Travelling Perth Glory scored a massive morale-boosting 2-1 win over Sydney FC in the Isuzu UTE A-League on Saturday night.
With the Western Australia government this week changing their decision not to reopen their border on February 5, Glory – who haven’t played a home match since November – face an indefinite amount of time on the road.
Glory captain and former Sydney FC midfielder Brandon O’Neill gave the visitors a 55th-minute lead, when he slotted the ball home after goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne pushed out a shot from Jack Clisby.
Bruno Fornaroli doubled their advantage at Jubilee Stadium by lashing a shot into the net with five minutes of regulation remaining.
Sydney got a goal back in added time as Anthony Caceres scored from a penalty after substitute Mustafa Amini was fouled by O’Neill.
The win – Glory’s first away to the Sky Blues since 2016 – lifted Perth four spots to eighth and stuttering Sydney stayed sixth in the standings.
Neither team showed much imagination, creativity or intensity in a turgid and dull first half.
Young Sydney midfielder Patrick Yazbek had the only meaningful shot of the half, with his effort from the edge of the area comfortably saved by Glory goalkeeper Cameron Cook.
Sydney head coach Steve Corica made two substitutions after falling behind, with Max Burgess and Bobo replaced by Milos Ninkovic and Trent Buhagiar.
The Sky Blues finally showed some urgency with speedy Buhagiar getting away from the defence but blasting his attempt over the bar.
At the 63rd-minute mark, Perth coach Richard Garcia beefed up his attacking formation by introducing former England striker Daniel Sturridge and Republic of Ireland international Andy Keogh.
Former Liverpool and Chelsea forward Sturridge, who had played less than half an hour in his two substitute cameos for Glory, set up Adrian Sardinero, but the Spaniard’s close-range attempt was blocked by Redmayne.
Yazbek had another shot saved by Cook and Caceres put a free-kick over the bar, before Fornaroli tilted the contest further in Perth’s favour.
