Glorious goal for Glavas

Young Perth striker Luka Glavas has netted his first Hyundai A-League goal to give the Glory a hard fought one-all draw against Sydney at Aussie Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The goal coming in the 75th minute to level the scores but it could have easily been the winner for Perth who were earlier denied a goal by the linesman just after the main break.

Bobby Despotovski’s effort found the back of the net after a well taken cross took a deflection off a Sydney defender but he was ruled offside and the goal was disallowed.

It didn’t look to be Perth’s day with the side going behind after just 15 minutes and then suffering a major blow with Stuart Young, the club’s leading scorer this season, forced from the pitch with an injury just before the 20 minute mark.

Despite the early setback the Glory managed to find their feet with Glavas coming on as Young’s replacement and the youngster clearly enjoyed some extended minutes on the pitch.

The 21 year old almost equalising just on the stroke of half time with a spectacular volley which could only be pushed away by Clint Bolton in Sydney’s goal. The resultant goal mouth scramble saw two more attempts by Perth stopped and left the home supporters with their hearts in their mouths.

It has been a big week for Glavas who only re-joined his team mates on Saturday afternoon after spending the week in Sydney training with the National under 23’s squad. His breakthrough Hyundai A-League goal coming in front of family and friends who were on hand to watch the NSW born striker in action for the Glory.

It was a beautiful finish after a great build-up from Despotovski who used all his experience and cunning to make his way past several Sydney defenders before placing the ball into the path of Glavas who fired it into the far corner.

Coach Ron Smith went into the game with a different look to previous weeks with Despotovski the lone striker and regular defender Ante Kovacevic sitting just in front of the back four. It seemed to be having the desired effect as Sydney were unable to break through for a close look at goal.

Their chance did come however on the back of a defensive error out wide which allowed Sasho Petrovski to send in a cross to team mate David Zdrilic.

The big striker found himself unchecked in the box and powered his header past young Glory keeper Aleks Vrteski who despite being able to get his hands to the ball wasn’t able to stop it from crossing the line.

It was to be the only blemish in Vrteski’s day with the 18 year old showing a wise head on several occasions to thwart Sydney’s attack.

Indeed the entire Perth defence can be satisfied with their efforts as the home side heaped on the pressure in what was billed as a must win game for the reigning champions.

The Glory is halfway through an exhausting four game stretch on the road and must now return to Perth to prepare for yet another away game against Adelaide next Sunday.

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