KEEPUP followed along LIVE to bring you all the goals, highlights, up to date scores and biggest talking points from an Isuzu UTE A-Leagued double-header on Saturday.
THE SATURDAY AGENDA
Western United 6-0 Perth Glory
MATCH REPORT: WESTERN CRUSH GLORY 6-0 IN TASMANIA
Newcastle Jets 1-2 Melbourne Victory
MATCH REPORT: VICTORY BREAK JETS HEARTS WITH LATE MARGIOTTA WINNER
REACTION
WATCH: Zadkovich blasts ‘seasoned professionals’ as Glory hit ‘rock bottom’
Perth Glory interim head coach Ruben Zadkovich says basic fundamental mistakes from some of the most seasoned professionals in his playing squad were a large proponent of the club’s worst ever defeat in Isuzu UTE A-League history on Saturday afternoon.
Perth were belted 6-0 by Western United at UTAS Stadium, equalling the club’s all-time record defeat experienced in the days of the National Soccer League against Parramatta Power in November, 2003.
In an extraordinary post-match press conference, Zadkovich admitted there were some positive performances from his players – singling out Giordano Colli, Darryl Lachman and Joshua Anasmo for praise – but also conceded there were some “massive negatives for some key individuals”, whom he elected not to name.
Zadkovich also signalled his intent to carry the club into next season should it be what’s best for the club hitting “rock bottom” and going through the “darkest period” in its 25-year history.
“(It was) poor, to be honest, extremely poor,” Zadkovich said. “Certain individuals didn’t want to go about the game the way they need to at this level, and it cost the team.
“Basics, basic fundamentals – and I’m not talking about the young and inexperienced players. I’m talking about some of our seasoned professionals.
He added: “There are positives in some key individuals, and there are some massive negatives for some key individuals.
“I can see it, I can feel it, I understand this process. Players will get exposed, players will be a part of what we’re building next year, and players won’t.
“I’m bitterly disappointed. I’m fuming… and there will be repercussions for some people.”
Watch the full press conference below
‘They’re on the cusp of the trophy’: Premiers Plate Western’s to lose
After Western United’s 4-1 loss to Wellington Phoenix last weekend, it appeared John Aloisi’s side were more likely to be caught by third-placed Melbourne Victory than catching Melbourne City at the top of the table.
But an emphatic 6-0 win over Perth Glory on Saturday night has the team in green and black looking up the table instead of down, with the gap between first and second closing to just five points.
Western have two games in hand over City; with Patrick Kisnorbo’s side in Thailand for the AFC Asian Champions League group stage, Western will jump into top spot should they manage to win both of their games scheduled between now and City’s return in early May.
City next appear in the A-League Men’s on May 4. Both City and Western will begin the day with two games to play to the end of the regular season.
“It’s all about Western United tonight under John Aloisi,” said Paramount+ co-commentator Andy Harper after Western’s 6-0 Glory rout.
“They’re on the cusp. They’re on the cusp of the trophy… it’s in their hands (if) they can run past Melbourne City and then hold their nerve.”
… but don’t write off Victory for the title charge
On Saturday morning, there were two sides eager to keep their premiership hopes alive.
Western United were one; their 6-0 win over Perth was never in any doubt. But Melbourne Victory looked set to waste the opportunity to claim three points against ninth-placed Newcastle Jets, as the clock ticked into second-half stoppage time with scores locked at 1-1.
Francesco Margiotta and Lleyton Brooks, second-half substitutes brought on to effect the game by Victory head coach Tony Popovic, combined at the death to snatch all three points, with Brooks supplying a sublime cross and Margiotta the header to match to settle a 2-1 win.
Victory now sit eight points behind leaders Melbourne City with two games in hand and momentum garnered from an 11-game unbeaten run.
First-half goalscorer Nick D’Agostino spoke to Paramount+ post-match: “We knew it was going to be tough coming here. They have a lot to play for, and we want to finish on the top – so both teams have a lot to play for.
D’Agostino added: “We’re stringing results together now, and it’s the perfect time of the season for it, it’s crunch time and we’re feeling good.”
FULL-TIME: NEWCASTLE JETS 1-2 MELBOURNE VICTORY
90+2′: GOAL! Margiotta breaks Jets hearts (-12)
A glorious header from Francesco Margiotta has broken the deadlock in second-half stoppage time, with Victory restoring their one-goal advantage at the death.
