Perth Glory has continued their solid build up to the regular season, with a 1-0 win against North Queensland Fury at Hyundai Stadium in Mandurah.
Jamie Harwell scored the only goal in the 17th minute but it could have been an even greater margin for the home side as Glory monopolised possession throughout the match.
Qantas Socceroos defender Chris Coyne made his debut for Perth and turned in a commanding performance as he was paired with former English Premier League defender Andy Todd in the heart of Glory’s defence.
Coyne barked instructions and dictated play from the back as Perth’s defence blunted any attacks thrown at them by the Fury. So good was Glory’s defensive effort that goalkeeper Tando Velaphi was first called into action to make a meaningful save after 70 minutes had elapsed.
Coyne has only trained with his new Perth team mates for four days and while admitting he still has some fitness to catch-up on, he felt comfortable out in the middle.
“It was good to get out there, I haven’t put a lot of miles in the legs yet but it’s always nice to play with your team mates and to have a run about,” Coyne said.
“That is what football is all about, you want to get out there and show what you can do and I was pleased with how it went,” Coyne said.
For the first time in their professional careers Coyne brothers, Chris and Jamie, lined-up in the same side and found themselves playing next to each other in central defence following Todd’s substitution just before half time.
“It’s easy to play alongside some one experienced (Todd) and then Jamie came in there and I know him in and out so it was good. You do build relationships, you learn what your goal keeper wants, how your left back and right back play so the more you can play with each other the better those relationships become,” Coyne said.
Striker Branko Jelic also had his first outing in Glory colours as a second half substitute and showed he will be a menace in front of goal after creating several good chances which tested the Fury keeper.
Mile Sterjovski also was creative in attack, teaming up with Harnwell in the first half to take advantage of sustained Glory pressure in midfield which created turnovers and chances going forward.
The first goal coming after Victor Sikora stole the ball at the half way mark and sent in a great cross to the far post which Sterjovski headed back into the danger area and Harnwell pounced to bundle a header over the line.
The pair almost had another in the 36th minute with a carbon copy attempt however Harnwell wasn’t able to jump high enough to direct the header goal bound.
Unfortunately that was to be the last piece of play for Harnwell who fell to the ground clutching his left leg and had to be helped from the ground. The big utility suffering a hamstring injury when jumping for the ball and will have scans on Monday to determine the extent of the injury and how long he is expected to be sidelined.
“Jamie has been training well from the first day and looked really fit and was one of the fittest players in the team. He has trained every session and his enthusiasm is great so that will be missed,” Glory Coach Dave Mitchell said.
“Jamie is Perth Glory through and through and just loves playing for the club, whether that’s at centre half or up front. He just threw himself at the ball and unfortunately that’s what caused it.”
“He had scored a good goal and was playing well and unfortunately that happened,” Mitchell said.
North Queensland marquee Robbie Fowler entered the fray at half time and again looked on song in just his second match for the Fury. The former Liverpool star had two great opportunities late in the game to find an equaliser but just missed with both attempts.
Perth Glory will continue their preparations with another regional match next Saturday (25 July) against Gold Coast United at Hands Oval in Bunbury.
Perth Glory 1 (Harnwell 17′)
North Queensland Fury 0
Saturday, 18 July 2009 at Hyundai Stadium, Mandurah
Crowd: 2780
