Perth Glory’s Tasmanian adventure came to an end on Sunday, with both of their teams losing at UTAS Stadium.
Finals-chasing Glory lost to table-topping Sydney FC in the Liberty A-League before Western United accounted for Perth in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
KEEPUP followed along LIVE to bring you all the latest goals, highlights, up to date scores and biggest talking points from two A-Leagues fixtures on Sunday.
RESULTS
- Liberty A-League: Perth Glory 1-3 Sydney FC
MATCH REPORT: SYDNEY FC ON BRINK OF ALW PREMIERSHIP
- Isuzu UTE A-League: Perth Glory 0-2 Western United
MATCH REPORT: WESTERN RETURN TO SUMMIT
ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE: PERTH GLORY 0-2 WESTERN UNITED
REACTION
‘We’re the best team in the A-League’
After producing a man-of-the-match performance for Western United, Dylan Pierias made his feelings known.
Pierias sealed a 2-0 win for Western after Aleksandar Prijovic opened the scoring against Perth Glory in Launceston on Sunday.
Western are now back above defending champions Melbourne City, albeit by one point and with a game in hand in the A-League Men competition.
Pierias made it clear how he felt about a Western team unbeaten in seven matches and riding a three-game winning streak under John Aloisi.
“They’re right on our heels,” Pierias said of City when asked by Paramount+.
“Obviously they’re a great team but this year we’re starting to show that I think we’re the best team in the A-League.
“We’re the team to beat at the moment.”
Aloisi replaced Mark Rudan for the 2021-22 season and the former Brisbane Roar boss and brought defensive solidity to Western – only Perth have conceded less than their 11, though the Glory have played three matches less.
“Foxy [assistant Hayden Foxe] and John really drilled that into us, that communication is key,” Pierias said.
“Keeping us good as unit. The boys we have are one of the best bunch of boys I’ve been involved with ever.
“The moral is just so good. When we’re on the field, it’s just one working team, one voice out there.”
Full-time: Western leapfrog City into top spot
The Western United train continues to gather steam after adding Perth Glory to their list of scalps.
Solid defensively, Western recorded a 2-0 win to not only return to the summit but extend their unbeaten streak to seven matches, including three wins on the bounce.
The result left Perth, who are set to return to Western United, seven points outside the top six, though they have four games in hand on Sydney FC.
Hand of Risdon? Western star lucky to stay on the field
Western’s Josh Risdon did his best Diego Maradona impression.
However, Ridson was lucky to have remained on the field having already been on a yellow card.
Aloisi, wisely, turned to his bench and withdrew the Socceroo shortly after.
Young keeps his clean sheet intact
Adam Zimarino went close to netting his first goal of the ALM campaign.
With 13 minutes remaining, Zimarino side-footed a shot on target and he would’ve surely felt it was goal-bound but Western goalkeeper Jamie Young produced a fantastic save to keep the Glory out.
Plenty of green and noise in Tassie
Western United fans in attendance are making their voices heard at UTAS Stadium.
56′ Goal 2-0: Pierias joins the fun
Pierias was a threat in the opening half and he turned that into a goal 11 minutes into the second period.
Neil Kilkenny was at the heart of Western’s second goal, playing a delightful ball to release Steven Lustica on the flank and the latter delivers the assist for Pierias’ goal approaching the hour-mark.
As things stand, Western are returning to the summit.
Half-time: Western in the box seat
Is another 1-0 win on the cards? Whatever the score, Aloisi and Western will take it.
Perth started brightly but were unable to find the back of the net as Prijovic made the most of his opportunity during the closing stages of the half.
Western also went close to doubling the lead but Reddy ensured the Glory went into the sheds only 1-0 down.
37′ Goal 1-0: Prijovic at it again
Aleksandar Prijovic is starting to find his feet in the A-Leagues and it’s a daunting prospect for rival clubs.
The former Serbia international bagged his fifth goal in the competition as he put Western ahead eight minutes before half-time in Tassie.
Some neat footwork from Nikolai Topor-Stanley tees up Prijovic, who shows his quality with a cool finish into the bottom corner of the net.
