Perth Glory extended Wellington Pheonix’s winless run to nine matches as they prevailed 1-0 winners in the aptly dubbed ‘Distance Derby’ at Westpac Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
After a slow opening to the match, the first chance fell to the Phoenix on 14 minutes after a well weighted through ball from Manny Muscat found Joel Stevens out wide, who sent his powerful volley toward goal forcing a terrific save from Perth goalkeeper Ante Covic.
The only goal of the match followed six minutes later as a tantalising set piece delivery from Nebojsa Marinkovic, in conjunction with some lackadaisical marking from Wellington, saw Chris Harold fire a header into the top corner of the net.
Michael McGlinchey looked sure to have equalised in the 43rd minute of play as he connected with a low cross from Louis Fenton at the edge of the six-yard box only to be denied by another superb save from Covic.
Despite Wellington having the majority of play in the second half, they failed to convert their dominance into attempts on goal as Perth held on to secure the win.
Importance of set pieces
A combination of Marinkovic’s supreme efficiency from dead ball situations and Kenny Lowe’s managerial history in England’s semi-professional leagues results in a hardly surprising set piece reliance from Perth Glory.
Harold’s header from a Marinkovic free kick took the Glory to a league-high 10 goals coming from set pieces, outlining an incredible efficiency in a route to goal that is not exactly desired in the world of modern football; often pigeon-holed as a tactic solely employed by technically inferior and physically superior sides.
Call it ugly, call it fortunate, the bottom line is Perth made the 5000 kilometre trip home with the win despite losing the shot count 11 to three along with only 38% of possession, exemplifying just how easily set pieces can turn one point into three.
Glory’s set piece prowess could prove an invaluable tool in their push for a spot in the A-League finals.
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Coping without Krishna
Following another relatively impotent display, the Phoenix have converted a measly three goals from five matches since the loss of key forward Roy Krishna to an ankle injury.
Starting the match with a front three of McGlinchey, Stevens and Blake Powell who combined have clocked up a mere five goals between them, one less than Krishna, compounded by the recent contract termination of winger Jefferey Sarpong, questions must be asked of how the New Zealand club is looking to combat this lack of depth in the attack department.
With the club slipping further and further down that A-League table, perhaps Wellington could use this as an opportunity to browse the domestic talent on display in the ASB Premiership. Top scorer Ryan De Vries, boasting a New Zealand cap and an appearance in last year’s FIFA Club World Cup with Aukland City, could be a potential solution to the Pheonix’s attacking woes.
Age just a number for Covic
The Perth custodian proved today just how capable he is of maintaining a number one spot at A-League level.
Stopping a pile driver from Stevens early on as well as heroically getting in the way of what looked like a certain tap in goal from McGlinchey set a standard for the afternoon which he refused to drop.
While he may not be consistently performing at the same level he demonstrated in red and black, his composed performances and experience of his former A-League and AFC Champions league success could prove pivotal in the Glory’s much for the coveted sixth spot.
The former Socceroo will celebrate his 41st birthday in June and with no confirmed talks of retirement, it does not seem as though he will be shown the door by Glory anytime soon.
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