Glory 1-3 Western United: Ibusuki scores two in Western comeback

Western United striker Hiroshi Ibusuki scored a second-half brace to inspire his side to a come-from-behind 3-1 win over Perth Glory in the first game of Unite Round.

Glory led through Trent Ostler’s first goal since March, 2023 but after taking the lead in an Isuzu UTE A-League game for the first time this season, Perth came unstuck thanks to a second-half blitz from Western – inspired by 17-year-old Dylan Leonard’s equalising goal and two goals to Ibusuki at Allianz Stadium.

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At 17 years and 192 days, Leonard became Western’s youngest-ever goalscorer when he drew his side level at 1-1, eclipsing the record previously held by Oliver Lavale at 19 years and 16 days.

Leonard’s equaliser paved the way for Ibusuki to decide the contest with two well-taken goals in the space of 11 minutes. The Japanese striker took advantage of the defensive frailty that has plagued Glory’s early-season slump in a match-winning display in Unite Round.

After his history-making strike for Western, Leonard’s dream afternoon at Allianz Stadium was soured by his 90th-minute red card, earned for a drag-back on Cristian Caicedo who was tearing toward goal in a late goalscoring opportunity for the Glory.

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The first half finished goalless but Western should have taken a 1-0 lead into half-time when Noah Botic struck the crossbar twice in quick succession. The first attempt was a good one, volleyed off Tate Russell’s delivery from the right wing but Glory keeper Cameron Cook’s save diverted the ball off the woodwork and back into Botic’s path.

The young Western striker’s second opportunity however was a big chance squandered, headed off the crossbar from close range in what will undoubtedly go down as one of the misses of the season.

“Gee-whiz, haven’t Perth dodged a bullet there?” Said Network 10 co-commentator Phil Moss after Botic’s chance went begging.

“That’s harder to miss than it is to score from Noah Botic. Great delivery from Tate Russell – that’s a really good volley, Cameron Cook does just enough to get it onto the woodwork and Noah Botic should’ve buried that.”

Seven minutes into the second half, Glory took the lead when Adam Taggart found Trent Ostler to finish off a rapid counter attack – but after taking the lead in a game for the first time this season, Perth’s joy was to be short-lived.

Western drew level on the hour mark when 17-year-old Dylan Leanord swept home his first-ever Isuzu UTE A-League goal; the teenager became the youngest goalscorer in club history with the equaliser at Allianz Stadium.

Five minutes later Western had the lead and it was Hiroshi Ibusuki who completed the turnaround. Glory centre-back Luis Canga failed to deal with a high ball into Western’s attacking half which invited Botic to take possession and pick out Ibusuki for a composed finish into the bottom-left corner.

At the 75-minute mark, Ibusuki secured his brace to put Western out of sight and it was far too easy for the Japanese striker to double his tally. Having taken possession in the box, a faked attempt on goal took three Glory players out of the equation as he opened up the space to bury the ball into the back of the net, beating Cook at his near post.

Leonard was just minutes away from finishing the game on a high but on the cusp of stoppage time, the Western teen was sent off after taking Glory substitute Caicedo down as the last defender.