Reddy thwarts Pierias and Western
Western have made an encouraging start to the game at UTAS Stadium, Dylan Pierias and Co. taking the match to the Glory.
Again without injured star Alessandro Diamanti, Pierias has helped set the tone in the attacking third and he went close to breaking the deadlock in the 11th minute.
After springing the offside trap, the pacey Pierias charged through on goal but Liam Reddy was up to the task to keep his shot out.
Western to extend record unbeaten run?
- Western have lost only one of their five A-League Men matches against Perth (W3, D1), a 3-0 defeat in May 2021; that loss is the only time they have not kept a first-half clean sheet on the day against the Glory.
- Four of Perth’s last five A-League Men matches against Victorian opposition outside Western Australia have seen a scoreless first half on the day; the Glory have gone on to win two of those games (L3).
- Western are undefeated in their last six matches (W4, D2), their longest unbeaten run in club history; manager Aloisi has won three of his last four games as coach against the Glory in the competition (L1).
- The Glory have scored 33% of their goals from outside the box in the 2021-22 A-League Men season (3/9), the highest rate of any team in the competition and 20 percentage points higher than Western (13%).
- Western have had five shots blocked per game in the 2021-22 A-League Men season, more than any other team in the competition; Perth (2) have had the fewest per game in this category.
- Only Western Sydney Wanderers (45%) has a lower success rate on aerial duels contested this A-League Men season than Perth (46%) and Western (46%).
- Perth trio Liam Reddy (89%), Cameron Cook (82%) and Bradley Jones (82%) have the best save percentages of any goalkeepers to have made at least two appearances in the 2021-22 A-League Men season.
Western eyeing ALM summit
John Aloisi’s Western United have the chance to return to the top of the table with victory over Perth at UTAS Stadium.
Western notched an A-League Men’s record after their 1-0 win over Sydney FC, with seven 1-0 victories the most any side have managed in a single season in the competition’s history, and with star Perth recruit Daniel Sturridge injured once again, the visitors will be confident in their ability to keep another clean sheet.
Former Inter midfielder Rene Krhin comes in for his first A-Leagues start.
Perth, who are set to return to WA, can close the gap on the top six on Sunday.
LIBERTY A-LEAGUE: PERTH GLORY 1-3 SYDNEY FC
REACTION
Vine injury? Sydney star coy on fitness
Sydney fans were left sweating after two-goal hero Vine exited the field with an apparent injury.
As the Sky Blues eye the championship, everyone involved with Sydney will be hoping it’s nothing major.
For the time being, the Australia international isn’t giving anything away regarding the severity of the problem.
“It is a bit sore. Not too sure what’s going on,” Vine said when asked post-game. “I got kicked in the leg. Bit of nerve stuff going on. Not too sure where I’m at with that at the moment.”
On the match itself, which Sydney dominated as they made it three consecutive victories over Perth – their best run of form against the Glory since 2009-12, Vine added: “It was a really important game.
“We came out there and showed everyone what we could do and why we’re at the top. I’m really proud of the girls.”
‘A level of negligence’ – Gill unhappy with Whyman incident
Concussion and protocols around head injuries were firmly back in the spotlight after a nasty collision involving star Sydney goalkeeper Whyman.
Whyman was face down and motionless on the turf, having taken a blow to the face late in the game.
Keane was chasing down a ball just out the six-yard box, with her trailing leg striking Whyman in the face.
After a lengthy delay, Whyman continued and landed heavily in another nervy moment as she leapt to collect a cross.
As Network 10 host Tara Rushton questioned the decision to allow Whyman to continue, analyst Grace Gill said: “For me, player welfare at the 91st-minute in the game, you have a two-goal buffer. That’s a really heavy clash. I would’ve love to see Jada Whyman go off and see the game out on the bench.
“She looked a little bit groggy and obviously copped a really severe knock to the face and looked uncomfortable.
“There’s a level of negligence in that decision. I would’ve liked to see her take the bench.”
Full-time: One hand on the premiership trophy?
The Sky Blues made their dominance count with a convincing win on their trip to Tasmania.
Sydney are now five points clear atop the table and while Melbourne City have a game in hand, the Skye Blues are in the box seat.
