Fornaroli breaks record but Sky Blues down Glory In Grand Final rematch

Bruno Fornaroli set a new Hyundai A-League record but it wasn’t enough, as Perth Glory succumbed to a composed Sydney FC 3-1 on Saturday night.

Two second half goals were decisive for the Sky Blues in the Grand Final rematch as they extended Glory’s early season wobbles at home.

Sydney striker Adam Le Fondre scored early in the piece from the penalty spot, before Glory equalised on the edge of half-time through Fornaroli’s 50^th Hyundai A-League goal.

The goal saw the Uruguayan become the fastest player to ever reach the milestone (76 games) but his side could not capitalise further in the second half.

By contrast, the visitors made the most of their limited scoring chances and regained the lead through a Kosta Barbarouses strike on the hour, credited to Dino Djulbic as an own goal for the deflection the ball took on its way to the back of the net.

Milos Ninkovic then sealed the win shortly after with his second goal of the season as the Sky Blues moved to within a single point of top spot on the Hyundai A-League table.

Glory’s frustration continued late in the contest when Fornaroli saw a goal rubbed out for offside by VAR as he sought to spur a comeback for the home side.

Sydney’s fifth win from six matches so far this season continued the outstanding start to their Championship defence, while the defeat extends Glory’s worrying run of early results at home.

Key moments

Sky Blues take an early lead from the spot

Milos Ninkovic advanced into an unthreatening position in the box but won a penalty as Diego Castro pulled back on his jersey.

Adam Le Fondre stepped up for the ensuing spot kick and converted emphatically with a strong finish past Liam Reddy.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6107951142001

Glory Miss The Chance To Equalise

A strong, inside run from Joel Chianese midway through the first half briefly opened up the Sky Blues defence, allowing him to find Chris Ikonomidis in space at the top of the box.

However, the Glory attacker failed to capitalise with his first-time strike, instead pushing it wide of the far post beyond the diving Andrew Redmayne.

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Glory equalise through Fornaroli’s record breaker

Just as it looked like Sydney would hold the lead at the turn, Glory delivered the equaliser through star striker Fornaroli’s thunderous volley.

The Uruguayan posted his 50^th Hyundai A-League goal on the back of a well-weighted nod down from Joel Chianese who was picked out by Neil Kilkenny’s direct ball from inside his own half.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6107967561001

Franjic spurns opportunity to take the lead

Castro showed his renowned control and vision to find Franjic inside the penalty area shortly after the restart, but the opportunity went begging as the former Caltex Socceroo dragged his shot across the face of goal.

Barbarouses breakaway gives Sydney back the lead

After seeing off chances from the home side early in the second stanza, the Sky Blues pounced just before the hour through Kiwi international Kosta Barbarouses.

Released in behind the Glory line by a lobbed pass from Brandon O’Neill, Barbarouses controlled smartly with his head before beating Liam Reddy with a firm strike.

Barbarouses’ shot deflected off Djulbic and into the net, and went down on the scoresheet as an own goal for the Perth centre half.