Sydney Gets Out of a Hole to Defeat Glory

Sydney FC kept there Hyundai A-league minor champions dreams alive with a thrilling and controversial 3-2 victory against a gallant Perth Glory at Parramatta Stadium this afternoon.

A Steve Corica penalty set Vítezslav Lavicka team on their way to victory, but it was John Aloisi’s first goal, Sydney’s second, that was the talking point after the game.

His second three minutes from time won all three points for the home side, and set’s up a blockbuster next week when Sydney meet leaders Melbourne Victory at the Sydney Football Stadium .

Sydney went into the game unchanged from the side that slipped up against Brisbane Roar last week, while the Glory made one change to the side that beat Central Coast Mariners with Wayne Srhoj replacing the injured Adriano Pellegrino.

The Glory began brightly and had the first opportunity on six minutes. A great through ball from Naum Sekulovski sent Steven McGarry clear, but the Scottish midfielder’s shot was straight at Sydney keeper Clint Bolton, who saved.

Sydney went close moments later Slovakian striker Karol Kisel’s long-range shot whistled wide of the post, while Aloisi’s shot from the edge of the box on 15 minutes flashed inches wide then a foul on the edge of the box by Srhoj on Corica gave the home side a free kick, Kisel’s curled the set piece just past the far post.

Sydney began to get on top and on 23 minutes they hit the front. A great run from Alex Brosque saw him skip past two Glory defenders as he cut inside the penalty area, his shot was brilliantly cleared off the line by Scott Neville.

The rebound fell to Shannon Cole who was brought down by Todd Howarth and referee Chris Beath had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Corica kept his nerve and scored from the spot kick to edge Sydney in front.

With their top four chances on the line the Glory lifted and ended the half on top, and on 34 minutes Andy Todd found Srhoj who fed McBreen, his volley was superbly saved by Clint Bolton at full stretch.

It was on-loan striker McBreen again on 45 minutes, Scott Bulloch found the big English striker, but Stephen Kellar’s last ditch tackle cleared the danger for the home side.

With half time beckoning it was visitors who equalised. McGarry’s free kick was headed back across goal by Chris Coyne, and Andrija Jukic fed Srhoj who’s sweetly struck volley beat Bolton at his near post.

The second half began with a bang as Sydney scored in controversial circumstances.  The Glory were guilty of giving the ball away in midfield and when Aloisi’s shot beat keeper Aleks Vrteski, it seemed Chris Coyne had cleared the ball off the line, but on further inspection it was seen the ball went through a hole in the side netting and referee Chris Beath awarded the goal after consultation with his assistant and fourth official.

Again the Glory hit back and Bulloch’s long-range shot was saved by Bolton, but Sydney should have wrapped up the points on the hour. Again the Glory didn’t clear their lines and when Corica sent Brosque clear the Socceroos striker fired wide from six-yards.

The Glory were taking the game to their hosts and McBreen headed wide on 68 minutes and McGarry’s chip was easily saved by Bolton moments later, but on 79 minutes they deservedly levelled.

A corner from Bulloch was only cleared to Todd on the edge of the box; his ball back into the penalty area was flicked on by McGarry to Bulloch, whose low cross was stabbed home by McBreen at the back post.

With their title aspirations on the line the home side lifted and three minutes from time they hit the front. Again it was the Glory who was caught in possession in their own half and they were punished when Keller’s cross from the right picked out Aloisi and the former Socceroos striker headed back across goal and wide of Vrteski to send the crowd into raptures.

There was still time for the Glory to almost snatch a point, McBreen’s stunning long-range shot was superbly saved by Bolton at full stretch on 88 minutes, and in the second minute of injury time McBreen sent Bulloch clear but Bolton was out bravely to save at his feet and when the ball rolled goalwards Cole was there to clear the ball to safety off his own goal line.

After the game John Aloisi was happy to get the three points. “It was a tough game and we probably didn’t play as well as we would have liked but it was exciting for the fans and a massive win for us. It keeps our top two hopes alive,” said Aloisi.

“I was happy to get on the scoresheet but it was more important to get the three points, it set’s up a massive game next week and we are expecting a huge crowd. The players can’t wait; every footballer wants to play in a big game,” added Aloisi.

Sydney FC Coach Vitezslav Lavicka added: “The team showed great character and it was our experienced players who shone through in the important parts of the game.”.

Perth coach Dave Mitchell accused referee Chris Beath after the game of using technology to change his decision after he had originally signalled for a corner. “It was a goal – there was no question it wasn’t a goal – but I think it’d been decided it was a corner and I think they’ve showed it on the big screen and everyone’s ‘oh, it was a goal’,” said Mitchell.

“The linesman didn’t indicate it was a goal at the time and the referee’s gone the same…he’s changed his mind,” added a disappointed Mitchell.

Meanwhile, Sydney FC’s National Youth League side were defeated 1-0 by Perth Glory at Seymour Shaw Park this afternoon.

A first half strike from Glory player Brent Griffiths in the 40th minute gave Perth the away win and move the Glory back into second place on the table.

The match was moved from Parramatta Stadium to Seymour Shaw Park earlier in the morning due to constant heavy rain.

Sydney FC – GK Clint BOLTON, 3 Stephan KELLER, 4 Simon COLOSIMO, 6 Karol KISEL, 8 Stuart MUSIALIK (16 Christopher PAYNE 82′), 9 John ALOISI, 10 Steve CORICA (23 Rhyan GRANT 72′), 12 Shannon COLE, 14 Alex BROSQUE, 15 Terry MCFLYNN, 22 Sung-Hwan BYUN (26 Hayden FOXE 90+1)

Substitutes Not Used: RGK Ivan NECEVSKI, 26 Hayden FOXE

Yellow Cards: Nil.

Perth Glory GK Alex VRTESKI, 2 Daniel McBREEN, 3 Jamie COYNE, 4 Andy TODD, 6 Chris COYNE, 10 Wayne SHROJ (5 Jamie HARNWELL 73′), 12 Scot NEVILLE, 14 Steven McGARRY, 17 Todd HOWARTH (13 Scott BULLOCH 33′), 19 Naum SEKULOVSKI, 23 Andrija JUKIC (9 Tommy AMPHLETT 60′)

Substitutes Not Used: RGK Alex PEARSON

Yellow Cards: McGarry 40’, Vrteski 49’, McBreen 65’

Referee: Chris Beath

Attendance: 8 359