Newcastle coach Branko Culina has cursed his side’s luck in its 1-0 loss to Perth Glory at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
The Jets dominated the match but were unable to take advantage of numerous chances to score. The home side was made to pay when Perth striker Mile Sterjovski scored from the penalty spot in the 81st minute after he’d been brought down in the area by Jets goalkeeper Ben Kennedy against the run of play.
“Sometimes luck is more important than knowledge or anything else. Credit to Perth they have won two games in a row on the road where previously they hadn’t won any so they will be happy with that,” Culina said after the match.
“From our point of view we are obviously disappointed sometimes you don’t know whether to laugh or cry because when you dominate a game like you did there you expect to get something out of it.”
The match was almost a carbon copy of Newcastle’s 2-1 loss to Sydney in the previous round and just like that match the result was decided by a penalty coming from Kennedy diving at the feet of an attacking striker.
After the match Culina defended Kennedy but recognised the youngster’s lack of Hyundai A-League experience was the major factor in his poor decision-making.
“It has happened two weeks in a row,” Culina said.
“Ben is a young goalkeeper and we always knew he was going to have his ups and downs – we just hoped he would have a few less downs.”
“But he is obviously disappointed himself. But there is no need to be – he is a young man – that is the price you pay when you go with young guys who don’t have a lot of experience.”
“He is learning and he will learn from his mistakes, unfortunately it cost us.”
Despite the loss being Newcastle’s third straight defeat Culina said his team would continue to try playing attractive football, but with the intent of finishing up the good lead-up work in front of goal.
“I feel disappointed for the players – we tried to play football and we will continue to try to play football. Nothing will change in that respect while I am the coach’ we will endeavour to play our way out of trouble.”
“We know where we are lacking and we are working on it.”