Heart-in-mouth moment as players collide
With time running out in stoppage time, Keane chases down a loose ball inside the box but as the enthusiastic Glory player tries to get a boot to it, her trailing foot catches Whyman in the face.
Both players are left face down and motionless on the floor in a worrying moment.
Fortunately, both players eventually get to their feet, with Keane receiving a yellow card.
86′ Goal 3-1: A first A-Leagues goal for Keane
A beautiful moment here as Aideen Keane caps a fine team move with a lovely goal four minutes from the end in Launceston.
The 20-year-old comes off the bench and finds the back of the net and she celebrates passionately.
A memorable moment for Keane but a goal that could have repercussions come finals.
60′ Goal 3-0: Raining goals in Tassie
Sydney have put the game beyond reach thanks to Vine’s quick-fire double.
Not happy with one, Vine took her season tally to six goals after running into the six-yard box unchallenged and latching onto Princess Ibini’s pass.
Vine makes it look too easy.
No way past Whyman!
In need of a response and goal, Mie Leth Jans went about trying to bring Glory into the contest approaching the hour-mark.
The Danish midfielder unleashed a long-range shot, forcing record-breaking Sydney goalkeeper Jada Whyman into a diving save.
52′ Goal 2-0: Vine beauty stings Glory
Talk about a dagger through the heart, just as Perth grow in confidence, Sydney go up the other end and double their lead.
Amid a downpour nine minutes into the second half, it’s Vine time – the Sky Blues star bursts through into a one-on-one situation inside the penalty area and coolly scoops the ball over Glory keeper Courtney Newbon.
Glory emerged with renewed purpose
The rain is falling harder but the tempo has intensified as Perth push forward in search of an equaliser.
With Lisa De Vanna introduced off the bench, her presence made an early difference for the trailing Glory.
But will it lead to a goal?
Half-time: Forget the stats, Sky Blues in control
If you looked at the stats, you’d think Perth are unlucky to trail at the interval.
More shots on target and six attempts overall, but don’t let the numbers fool you. Sydney have dictated proceedings from the outset.
While the Glory grew into the contest (slowly), it’s been Sydney’s half.
34′ Goal 1-0: Captain Tobin gives Sydney the lead
A moment of brilliance from Sky Blues captain Natalie Tobin finally breaches Perth’s defence after a dominant half.
Tobin the unlikely scorer for Sydney, finding the back of the net for the first time since February 2021 thanks to a well-taken volley from a corner.
A goal that has Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory smiling in the battle for the top four.
Sydney to turn dominance into goals?
After the heavens opened up and rain fell, Sydney have controlled proceedings against Perth.
It’s been one-way traffic in an attack sense but the Sky Blues, up until this point, have been unable to break the deadlock through 18 minutes.
All set for kick-off
Sydney to equal their own record?
- Sydney have won four of their last five A-League Women games against Perth (L1), including their last two on the bounce in which they’ve outscored the Glory 10-2; the last and only time the Sky Blues won more in succession against the Glory was a five-game stretch from November 2009 to January 2012 across which they scored 26 goals.
- Sydney will be looking to avoid back-to-back defeats in the A-League Women for the first time since February 2020 after losing to Melbourne City 2-1 in their last game in the competition (20 February 2022).
- Perth have scored three go-ahead goals in the final 10 minutes of games in the 2021-22 A-League Women season, more than any other team in the competition; Sydney (0) have not done so once this campaign.
- Sydney have made 40 entries per game into the penalty area this A-League Women season, the most of any team in the competition and nearly twice as many as Perth (23), who have made the second fewest (Wellington Phoenix – 22).
- Cyera Hintzen (Perth) has scored three goals in the 2021-22 A-League Women when her team has been trailing at the time, the joint-most of any player in the competition.
Plenty to play for if you’re Perth or Sydney
Perth can keep their fairytale run to the finals alive with a win over the wobbling Sydney, and you can watch it all live either via Paramount+ or Channel 10 Bold.
With Adelaide United securing their long-awaited finals berth, the fifth-placed Glory are vying with Melbourne Victory for a spot in the top four.
Sydney have a chance to boost their premiership hopes after rivals Melbourne City were stunned by Brisbane Roar.
