Western Sydney Wanderers have kicked off their post Tony Popovic era by holding on for a 2-1 win over Perth Glory to conclude Round 1 of the Hyundai A-League.
Wanderers caretaker coach Hayden Foxe has now engineered the club’s first ever opening round win after the bombshell that Popovic was leaving to join a club in the Turkish Super League last week.
STORY OF THE GAME
- An even first half was turned on its head minutes before the break with two beautiful goals to the home side.
- Perth Glory had some excellent chances in the final 25 minutes with Adam Taggart hitting the post then the bar in the space of a few minutes.
- It was a nervy end to the game for the Red and Black after Hamill’s own goal in the final ten minutes gave Perth a sniff.
- For Wanderers, Roly Bonevacia and Alvaro Cejudo caught the eye. For Perth, Diego Castro and Shane Lowry stood out.
GOALS
Oriol Riera, Wanderers 42’: 1-0
The Spaniards combined beautifully. Alvaro Cejudo with the slide rule pass into the box for Riera to run onto and slip past Liam Reddy’s left glove.
Jumpei Kusukami, Wanderers 46’: 2-0
A classic counter-attack goal. Baccus picked up possession just inside his half playing the ball wide for the on-running Brendan Hamill. He powered forward, slipped a through ball into the box for the pint-size Japanese to slide home in the shadows of half-time.
Brendan Hamill (OG), Glory 81’: 2-1
Andy Keogh got on the end of Joe Knowles’ cross and his header was guided into his own net by the Wanderers right sided defender Hamill.