65′: GOAL! Siatravanis levels the score (1-1)
That’s assist 11 of the season for Jets creator Daniel Penha, whose through pass cut Victory’s defence apart to set Savvas Siatravanis in on goal to supply the finish.
Victory defender Jason Geria vented his frustration as the ball hit the net as goalkeeper Ivan Kelava failed to get off his line to close the space before Siatravanis drove into the box to finish.
52′: CHANCE! D’Agostino hits the crossbar… again! (0-1)
“In the crossbar challenge, it’s two apiece!” Said Paramount+ commentator Simon Hill as D’Agostino diverted yet another header off the bar.
In the opening eight minutes of the second half, two chances down either end rattled the woodwork in a bizarre occurrence at McDonald Jones Stadium.
49′: CHANCE! D’Agostino hits the bar (0-1)
The crossbar rattled down both ends within minutes as D’Agostino’s header off Jason Davidson’s cross hit the bar, dropping off Jordan Elsey’s head and deflecting away from danger to the good fortune of the Jets.
47′: CHANCES! Jets hit the woodwork twice in quick succession (0-1)
The Jets burst out of the blocks in the second half, with Kosta Grozos and Daniel Penha both hitting the woodwork in quicktime.
46′: SECOND HALF (0-1)
The Jets have it all to do in the second half, as they come out from the break chasing a 1-0 deficit.
HALF-TIME: JETS 0-1 VICTORY
The Jets trail at the break thanks to D’Agostino’s calm finish in the sixth minute for the visitors.
GOAL! D’Agostino gets Victory away early (0-1)
Nicholas D’Agostino continues to deliver for Victory, driving through the Jets defence to go one-on-one with Jack Duncan in Newcastle’s goal, dribbling to the right of the penalty area before burying his strike into the bottom-left corner.
1′: KICK-OFF: (0-0)
Victory get us underway at McDonald Jones Stadium!
TEAM NEWS
FULL-TIME: WESTERN UNITED 6-0 PERTH GLORY
83′: GOAL! Young gifts Wenzel-Halls simple tap-in (6-0)
It doesn’t get any easier than that.
A hopeful Western cross was met by Glory defender Jacob Young, but his touch fell directly into the path of Dylan Wenzel-Halls to supply the finish and end his four-month wait for an Isuzu UTE A-League goal.
52′: PENALTY! Prijović converts from the spot (5-0)
A shirt tug from Antonee Burke-Gilroy on Wales brought the Western forward to ground in the box. A penalty was awarded to the hosts, and again it was Prijović stepping forward to take it.
Again, Prijović went for the bottom-right corner, but this time he managed to beat Reddy’s guard and find the back of the net.
HALF-TIME: WESTERN 4-0 PERTH
That was a dominant first half from Western, who have Perth in a chokehold as the two sides head into the break.
45+3′: GOAL! Wales seals his hat-trick (4-0)
Western are walking the ball into the back of the net, with Wales securing a first-half hat-trick in stoppage time, cruising into the six-yard box to tuck home a cross off the left flank.
34′: GOAL! Pierias makes it three (3-0)
It’s unravelling quickly for Perth, with Dylan Pierias putting Western’s third into the back of the net with a simple tap-in from close range after Pain’s cross into the six-yard box.
27′: GOAL! Two in as many minutes for Wales (2-0)
Western are breezing past Perth early doors, with Wales’ sumptuous volley from Darryl Lachman’s shallow headed clearance rattling into the back of the net.
25′: GOAL! Wales gets pivotal touch on Western opener (1-0)
He didn’t know too much about it, but Lachie Wales got the final touch on a strike from Connor Pain to wrong-foot Reddy and find the opening goal.
21′: PENALTY SAVE! Reddy denies Prijović (0-0)
Referee Ben Abraham pointed to the spot after deeming Josh Rawlins handled the ball in the box, granting Western United a spot kick which Aleksandar Prijović stepped forward to dispatch.
Prijović angled his shot toward the bottom-right corner but Glory keeper Liam Reddy got down to palm the ball away with a strong left glove.
20′: CHANCE: Topor-Stanley over the bar (0-0)
Nikolai Topor-Stanley’s looping header over the bar from a corner routine was the first genuine chance of the match for the home side.
8′: Lacroix turnover sparks Perth attack (0-0)
It looked as though Perth were in on goal when Ciaran Bramwell cut off a Leo Lacroix pass across the box, only for the Swiss defender to track back and close the space for Bramwell to attack into the box.
1′: KICK-OFF (0-0)
We’re underway in Launceston, with Perth kicking off proceedings at UTAS Stadium.
