Tony Popovic praised the character of his Perth Glory side after the Hyundai A-League leaders’ remarkable 4-3 comeback win over Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday night.
Popovic’s side scored four goals in the space of sixteen minutes to stun his former employers and maintain their six-point lead at the Hyundai A-League summit.
It’s the second time in a week Glory have staged a four-goal second half comeback of this ilk, and the 45-year-old says it is upon performances and responses like this which silverware is won.
“If we want to have a chance to win things, these are the games we’ve got to win. We found a win today and we won by dominating,” he said.
“[It was] a crazy type of game, we created an amazing opportunity in the first couple of minutes.
“Then they had a lot of attempts on goal and we defended very poorly today. It’s no real surprise we struggled at times.
“But what’s that they say about character? I’m delighted for everyone involved, the players, the fans, it’s a day I’m sure we’ll all remember.
“If we want to have a chance to win things, these are the games we’ve got to win. We found a win today and we won by dominating.”
Sunday evening’s clash with the Wanderers was Glory’s third match in a week, and Popovic – who has been no stranger to frequent squad rotation during his managerial career – wrought six changes for the visit of Markus Babbel’s side.
Having made five alterations for the 3-1 defeat of Sydney FC a few days earlier, it appears the depths of Perth’s squad will be explored over the busy January period that is to come.
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But according to the AFC Champions League-winning coach, Glory are only going to get better as the season progresses.
“This is a strong group and a fit group. I still think we can be fitter but that will grow and that will get better. It’s not easy to open up and play the way we want when we want to.
“We’ve found three games in seven days tough but we’ve found a way to win and we’re scoring goals consistently.
“We found a way to comeback from 3-1. On other days it will be that our defence sees us through to 3 points. That’s what a team is – not everyone is perfect every week.”
