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State Leagues  

Stalemate in Perth as Berisha sees red

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Besart Berisha once again played the villain role in a game between Perth Glory and Brisbane Roar as he was sent off after just half an hour in Friday night’s 0-0 draw.

The Albanian was dismissed for the first time in his Hyundai A-League career for two bookable offences, the first of which occurred inside 30 seconds, and it provoked arguably the biggest cheer heard at nib Stadium this season.

After the game, Roar boss Mike Mulvey refused to be drawn on whether referee Kris Griffiths-Jones had made the correct call.

“Look, the referee’s got a job to do and I’m not in the habit of talking about referee’s decisions,” he said.

“It’s part and parcel of the game and there’s other people that can take care of that.”

Mulvey preferred to focus on his team’s performance as they kept another clean sheet, their sixth of the season, in a contest that lacked many clear cut chances at either end.

Henrique had the best opportunity for the visitors but shot wide when through on goal while at the other end, Micheal Theo was equal to a long-range drive from Sidnei Sciola Moraes.

“We were wonderful in the second half and I think we were for 60 minutes with 10 players,” said Mulvey of his team's efforts.

“I’m not sure how many chances Perth had, somebody told me it was one shot, but we went for the three points in the second half.

“We didn’t quite get the finish we wanted but we certainly got the performance.”

Mulvey stressed that even with 10 men, his philosophy is always to go out and win the game and he also talked up Thomas Broich's role in the performance.

“You saw what kind of man Thomas is tonight,” he said.

“He got out there, he was in pain, passed a fitness test today and his performance vindicated the optimism that we had that he could play, but also showed the whole of Australia the quality that he possesses.”

The German picked up a slight knock around the 80-minute mark on the same part of his leg that was injured against Adelaide United last week but Mulvey expects him to be ok for next week.

Glory interim coach Kenny Lowe was satisfied with the result and believes that the fact  his players were disappointed not to win against the league leaders shows how far they’ve come recently.

“I think they were better with 10, I’d have preferred to play against 11,” he said.

“We had a game plan and at 11v11, everyone was executing all their roles, responsibilities and jobs.

“It went to a 10 and it just threw a little spanner in the works; they tweaked their system a little bit and people didn’t quite know where to go, what to do.”

William Gallas, who came into the side for Jack Clisby, was substituted at half time as a precaution as he eases himself back into the team after a seven-week absence.

“I think his biggest problem was whether his cigar went out or not,” joked Lowe.

“It [Gallas’ performance] was quality. I was coming in at half time going ‘Can we get 90 out of him?’ but we’ve got a duty of care; I think he was a bit apprehensive in his own mind going into the game as well.

“I think the wonderful thing is he did ever so well, he’s played 45 [minutes], mentally he’ll be in a good space with the fact he’s not just got through it but got through it with absolute quality.”

Lowe admitted his side have had a bit of luck over the last few weeks but is delighted to have kept four clean sheets in the last five games.

“Can’t believe it, they’re crap in training, honestly!” he laughed, before praising his young defenders who have been the cornerstone of a resolute unit.

Glory are on the road next week against Western Sydney Wanderers, then return to nib Stadium on the last day of the month to face Melbourne Victory.

In transfer news, Mike Mulvey confirmed that Roar will run the rule over a new player early next week before a decision is made around a contract.



Perth Glory: 1. Daniel VUKOVIC, 7. Jacob BURNS, 11. Adrian ZAHRA, 14. Steven MCGARRY, 15. Isaka CERNAK, 16. Sidnei Sciola MORAES, 17. Chris HAROLD, 23. Michael THWAITE, 24. Matthew DAVIES, 25. Riley WOODCOCK, 36. William GALLAS.

Subs: 2. Jack CLISBY, 6. Cameron EDWARDS, 9, Shane SMELTZ, 19. Joshua RISDON, 39. Like RADONICH.


Brisbane Roar: 1. Michael THEO, 2. Matthew SMITH, 3. Shane STEFANUTTO, 7. Besart BERISHA, 10. HENRIQUE, 11. Liam MILLER, 13. Jade NORTH, 17. Matthew MCKAY, 18. Luke BRATTAN, 19. Jack HINGERT, 22. Thomas BROICH.

Subs: 20. Matthew ACTON, 23. Dimitri PETRATOS, 27. Devante CLUT, 28. Brandon BORRELLO, 35. Jai INGHAM.