Wanderers unable to gain Glory

It was another disappointing game for the Western Sydney Wanderers who ended their journey in season's Hyundai A-League after a 2-1 loss to Perth Glory.

The game was delayed by 45 minutes as a hailstorm engulfed the stadium and made it look more like an ice-skating rink than a football field.

The night ended on a sour note not only due to the Red and Black’s loss but also because many of their fans in the active support section were pepper sprayed during the match resulting in a walkout.

Despite this, there were definitely some positives with many young players being incorporated into the starting line-up. This included Jonathon Aspropotamitis, Shayne D’Cunha, Liam Youlley and Steve Kuzmanovski, who all showed bright signs for the future.

It was not long until Glory broke into the lead with Rostyn Griffiths providing a perfect pass that enabled Jamie Macalaren to send a low shot past Wanderers keeper Dean Bouzanis.

The Red and Black were being heavily dominated by Perth Glory in the first half and had a couple of shots transpire from the attacking force of Kerem Bulut and Steve Kuzmanovski, but neither of the players were able to help their side equalise.

One of the misses of the season, a complete shambles in the penalty area saw Danny De Silva feed the ball to Richard Garcia who hit the woodwork with his header.

The equaliser by the Wanderers came early in the second half as debutant Liam Youlley was left unmarked in the box and he sent a shot that deflected its way into the goal.

This seemed to temporarily give the Wanderers the spark and momentum they needed. The Wanderers were on top of Glory for the remainder of the second half but they were simply unable to convert such pressure into crucial goals.

It was not long then until Andy Keogh blasted the ball into the goal and sentenced the Wanderers to another loss in their dismal season.

Denis Kramar then saw red and was sent packing after receiving a second yellow after fouling Kuzmanovski.

Despite Glory being down to 10 men and missing a defender, the Wanderers were still unable to score which has certainly been the story of their season as they lost to Perth Glory 2-1.

Wanderers assistant coach Ian Crook took the post-match press conference as head coach Tony Popovic had a flight to catch to China.

“The boys tonight including (Kuzmanovski) have come in and done really well; that’s the pleasing side,” Crook said about what he believed were the positives from the match.

The Wanderers' season in the A-League has now ended with them just missing out on becoming the wooden spooners. Despite one competition being over, the club still has one AFC Champions League Group Stage match remaining with them also clutching at straws in that competition.


Western Sydney Wanderers: Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, Jonathon ASPROPOTAMITIS, Shayne D’CUNHA, Antony GOLEC, Liam YOULLEY (Jason TRIFIRO 75’), Mateo POLJAK, Steve KUZMANOVSKI, Nikita RUKAVYTSYA (Mark BRIDGE 57’), Nick KALMAR (GolGol Mebrahatu 71’), Kerem BULUT and Dean BOUZANIS.

Unused substitutes: Ante COVIC and Shannon COLE.


Perth Glory: Jamie MACLAREN (Chris HAROLD 93’), Andy KEOGH, Daniel DE SILVA (Scott JAMIESON 61’), Mitchell OXBORROW (Nebojsa MARINKOVIC 80’), Rosytn GRIFFITHS, Richard GARCIA, Denis KRAMAR, Joshua RISDON, Michael THWAITE, Dino DJULBIC and Danny VUKOVIC.

Unused substitutes: Riley WOODCOCK and Jack DUNCAN.