Adelaide super sub sinks Glory

Adelaide remained undefeated and top of the Hyundai A-League with a come from behind 2-1 victory over Perth Glory at Members Equity Stadium last night.

The Glory began brightly in front of another disappointing crowd of 8,052, and pressed the Adelaide side, who hadn’t conceded a goal in the league this season. They went close early, Brian Deane flicking on to Hiroyuki Ishida who’s low shot was saved a full stretch by Daniel Beltrame.

There was more football being played by the Glory than previous weeks and it wasn’t a surprise they took the lead in the 21st minute, but the goal had a great deal of good fortune. A long clearance was flicked on by Deane and Bobby Despotovski chased the ball into the area, and as Beltrame tried to clear the ball it ricocheted of Despotovski and his marker Kristian Rees and rolled into an empty net.

The announcer gave the goal to Bobby and the Glory were 1-0 up. We hadn’t seen Adelaide as an attack force, but now 1-0 down they had to come out of their shells, and they leveled in 32nd minute. The Glory were guilty of ball watching after former Socceroo Carl Veart headed down to Ross Aloisi, who volleyed home from the edge of the box past Jason Petkovic.

The Glory looked good going forward and almost went back in to the lead after a great run by Ishida on the left, he cut inside the defender but his strike was inches past the post with Beltrame well beaten. On the stroke of half time the Glory were desperately unlucky not to regain the lead after Billy Celeski header was cleared of the line by Angelo Costanzo. It was 1-1 at the break and the game was up for grabs for the team that wanted it the most. It was announced at half time the goal had been given as a own goal to Rees.

The Glory began the second half well and Despotovski tested Beltrame early with a snap shot, and blazed over after holding off the last defender. Adelaide were soaking up the Glory pressure and hitting on the counter attack, and Travis Dodd latched on to a long clearance and his shot from the edge of the box was tipped over by Petkovic. On numerous occasions the Glory midfield were blocked by the Adelaide defenders off the ball, but referee Matthew Breeze didn’t pick it up and Adelaide continued to do it, it looked like they had been working with the Adelaide Crows in shepherding.

The Glory were playing some good football but their final ball or cross was unproductive, but after a Simon Colosimo corner Jamie Harnwell should have done better but he headed over form close range. But it was Adelaide who went in front in the 65th minute, and it was the second half substitute, Chinese import Qu Shengqing who scored on his debut for United. He latched on to a long ball and coolly finished to the right of Petkovic, to silence the Glory faithful.

Adelaide keeper Beltrame then produced a Jekyll and Hyde performance, first he produced a stunning save to deny Despotovski. But moments later was shown a red card for a needless push on Scott Miller, this after the referee had given Adelaide a free kick. Louis Brain was brought off and reserve keeper Robert Bajic came on. The Glory really didn’t test the new keeper, with Celeski’s long range shot the closest the Glory came scoring.

Another home defeat for the Glory and with pressure mounting on the coach, and big name striker Brian Deane, who hasn’t performed to the expectations of the Glory fans since arriving from the UK, the questions will continue to be asked, although it was probably their best home performance of the season and they lost.

“It’s a funny old game” as they say. It’s a long trek for the Glory to face New Zealand in Auckland, and it’s a top of the table clash for Adelaide when they entertain Central Coast Mariners next Sunday at Hindmarsh Stadium.

Team Line-Ups

Perth:
GK. Jason Petkovic, 4. Simon Colosimo, 5. Jamie Harnwell, 7. Scott Miller, 10. Bobby Despotovski, 12. Hiroyuki Ishida, 13. Ante Kovacevic, 14. Jamie Coyne, 15. Billy Celeski, 16. Brian Deane, 19. Naum Sekulovsk. Subs; GK. Milan Jovanic, 6. Steve McMahon Jr, 8. Nick Ward, 18. Henry Fa’arodo.

Adelaide United:
GK. Daniel Beltrame, 3. Kristian Rees, 4. Angelo Costanzo, 5. Michael Valkanis, 6. Ross Aloisi, 8. Carl Veart, 9. Matthew Kemp, 11. Louis Brain, 13. Travis Dodd, 14. Aaron Goulding, 17. Adam Van Dommele. Subs; GK. Robert Bajic, 12. Chad Bugeja, 18. Robert Cornthwaite, 19, Qu Shengqing.

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