Perth defender Naum Sekulovski has described his stunning free kick goal for the Glory in their big win over Newcastle as a homage to legendary Qantas Socceroo Johnny Warren.
Although Warren passed away just over five years ago from lung cancer, his spirit lived on in the Glory’s big Boxing Day win as Sekulovski produced a Warren-style free-kick with the outside of his right boot to open the scoring for Perth during the first half.
Although not known for his goal scoring, opponents are well aware of Sekulovski’s effective deadball delivery and his free kick from 25 metres out against the Jets was an absolute pearler, a powerful effort that skidded low through Newcastle’s defence into the back of Ben Kennedy’s net.
It was just the goal the Glory needed after a dismal period this season which saw them win just one of nine games since Round 10. Through that time, the big-name Perth side had appeared capable of producing a big performance, but just hadn’t really clicked as it missed targets and conceded silly defensive errors.
But Sekulovski’s Warren-style effort literally opened the floodgates for Perth as goals to Jamie Harnwell and Mile Sterjovski saw it score three before half-time, Glory veteran Harnwell adding the fourth after the break for some extra polish.
“I think we’ve had that (type of performance) in the bag all year,” Sekulovski said as he prepares to take on table-topping Sydney this weekend.
“We just haven’t been able to execute.”
“I think that was probably the difference against Newcastle, our execution was great and I think our all-round footy, you know defensively in the midfield and offensively we were fantastic.”
“The goal was fantastic, but for us I think, obviously going that long without a win and then getting a massive win in front of a home crowd was sensational.”
“We got good support on Boxing Day, I think the boys played really well through the whole game. I think that’s the main thing. Obviously scoring a goal was a great bonus but ultimately the three points at the end of the day is what mattered most.”
Originally from Melbourne, 27-year-old Sekulovski is the first cousin of injured Victory star Billy Celeski.
Like many of his contemporaries, he’s been forced to move through several clubs as the old National Soccer League was disbanded, before finding his home with the Glory as one of the club’s foundation players in the new competition.
With a solid defence consisting of Andy Todd and Chris Coyne now behind him this season, Sekulovski has often been seen using his deceptive speed to produce attacking opportunities, safe in the knowledge there’s cover at the back to support him.
But regardless of the situation or how badly the Glory have been going in what’s been a rollercoaster Hyundai A-League history for the former NSL powerhouse, the laconic Sekulovski has been there behind the scenes making sure morale remains high.
And, he said that ability served him well in the period leading up to Perth’s big Boxing Day win.
“I always try and come to training with a smile on my face or for a game and I just think it’s my nature to try and make the people around me happy and try and make it a happy and a good working environment,” he said.
“I don’t think the morale ever dropped too much,” he added, referring to the barren patch before Boxing Day, which saw the club drop from top-of-the-table contention to outside the top six.
“I think it’s just a matter of a bit of pressure building up over time and you know pressure’s a funny thing, it can play on your mind but the best way to get out of pressure is a good performance.”
“I think we had that versus Newcastle and we can look forward now and kick on against the top-of-the-table Sydney.”
