Sydney end Glory’s season, decides the top four

It was all on the line for the home side tonight in the final match in Round 20 of the A-League, with the Glory needed nothing more than a victory against Sydney to keep their play off chances alive.

But it was a Dwight Yorke inspired Sydney FC which left Members Equity Stadium with the points after a 2-1 victory.

Glory made one change to last week’s side that beat New Zealand 4-1 with Simon Colosimo replacing the injured Henry Fa’arodo. All the talk in midweek was Colosimo’s proposed transfer out of the club, but he took his place in the starting line up.

Sydney coach Pierre Littbarski made three changes to the starting eleven, with Steve Corica, Sasho Petrovski and Ruben Zadkovich all coming in with David Zdrilic out and Iain Fyfe and Robbie Middleby going to the bench.

Sydney opened the brighter and had Glory on the back foot, Corica firing over from a free kick in the opening minutes and Jacob Timpano heading straight at Jason Petkovic who saved at the second attempt. The Glory was chasing shadows and Dwight Yorke was in control of the midfield, he played in Alvin Ceccoli who shot inches wide.

The Glory’s first opening came in the 11th minute, after a Bobby Despotovski corner was only partially cleared and Colosimo’s volley was blocked in the area and cleared. However, it was only a matter of time before the visitors went in front, and Yorke was the provider, he found David Carney wide on the right in the 14th minute.

The curling cross was met by the unmarked Mark Rudan who headed past Petkovic. The Glory faithful were stunned and Nick Ward went in search of the equalizer, he cut inside Yorke but Clint Bolton saved his shot low.

The Glory looked lethargic and a number of players lacked the determination and passion that their faithful expect, on the other hand Sydney were fighting for everything, and Petrovski went close twice in as many minutes. First, after a quick counter attack, Carney played him in but he shot inches past the post with Petkovic stranded. Moments later Ruben Zadovich found Yorke wide on the left, his cross was headed over by the Sydney FC striker.

Nevertheless, the visitors doubled their lead in the 23rd minute and it was a goal of sublimed brilliance. Yorke played the ball into Matthew Bingley, Petrovski flicked his ball onto Zadkovich, who fired home from close range. It must have been eight passes and again the Glory was left wanting.

The Glory’s season was slipping away and all Colosimo could do was to blame everyone else, when he should have had at look at himself. Yorke was having a great game although the Glory had no player near him the whole of the first half and he was doing as he pleased. The Glory should have reduced the score in the 40th minute after a great cross, from the left by Jamie Coyne, was headed down by Damian Mori to Despotovski.

The striker’s shot was blocked by Bolton and Scott Miller could not find the net from close range as Bolton saved at his feet. The visitors went in at the break with a deserved lead, but it could have been better after Carney fired over from close range, and with their season on the line, the Glory had to lift.

Glory coach made two changes at the break with sluggish Colosimo and Sekulovski replaced by Hiroyuki Ishida and Adrian Caceres. It had an immediate impact with Danny Hay playing in Despotovski down the right flank, his cross deflected off Ceccoli and Bolton had to be alert to tip the ball away.

It was now end to end with first Zadkovich having his shot saved low by Petkovic, and in the 48th minute, the Glory had a chance to get back into the game. A surging run by Caceres ended with Mark Milligan pulling him back and referee Craig Zetter pointed to the spot.

The Glory’s veteran striker Despotovski stepped up but his spot kick was saved brilliantly by Bolton. Sydney, who needed the victory to make sure of a play off spot, surged forward and Corica found Carney in on goal but the former Everton midfielder shot wide of the target.

It was different Glory side in the second half and they were beginning to get on top, and they were back in the game in the 53rd minute, after Despotovski volleyed home from inside the box from a superb Ishida cross. It was game on the crowd were up appealing for a penalty when Mori was brought down in the area but Zetter waved away their protests.

Their was chances at both ends firstly on the hour Ward played in Mori, but the all time NSL leading goal scorer blazed over with only Bolton to beat. Then it was Sydney’s turn with Carney again firing over and Jamie Harnwell blocking a Corica shot, when the former Socceroo looked to finish.

The Glory were still in the game but time was running out, Miller’s free kick was headed back by Hay and Despotovski goal bound shot was blocked. Sydney was defending in numbers but always looked dangerous on the counter, again Carney fired wide and Yorke played in Petrovski whose shot straight at Petkovic.

Caceres was causing Milligan all sorts of problems down the left and his cross, in the 77th minute, was saved at full stretch by Bolton under pressure from Ishida. The Glory still pushed forward but could not beat Bolton and with time ticking by the game become a little aggressive.

Un-sportsmanship from former German international and Sydney coach Pierre Littbarski in the final minutes. With the Glory pressing and searching for the equaliser he kicked the ball away instead of passing it back to Jamie Coyne, the crowd let him know their thoughts.

At the final whistle, it was Sydney, who took the points and officially ended the Glory season. The result is also bad news for the form team of the league, Queensland Roar, who now cannot make the play-offs.

Therefore, it is Adelaide United, Sydney FC, Central Coast and Newcastle that will be in the A-League's inaugural final series.

The Glory finishes off their season away against the Newcastle Jets next Sunday and it is one vs two next Friday when Adelaide United visit Sydney.

Team Line-Ups

Perth Glory:
Jason Petkovic, Simon Colosimo, Jamie Harnwell, Scott Miller, Nick Ward, Bobby Despotovski, Jamie Coyne, Naum Sekulovski, Damian Mori, Danny Hay, David Micevski - Subs; Milan Jovanic, Hiroyuki Ishida, Stuart Young, Adrian Caceres.

Sydney FC:
Clint Bolton, Alvin Ceccoli, Mark Rudan, Matthew Bingley, Steve Corica, Sasho Petrovski , David Carney, Mark Milligan, Jacob Timpano, Dwight Yorke, Ruben Zadkovich - Subs; Justin Pasfield, Iain Fyfe, Robbie Middleby, Andrew Packer.

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