It was hot and it was feisty as Perth Glory and Newcastle Jets played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in the Isuzu UTE A-League on Saturday night.
It was a tense clash at Macedonia Park, where Glory came unstuck in the 88th minute after substitute Archie Goodwin equalised for the Jets.
Hosts Perth led twice, but on both occasions they were pegged back by the Jets.
First Glory goals for Luke Bodnar and Mark Beevers had Perth ahead in between Reno Piscopo’s stunner before Goodwin came off the bench to earn a point.
Despite a share of the spoils, the seventh-placed Glory are nine games unbeaten at home and seven at Macedonia Park.
“Proud of the guys for their effort. It was an interesting game tactically,” Glory head coach Ruben Zadkovich told Paramount+. “I don’t think we were at our best but I thought, in the first half, we did enough to put the game to bed.
“The disappointing thing is if you don’t take those chances and put the game to bed, they’re always a chance.
“… our players are disappointed they didn’t win in front of our fans, but we remain undefeated here.”
There was plenty of niggle, and push and shove, in the Round 15 showdown in Western Australia.
It’s exactly how Zadkovich wanted it on home soil.
“We try to make every game that way. We are a team that’s building nicely. There’s certainly a lot of areas to improve,” he said.
“Being on the front foot at home is something I’m very big on. We want our fans to feel like they’re in the game. I thought tonight we did that.”
The visiting Jets – who are now four games unbeaten – twice came from behind to thwart the Glory.
Jets goalkeeper Jack Duncan even saved a penalty in the opening half.
“End to end. Both teams throwing a lot of bunches,” Newcastle boss Arthur Papas reflected.
“We had to ride a bit of luck. Come back from behind twice. Tremendous character to come here.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the boys.”
SATURDAY NIGHT AGENDA
Sydney FC 3-2 Central Coast Mariners
Venue: Allianz Stadium
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Melbourne City 6-1 Macarthur FC
Venue: AAMI Park
MATCH REPORT: VAN DER VENNE COMPLETES HAT-TRICK WITH GOLAZO AS CITY HIT BULLS FOR SIX
Adelaide United 2-1 Brisbane Roar
Venue: Coopers Stadium
MATCH REPORT: IRANKUNDA’S INCREDIBLE INTERVIEW SHOWS WHY THE ADELAIDE TEENAGER IS SO SPECIAL
