Central Coast Mariners have pulled off the biggest upset of the Hyundai A-League season so far, overcoming defending premiers Perth Glory 2-1 at HBF Park on Sunday.
The Mariners had won just once in their last 14 away games before heading west but were excellent value for their first victory of the 2019/20 campaign.
On his first Hyundai A-League start, young gun Samuel Silvera scored what turned out to be the winner with a fine strike just before the break.
Former Glory playmaker Daniel De Silva had earlier given the visitors the lead early on, but were pegged back soon after through wing-back Ivan Franjic.
Alen Stajcic’s side were then forced to defend for their lives as Glory pushed hard for an equaliser late on.
But the Mariners held on for a morale-boosting – and well deserved – win that catapults them into the top six.
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Key moments
Duric rattles the woodwork with a piledriver
Milan Duric has shown a real ability to strike from distance and he was horribly unlucky not to open the scoring inside eight minutes.
From a free-kick, the ball was played short to Duric about 30 metres from goal and the Serbian hit a rocket that had Liam Reddy beaten but not the post.
Danny De Silva had a chance to finish off the rebound but the ball got caught under his feet allowing Glory to escape.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6100083498001
De Silva makes amends for earlier miss
The Mariners got their reward for their early dominance as Daniel De Silva struck against his former club on 17 minutes.
Jack Clisby got free down the left with his cutback met first time be De Silva at the top of the box.
The playmaker produced an assured low finish which arrowed into the bottom corner.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6100082119001
Franjic makes Mariners pay for earlier misses
Just a minute after Daniel De Silva had the chance to double the Mariners lead at one end, Ivan Franjic goes up the other and makes it 1-1.
Diego Castro got to the byline and cut the ball back for Juande whose powerful strike could only be parried away by Mark Birighitti.
But the ball fell to Franjic and he fired low through the legs of the keeper and just inside the near post.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6100083743001
Individual brilliance from Silvera puts Mariners in the lead
Sam Silvera showed great strength to dispossess Jacob Tratt of possession just outside the Glory box.
Despite being at a difficult angle on the left of the box, the youngster produced a pin-point finish into the far bottom corner for his first Hyundai A-League goal.
The stunning strike came just a minute before the break ensuring the Mariners held a slender lead as the teams went to the sheds.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6100086036001
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