with a trademark early header before Diego Castro scored a brace either side of a Bruno Fornaroli stunner as the teams went to the break locked at 2-2.
Incredibly, Castro’s second goal came just moments after Reddy saved a penalty from Fornaroli.
The hosts were awarded another spot-kick 15 minutes into the second half – which the Uruguayan this time scored – to regain the lead only for Chris Harold to equalise again soon after.
Despite some excellent chances late-on – including Nebojsa Marinkovic rattling the woodwork – it seemed like it would peter out for a draw before the late-drama with two red cards and another stunning penalty save.
The draw means City have now gone four games without a victory in the Hyundai A-League, while Glory’s winless run extends to five matches.
GOALS
1-0 City: Tim Cahill 9’
Nicolas Colazo put his out-swinging corner into a dangerous area, with Cahill timing his jump to perfection to place his header into the far corner.
1-1 Glory: Diego Castro 21’
Chris Harold burst down the right and squared a pass to Castro at the top of the box. The Spaniard took one touch to control before stroking a low drive past Dean Bouzanis.
2-1 City: Bruno Fornaroli 36’
A loose ball fell to the Uruguayan just inside the box and he was allowed to turn and curl a left-footed effort into the top corner. A peach of a finish!
2-2 Glory: Diego Castro 40’
Adam Taggart’s switch of play got Castro one-on-one with Ivan Franjic and he ran at the defender before again finishing low past the City gloveman at his near post.
3-2 City: Bruno Fornaroli (pen) 61’
After being denied from the spot in the first half, Fornaroli made no mistake this time sending Reddy the wrong way and planting it in the bottom corner.
3-3 Glory: Chris Harold 63’
A sublime pass from Nebo Marinkovic got Harold in behind and from a tight angle he blasted one into the roof of the net, as Bouzanis dived far too early.
OPTA DATA
*This is the fifth match in a row between these sides that Melbourne City has scored at least two goals, but they’ve only managed one win in that span.
*Despite clawing back to earn a fighting draw, Glory is now winless in their last five Hyundai A-League games away from home.
*Bruno Fornaroli’s brace means he has now scored seven goals in his last six games against Glory.
RED CARDS
Dino Djulbic: Glory 90’
Fernando Brandan: City 90’
The pair were involved in a coming together in the box, with Brandan kicking out at Djulbic before the later retaliated.
KEY MOMENT
Just before the break City had a chance to go 3-1 up when Fornaroli stood over a penalty, only to be denied by an excellent stop by Liam Reddy. Less than a minute later Castro scored at the other end to level the scores.
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