Late D’Agostino strike salvages Glory a point against Victory

A late header from Nick D’Agostino on his Perth Glory starting debut ensured his side nicked a point from Melbourne Victory in an entertaining 2-2 draw at HBF Park on Saturday night.

Victory looked set to walk away with all three points thanks to two clinical finishes from Ola Toivonen and Andrew Nabbout either side of Bruno Fornaroli’s goal for the hosts, but D’Agostino made sure he had the final say in the see-sawing affair as Glory extended their unbeaten run to eight games.

The visitors settled into the contest well early doors, going close to scoring the opener when Elvis Kamsoba darted down the left flank and struck a low shot toward Liam Reddy who got down low to keep the shot out.

But there was nothing Reddy could do about Victory’s next attack when Nabbout dribbled into the box and laid a pass into Toivonen, who struck a first-time curling attempt across goal which Reddy tipped on its way into the top left corner.

The hosts were in search of inspiration and almost found it through an acrobatic scissor kick attempt from Bruno Fornaroli; he latched onto a ball into the box from Ivan Franjic to strike his effort toward goal which hit the post and diverted away to safety.

But with the clock ticking into added time the Uruguayan popped up once more, slaloming toward the tip of the box to earn his side a free kick which he placed, dispatched and buried low into the bottom right corner to send both teams into the sheds level.

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The second half began as a tug-of-war in which Glory enjoyed the bulk of the chances until Victory shocked the hosts once more, regaining the lead through Nabbout.

Melbourne’s number nine received the ball on a quick counter attack, cutting inside of Alex Grant and curling a shot along the deck which sailed smoothly into the bottom right corner.

The visitors were eager to keep up the pressure and Toivonen almost scored a carbon copy of his first strike with 70 minutes on the clock but this time Reddy was alert to the danger, diving to his right to tip Toivonen’s curling attempt wide of the post.

As the game drew to a close it seemed Perth were set to fall to their first loss in eight games but D’Agostino wasn’t prepared for that to happen; the Australia U-23’s star popped up at the death at the back post to head home a thunderous equaliser to deny Victory all three points.

In a frantic finish D’Agostino launched himself at two similar headed chances in stoppage time – both provided by Franjic – but headed both over the bar, ensuring the score stayed at 2-2 as the entertaining affair came to a close.

Key Moments

Toivonen strikes Victory into unlikely lead

They started out the better side and Victory ultimately made the Premiers pay when their captain Toivonen stepped up to score a delightful curled attempt with 22 minutes on the clock.

Migjen Basha played Nabbout down the line and the Australian attacker cut into the box where he found the Swede waiting to tuck home the opening goal of the game in some style.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6128856853001

Fornaroli takes aim with acrobatic scissor kick

Perth were in search of an equaliser and they almost got one in the most remarkable fashion.

Franjic floated a cross into the box which sat perfectly for Fornaroli to turn and attack with an overhead kick which flew off his boot and directly into the upright, only just failing to nestle into the back of the net.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6128852602001

Bruno scores a well-deserved goal

He fought hard to inspire his side and with the seconds ticking away in the first half Fornaroli finally got his reward for effort.

After winning a free kick on the edge of the box Fornaroli took the ensuing free kick himself, curling one over Nabbout and past Thomas into the back of the net.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6128857586001

Nabbout rolls Victory back in front

Grant had kept Nabbout onside as Victory caught Glory’s defence unaware with a quick counter attack, and it was an opportunity Nabbout was not about to let slip.

Collecting the ball in his offensive half Nabbout cut inside of Grant, and with Gregory Wütrich closing him down he rolled a delightful curling attempt around Reddy and into the bottom corner to put Victory 2-1 ahead.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6128862251001

D’Agostino pops up late to snatch a point

It looked like Victory were set for the unlikeliest of wins before Glory youngster D’Agostino announced himself to his home crowd on his first start in Purple and Orange.

Franjic floated a ball to the back post and D’Agostino showed tremendous athleticism to rise high over Brandon Lauton to hammer a header into the back of the net, stitching the score up at two goals apiece.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6128864502001

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