A Daniel De Silva-inspired Perth Glory proved far too strong for Brisbane Roar in their Foxtel National Youth League clash at Goodwin Park, running away 7-2 winners.
A Daniel De Silva-inspired Perth Glory proved far too strong for Brisbane Roar in their Foxtel National Youth League clash at Goodwin Park on Sunday, running away 7-2 winners.
The Brisbane defence was under pressure all afternoon as De Silva, Borbor Sam, Dnumba Makeche and Perth’s other gifted attacking players caused plenty of damage with their incisive play.
The Glory led 3-0 at half time thanks to goals from Makeche, Harry O’Brien and Isaka Cernak, then added four more after the break courtesy of Zahra (2), Makeche again and Brandon O’Neill.
Patrick Theodore and Brandon Borrello both scored for Brisbane in the second half to briefly give the home side hopes of a comeback.
The Roar were given an early warning sign when, seconds after kickoff, De Silva cut through the heart of the Brisbane midfield and sent in a cross for Makeche, only for the striker to head over.
Deft footwork from Devante Clut earned the Roar a free kick in a dangerous position on the left, and Dimitri Petratos curled the kick around the wall and into the side netting.
A minute later, Glory were ahead after De Silva’s pass pierced the defence to find Makeche, who buried the chance into the bottom corner.
The lively Perth left winger Borbor Sam skinned his defender before blasting straight at Crickmore in the 27th minute.
Further Glory pressure resulted in second goal when O’Brien’s shot from outside the box was deflected past the keeper.
In the 40th minute, Zahra forced Clickmore to work again with a low free kick, which the Roar custodian pushed around the post.
Perth found a third before the half time break when Cernak’s low shot, once again from outside the box, found the net.
The home side kept their chances of a fightback alive soon after the interval when Theodore curled a superb effort into the top right corner.
The Roar got within a goal when Borrello beat the offside trap and coolly rounded the keeper before passing the ball into the net.
A minute later, the margin was restored to two as Zahra slotted the Glory’s fourth.
De Silva nearly got the goal he deserved when he danced through the Brisbane defence, but Crickmore’s fingertips saved Brisbane from further blushes.
Zahra was left unmarked in the box and had no trouble finding the net from close range, before Makeche added a sixth with two minutes remaining as the Glory overwhelmed their hosts late on.
O’Neill completed the drubbing with a sublime free kick in injury time.