Bruno Fornaroli scored his first Perth Glory goal and first in the Hyundai A-League for almost a year in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Wellington Phoenix.
Fornaroli – who scored 48 goals across four seasons for Melbourne City – registered his first in Perth colours by stabbing the ball home from underneath the crossbar after Diego Castro’s cutback in the 11th minute.
It was the striker’s first Hyundai A-League goal in almost a year, having found the net last on Friday, November 6 2018, in a 2-0 win for City over the Phoenix.
Phoenix and All Whites goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic kept Tony Popovic’s side at bay with two stunning saves from Kim Soo-beom and Fornaroli, but could do little when Chris Ikonomidis ruthlessly finished off a Perth move brilliantly constructed by another Castro pass.
Wellington tested Glory shot stopper Liam Reddy through Jaushua Sotirio, David Ball and Ulises Davila, while Ufuk Talay sent marquee signing Gary Hooper on in the 76th minute in attempt to crack the visitors open.
But the despite the encouragement Phoenix’s second-half rally will generate – and a late, late stoppage time consolation via Davila’s spot-kick – Talay and the Kiwi faithful were left to lament another day where their final ball was left wanting.
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Key moments
Fornaroli prods Glory ahead
Wellington had dominated the opening stages but the class of Castro and killer instinct of Fornaroli helped the reigning Premiers deliver a sucker punch.
Castro drove forward down the left and squared to the Uruguayan, who took a touch and stabbed the ball past Phoenix ‘keeper Marinovic for his first goal in Perth colours.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6098196239001
Marinovic keeps Perth at bay
This from Marinovic to deny Fornaroli’s header from point blank range could very well be the save of the season.
Only minutes earlier, the New Zealand international gloveman had pulled off a superb parry from Kim Soo-beom.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6098194410001
Ikonomidis puts visitors in cruise control
Castro is turning it on in his 100th Hyundai A-League game.
The Spaniard spotted Ivan Franjic’s dart into the box with a gorgeous ball and after Phoenix failed to clear their lines, Ikonomidis buried his second of the season.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6098197058001
Davila scores consolation
It was perhaps a goal their second-half endeavour merited, but Davila’s penalty deep in to stoppage time was not enough to salvage a miracle for Talay’s men.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6098200896001
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