GLORY 0 SYDNEY FC O
Sunday September 9, 3pm
Members Equity Stadium
REFEREE Craig Zetter
CROWD 7,907
BILLED AS… Two sides missing a truckload of their best players hoping it wouldn't show.
IN REALITY… It did. A match that tried hard to come to life after a bright openng ultimately petered out into a limp, forgettable 0-0 slab of lard. It certainly started well but poor finishing was to blame. By the late stages of the game, you could just feel the players' belief they could win it waning away. Ditto the fans. And me.
THE GOOD… Matthew Nash. Who? The 26-year-old NSW state league custodian who stepped into the very large shoes of Clint Bolton and made Culina's day with a performance that totally belied his lack of experience. And Jamie Harnwell's arrival as a late substitute cheered up the Glory faithful. He may be out of favour with Boffin Ron, but he's definitely still a fans' favourite in Perth.
THE BAD… Both sides missing players – a total of 17 to injury and a double international call up week (Olyroos and Socceroos). In retrospect, this game should've been cancelled and played later in the season.
THE UGLY… 7,907 fans? After a decent result in Melbourne last week and some lovely Perth sunshine, you'd expect at least more than the opening day crowd against the Jets. It was less. What is going? Glory aren't that bad, surely? Maybe they are... wonder what the new owners make of it.
THEY SAID WHAT… "All I wanted to be given was a fair go," said Glory's Jamie Harnwell who was surprisingly given the Fox Sports post-match interview. "At the time I've been on the park I've done as much as anyone has. I just wanted a fair go. It's good to know you've got the support of the fans." Sydney FC striker David Zdrilic said after the game: "We had a few chances and on another day we could've got a win. In saying that, considering the circumstances, I guess it's okay. You just gotta keep going and sooner or later it's going to fall."
THE FALLOUT… Glory has to figure out a way to score. Until they do, it's another year without finals footy. While for Sydney, they'll be the marginally happier they got through the match with such a patched up squad.
GLORY: Tommi Tomich, Dino Djulbic, Anthony Danze, Mate Dragicevic (Jimmy Downey 74’), Leo Bertos, Nikita Rukavytsya, Jamie Coyne, Mitchell Prentice (Jamie Harnwell 64’), Nick Rizzo (Jordan Simpson 46’), 19.Naum Sekulovski, Tyler Simpson
BOOKINGS Tyler Simpson 60’
SYDNEY: Matthew Nash, Iain Fyfe, Mark Rudan, Tony Popovic, Robbie Middleby (Matthew Jurman 86’), David Zdrilic, Steve Corica, Patrick, Terry McFlynn (Robbie Cattanach 74’), Adam Casey (Michael Enfield 66’), Ufuk Talay
BOOKINGS Patrick 29’, Iain Fyfe 45’, Mark Rudan 86’
MATCH RATING 2/5