Funny how football works. Of the Glory’s first three matches, this was the least convincing showing and yet it yielded a first win of the season and a first for Alen Stajcic as the Perth boss.
End product defines the result. In round one, we created enough chances to put the game out of the Jets’ reach and it came back to haunt us. Round two, again late in the game, a big opportunity was missed and a point slipped away.
This time round, as the game was nearing its conclusion, the man who missed the penalty a week earlier seized the opportunity to seal the deal on an important three points.
Stajcic made some bold selection choices for the clash against his former side. Salim Khelifi’s slotted straight into a starting role in his first game back from injury at the expense of Luke Ivanovic.
The second change was of much more significance. Following a difficult start to his season, Oli Sail was dropped to the bench in favour of Cameron Cook.
Sail was given the coach’s backing during the week, and while I’m sure he will eventually find his rhythm, he mightfind getting back into the lineup a bigger challenge.
Although the new Mariners attack have struggled in front of goal, Cook had a brilliant night in net. Two sharp reflex saves in the first half to keep the scores level and then an impressive effort to tip Christian Theoharous’ long-range strike over the bar as it was heading for the top corner late in the second. Not to mention a spot in the A-League Team of the Week.
Cook shouldn’t get all of the praise; the back four deserve credit for the way they played. For large periods of the game the Central Coast dominated possession and territory but were unable to fashion many good scoring opportunities.
The tall Glory defence dominated in the air, largely due to Mark Beevers and Aleksander Susnjar. The captain made a game high eight clearances, five of which were headed. Susnjar won 5/6 aerial duels, restricting the effectiveness of Angel Torres on the right side of the Mariners attack.
A new look Perth frontline saw a shift in position for Daniel Bennie, accompanying Adam Taggart up top to allow room for Khelifi to play on the left with Jarrod Carluccio on the right.
The Tunisian was instantly involved, setting up the first shot after drawing three defenders near the corner flag. Watching him higher up the pitch will be a joy as long as he stays injury free. He was substituted at half-time as a precaution for that reason. The quick feet and trickery are still there, not missing a beat in his first appearance since April.
Bruce Kamau was his replacement at the break, while on the other side Carluccio made way for Stef Colakovski at the same time. The Wanderers loanee hasn’t been convincing thus far, continuing to adapt in his new role but failing to get as involved in the forward movement as the rest of the forwards.
Colakovski didn’t take too much time to get going, scoring off the bench after less than 10 minutes for the second home game in a row. Susnjar cleared a deep Mariners corner out wide to Kamau. Spotting Taggart, the sub managed to get the ball past a sliding Brian Kaltak into his path. Bearing down on goal, the striker laid the ball into the path of the onrushing winger, getting there before Danny Vukovic and slotting it home in front of the Shed End.
It was a perfect counterattack from one end to the other, the ball transition quick and the execution of the passes and finish top quality.
The Mariners search for an equaliser was made tougher when Angel Torres was shown a straight red for violent conduct, a whack to the side of the head of Jacob Muir behind the referee’s back. VAR sent the referee to the monitor and ruled out a Taggart goal for offside in the process.
Down to 10, the Mariners managed to maintain most of the possession for the rest of the contest despite the man disadvantage.
More control of the game in the late stages would have been nicer and less stressful, but any worries of dropping points were swept away by Taggart in the 93rd minute. The subs got involved again, this time it was David Williams and Riley Warland. Exchanging passes near the touchline, the defender got past his man with a ball roll and drilled a pass to Taggart on the edge of the area.
Taking a touch to steady, he powerfully struck his shot low and hard to Vukovic’s right. The Mariners keeper got gloves to it but not enough to keep it out.
The championship hangover has hit the Mariners hard. Many key personnel have departed and left big shoes to fill for the new recruits. Theoharous was always a threat with his pace, keeping Johnny Koutroumbis on his toes while Josh Nisbet continues to impress in midfield.
Three away days in a row presents an opportunity to help exercise the demons of the season past. A confidence boosting win was much needed heading into the last game before international break. The Wanderers haven’t been defeated but had to come from behind to salvage a draw with the Jets and drew with the Phoenix on opening day.
Last season’s memories against Western Sydney were mostly good ones, granted they were both at home. A happy memory on the road would be even sweeter and keep confidence building in the early stages of the campaign.
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