A-League – Player Ratings – Perth Glory 3 Melbourne City 2

A-League – Player Ratings – Perth Glory 3 Melbourne City 2

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Ben Smith
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Perth Glory held off a strong finish from Melbourne City to triumph 3-2 in a wild game at nib Stadium.

Backed by a bumper home crowd, Perth started strongly and had a wonderful chance early when Josh Risdon picked out Andy Keogh in the box, but the Irishman dragged his shot wide. After a slow start, the visitors worked their way back into the contest, but were unable to test Ante Covic in goal. The Glory looked more likely to score, but couldn’t convert their chances, the best being a Gyorgy Sandor strike from the edge of the box which flew over.

When the teams re-emerged for the second half, once again it was Perth who started the brightest. Richard Garcia let City off the hook when he scuffed a Nebojsa Marinkovic cross from six yards after Alex Wilkinson had miscued a clearance. But Keogh wasn’t in such a forgiving mood and finally made Perth’s dominance count. Castro knocked Marinkovic’s free kick into his path and the Irishman converted from close range, making it his eighth consecutive game with a goal, thus breaking the A-League record.

Keogh wasn’t done though, and ten minutes later, his looped pass found an unmarked Gyorgy Sandor, who waltzed through City’s defence unmarked before sliding past Thomas Sorensen. Soon after it was 3-0, as Perth hit the away side on the break and Castro met Keogh’s cross with an inch-perfect volley which left Sorensen with no chance and the crowd in a frenzy. The action wasn’t over, as Bruno Fornaroli beat the offside trap and rounded Ante Covic to give Melbourne a glimmer of hope. Perth had  chances to kill the game off late, but they couldn’t take them, and Marc Marino scored in injury time to send panic through the Glory camp. But the hosts saw out the final few minutes to claim a deserved win.

Perth Glory

Ante Covic – 7: Untested for long periods of the first half, but made a strong save to deny Novillo at his near post.

Josh Risdon – 7: Almost set up Keogh in the first ten minutes. His driving, attacking runs caused City concern all day long and he kept the dangerous Novillo mostly quiet.

Shane Lowry -7 : Had an entertaining matchup with Fornaroli, which looked like it may descend into fisticuffs at one stage, but managed to keep him mostly quiet. Should’ve done better in the lead up to his goal, though.

Alex Grant – 7: Was rock solid at the back and as usual, won nearly everything in the air. Deserves at least a nomination for Young Player of the Year.

Marc Warren – 7: Dealt with Fitzgerald’s pace well and timed his tackles to perfection. His distribution could have been slightly better.

Chris Harold – 6: His pace and endeavour was useful early, but unfortunately he succumbed to a hamstring injury after half an hour and was replaced.

Krisztian Vadocz – 7: Looked the goods early, winning the ball in midfield and finding his teammate’s feet. Played a big role in limiting Melbourne’s midfield time on the ball.

Gyorgy Sandor – 9: Bossed the midfield alongside his countryman Vadocz. Always looked to play the wings early and was afforded the time to do so, eventuating in him scoring the second of the night. One of his best performances in a purple shirt.

Nebojsa Marinkovic – 7: Constantly found time and space on the left, but was unable to take advantage of it, although he did swing in the free kick which lead to the first goal.

Andy Keogh – 9: Had two early chances, neither of which he was able to convert, but made no mistake in the second half when he scored from close range. Eight consecutive games with at least one goal is a league record, but it wasn’t enough, as he then produced two assists to kill the game off.

Diego Castro – 8: The ever dangerous Spaniard was slightly subdued in the first half, unable to make anything more than a decent impact on the game. However, the second half was more typical of the Castro we know and love, as he put Melbourne to the sword time and time again.

Substitutes

Richard Garcia – 7: Came on as an early substitute for Harold and was solid, if unspectacular. Worked hard all game long and his movement hurt Melbourne.

Mitchell Oxborrow – 6: Came on late and was hard-working in the middle of the park.

Jamal Reiners – 7: His pace and guile caused City’s tiring problems when he was introduced late.

 

Melbourne City

Thomas Sorensen – 7: Could do nothing about any of the three goals, but made a great save to deny Castro another one.

Ivan Franjic – 6: Was always keen to get forward, but found himself stifled and his influence limited.

Alex Wilkinson – 6: Battled Keogh all game long, matched him physically and managed to limit his influence in the first half, but found himself caught out of position in the second as Melbourne chased the game.

Patrick Kisnorbo – 6: Made some poor decisions and looked uncomfortable on the ball, something Perth tried to exploit. Looked uncomfortable against Perth’s movement.

Michael Zullo – 6: Enjoyed a solid start to the game, only to depart just before half-time after a recurrence of his ankle injury.

Osama Malik – 6: Started most of City’s attacks deep in midfield, but found himself with limited options available. Was caught napping and let Sandor go untouched for his goal.

Anthony Caceres – 5: Was kept very, very quiet in the first half and was substituted early in the second half.

Aaron Mooy – 7: Despite his obvious class, was well marshaled by Vadocz and Sandor and wasn’t allowed any time or space. Got more into the game in the second half and was more problematic.

Nick Fitzgerald – 6: Worked hard but was unable to make any meaningful contributions.

Bruno Fornaroli – 7: Was as lively and dangerous as usual, never giving Lowry and Grant any moment’s rest. Scored a fantastic solo effort to bring City back into the game late.

Harry Novillo – 6: Kept quiet by Risdon in the first half, although wasn’t helped by a lack of service from midfield. Had a couple of dangerous shots in the second half, one which forced a good save from Covic, but was otherwise quiet.

Substitutes

Benjamin Garuccio – 6: Replaced Zullo in the first half and found himself under pressure in a tough second half.

Paulo Retre – 6: Was unable to make much of an impact once introduced.

Marc Marino – 7: Scored a well-taken late strike to give City some extra hope and was generally positive.

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