An inspired performance from Danny Vukovic has helped Perth Glory hang on for a 1-1 draw with La Liga outfit Malaga FC at NIB Stadium.
The Spanish side opened the scoring in the 32nd minute through Ricardo Horta before Glory struck back through new signing Andy Keogh just before the hour mark.
But after thrashing Adelaide United 5-1 on Friday night, the visitors found it difficult to find a way past Glory custodian Danny Vukovic who produced a string of first class saves.
Perth Glory manager Kenny Lowe used the clash to hand starts to new signings Andy Keogh, Dino Djulbic, Richard Garcia, Youssouf Hersi, Mitch Nichols and Diogo Ferriera.
The Spaniards started the better of the two sides and nearly opened the scoring in the 23rd minute through Luis Alberto but the 21-year-old fired his shot straight at Danny Vukovic.
The visitors continued to press and were unlucky not to break the deadlock three minutes later when Juanmi smacked a curling effort into the post.
But their pressure eventually told in the 32nd minute after the Glory afforded Ricardo Horta too much space on the edge of the box with the Portuguese star thrashing the ball past a helpless Danny Vukovic.
Malaga continued to press the hosts late in the first half and nearly doubled their lead in stoppage time when Roque Santa Cruz raced clear but Vukovic stood tall to deny the former Manchester City striker.
The Spanish outfit made wholesale changes at half time and the Glory took advantage as they started the second half the stronger of the two teams.
New signing Andy Keogh put the Glory back on level terms in the 57th minute with a clinical finish after some good build up play from youngster Brandon O’Neill.
The game opened up in the latter stages of the second half with Malaga forcing Vukovic into a string of saves but Perth managed to keep the La Liga side at bay.
Perth Glory: GK Danny VUKOVIC (c), 2 Jack CLISBY (23 Michael THWAITE 46’), 6 Dino DJULBIC, 7 Youssouf HERSI (10 Nebosja MARINKOVIC 46’), 9 Andy KEOGH (15 Jamie MACLAREN 75’), 11 Richard GARCIA, 13 Diogo FERRIERA (20 Daniel DE SILVA 75’), 16 Sidnei SCIOLA (14 Chris HAROLD 75’), 17 Mitch NICHOLAS (3 Brandon O’NEILL 46’), 19 Josh RISDON, 21 Scott JAMIESON (25 Riley WOODCOCK 64’)
Subs not Used: RGK Jack DUNCAN
Málaga CF: First Half – GK Carlos KAMENI, 3 WELIGTON (c), 5 Vitorino ANTUNES, 6 Ignacio CAMACHO, 9 Roque SANTA CRUZ, 11 Pablo PEREZ, 15 Marcos ANGELERI, 19 Ricardo HORTA, 23 Luis ALBERTO, 24 Roberto ROSALES, 28 JUANMI
Málaga CF: Second Half – GK COUSILLAS, 2 Jesus GAMEZ, 7 JUANMI, 14 RECIO, 15 ANGELERI, 16 Ezequiel RESCALDANI, 17 DUDA, 18 Sergi DARDER, 20 Jose Manuel CASADO, 21 Sergio SANCHEZ, 26 Samu CASTILLEJO
