A sensational strike from Football Fern Grace Jale on her club debut put the finishing touch on Perth Glory’s 2-0 win over Western United at Macedonia Park on Saturday night.
Glory were posed a stern Round 1 test with last season’s Grand Finalists Western coming to town, but second-half goals to Susan Phonsongkham and Jale – to go with some superb goalkeeping from Morgan Aquino – helped Alex Epakis’ side to an impressive opening-round victory in Perth.
It was Aquino’s fine glovework in the first half that ensured the score remained level at the break; Adriana Taranto’s 28th-minute header off a cross from Tyla-Jay Vlajnic was destined for the bottom-left corner before Aquino scrambled across to poke the ball around the post.
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Glory began the second half with a bang when Phonsongkham curled a left-footed strike into back of the net to break the deadlock and give the hosts a one-goal lead. Western went close to a response just beyond the hour mark when Vlajnic whipped a free-kick from range off the underside off the crossbar.
The game was well and truly in the balance as the clock ticked past 75 minutes, before Jale took centre stage with a lethal strike into the roof of the net, leaving Alyssa Dall’Oste no chance of a save as Glory’s lead was doubled.
Jale had a chance to score again soon after, but Dall’Oste denied the New Zealand international a brace. Ultimately, the two-goal buffer was all Glory needed as the hosts navigated through five minutes of added time to keep their clean sheet intact and claim all three points at Macedonia Park.
The talking point
Western United made a significant off-season splash by recruiting Canberra United star Grace Maher – and on Saturday night, there was a first sight of the versatile midfielder slotting into the heart of her new side’s defence.
When Maher was signed by the club, Western boss Mark Torcaso identified the 24-year-old’s ability to play out of defence as a “huge asset.”
If you’ve watched Maher over her years in Canberra, you’d be accustomed to seeing her bossing the centre of the park, getting forward to create opportunities and score goals in a comprehensive midfield role. But from the moment Maher was revealed as a new Western player, the club had made it clear that Maher would join their list of “talented young centre-backs.”
It certainly is a different role for a player who scored four goals and registered three assists as one of the league’s best creators last season.
The star
Grace Jale took her time to make her mark on Saturday night – but when her time came, she did it in style. The Football Fern went to the 2023 Women’s World Cup with New Zealand before signed for Perth from Canberra United; the key recruit has quickly settled in to her new life in Western Australia, with her Round 1 scorcher sealing a vital three points for Glory.
What they said
Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis heaped praise on goalscorer Susan Phonsongkham in his press conference.
“During the off-season, she worked significantly hard to make sure she came into pre-season at the best level I’ve ever seen her,” he told reporters.
“I’ve coached Susan or seen Susan for the last 7-8 years as a player and this is the best I’ve ever seen her, mentally and physically.
“Today was a really just reward for the effort she’s put in. That goal was top class and it came at such an important time for us.
“I’m backing her to kick on and have a really stand-out season.”
What it means
It’s a perfect start to the season for Perth, and with another home game right around the corner, the opportunity presents to turn Macedonia Park into a fortress early doors. Next up comes a clash against the Jets, who will head out West with momentum after an F3 Derby win over Central Coast in Round 1.
For Western, it’s back home to face Melbourne Victory in Round 2; Mark Torcaso’s side burst out of the blocks last season, winning their first seven games in an incredible start to life in the Liberty A-League. Saturday’s result sets Western off on a different path to begin their second season in the league; a local derby off the back of an opening-round defeat will be a test of Western’s mettle – and one they will undoubtedly relish.
