Wellington Phoenix’s midweek win over Western Sydney was an entertaining cocktail of late twists yet neither club comes close to rivalling the Hyundai A-League’s best for fast finishes.
Perth Glory might have accounted for title rivals Sydney FC in the first half of Wednesday’s clash at HBF Park but it’s their propensity to score late which has created a six-point gap at the summit.
The league leaders have notched nine times beyond the 80th minute of their 12 matches to date, more than double that of all but two other teams in the competition.
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Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC, both ensconced alongside Glory in the top three, are the only other sides to have struck at least five goals in the final 10 minutes (including stoppage time) of matches this term.
Five clubs, including fourth-placed Melbourne City, have done so just twice.
But how would the ladder look without these goals?
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The alternative table
Glory’s ability to outlast their competitors has already proved worth six full points, their present advantage over Victory and the Sky Blues.
Shave the final 10 minutes from each game of the season to date and the ladder takes on a new complexion.
Steve Corica might suddenly be lobbying for a law change given his Sydney FC site sit atop the Hyundai A-League in the alternative universe of 80-minute matches.
In this scenario, the reigning Premiers have collected two more points than they have in reality, while Central Coast Mariners’ long winless streak would by now be over.
Perth would be six points shy of their actual tally but there is no change to Wellington Phoenix’s total, meaning they rise from six to fourth.
Western Sydney and Brisbane Roar would also be two points better off but Adelaide United – though last-gasp victors at McDonald Jones Stadium in December – and Newcastle Jets both appear to give as good as they get at the death.
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Perth’s precious points
Popovic’s men set the tone for a season of late shows when Chris Ikonomidis struck deep into stoppage time to secure a rollercoaster 3-2 triumph away to Melbourne Victory in Round 2.
They snatched more big results against Central Coast Mariners in Round 5, Wellington Phoenix the following week and as recently as Sunday’s venture to Suncorp Stadium, running in three goals in the closing moments to claim a stunning 4-2 success.
And it was that performance, albeit against the 10 men of Brisbane Roar, which illustrated the blend of fitness, focus and preparedness to peak in the fading light that has elevated Glory above the chasing pack.
