Three more Hyundai A-League sides continued their pre-season campaigns on Wednesday, with Bruno Fornaroli scoring his first Perth Glory goal in their big win.
Fornaroli scored the opening goal as Glory claimed the annual Challenge Cup over the WA State Team with a comfortable 5-1 win.
⚽️ GOAL FORNAROLI! (16') ⚽️
El Tuna opens his account! 🍐
The Uruguayan gives us the lead with an instinctive finish from close-range following Mrcela's header across goal from Kilkenny's corner.
— Perth Glory FC (@PerthGloryFC) July 31, 2019
“Bruno has been a breath of fresh air since he came in and not just in terms of his playing,” Glory boss Tony Popovic said of his star recruit.
“He has a smile on his face, he’s enjoying his football and we’re all very happy to have him at the club.
“Overall, I think we’re a little ahead in terms of the speed of our play compared to where we were at this stage last year.
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“The FFA Cup [against Western Sydney Wanderers] is a week away and that is what this game was for… we’ll be as ready as we can be, we’re confident we can get the result and we’ll give it everything.”
Fornaroli scored in the 16th minute at Frank Drago Reserve, before Calum O’Connell soon after.
But Glory eventually took control, adding further goals either side of the break through Jacob Tratt, Chris Harold, Ivan Franjic and Ethan Brooks.
Match Wrap…
Full report and reaction from tonight's win over the WA State Team: https://t.co/hfOGluByLV
A big thank you to all our members and fans who came along to the game 👏👏👏@FootballWest #OneGlory pic.twitter.com/iadSsvUNsq— Perth Glory FC (@PerthGloryFC) July 31, 2019
Jets’ fightback denies Wanderers
Newcastle Jets produced a spirited second-half comeback to snatch a 2-2 draw in a friendly with Western Sydney Wanderers on Wednesday afternoon.
The Wanderers dominated the first-half and it was a former Jet who did most of the damage, with Daniel Georgievski first setting up Bruce Kamau’s opener before scoring the second himself.
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But Newcastle responded after the break, pulling one back midway through the half through Jason Hoffman, before Angus Thurgate ensured it would end all square.
Both clubs are preparing for their FFA Cup 2019 Round of 32 clashes next Wednesday night.
The Wanderers are away against Perth Glory, while Newcastle heads to Melbourne to tackle the Victory.
We continued our solid start to the pre-season with a draw against the Jets: https://t.co/PLKz4qL9ql #WSW pic.twitter.com/yeQ0vTDj8D
— WS Wanderers FC (@wswanderersfc) July 31, 2019
Phoenix register second pre-season win
Ufuk Talay’s Wellington Phoenix made it two-from-two this pre-season with a win over local side Western Suburbs.
In a behind-closed-doors clash in difficult conditions, the Hyundai A-League outfit battled out a 2-0 victory.
Former Western Suburbs Callum McCowatt got the first goal for Wellington, before young attacker Ben Waine made the result safe.
Phoenix will play their first competitive match under Talay in the FFA Cup 2019 Round of 32 against Brisbane Strikers at Perry Park next Wednesday.
PRE-SEASON | ⚽️ Your #Nix enjoyed a 2-0 win yesterday in a closed doors friendly against @western_subs_fc in the wind and the rain.
🙌 Goals came from former Wests player, Callum McCowatt and #Nix youngster, @_waineo 💪💪#StandUpWithYourNix pic.twitter.com/DOHhY4CrzX
— Wellington Phoenix 🔥 (@WgtnPhoenixFC) July 31, 2019
