Far Post Perth News & Views

Glory grind out vital victory over Auckland in hard-fought battle

Heart. Grit. Spirit. Effort.

There aren’t enough words to fully capture the magnitude of the Perth Glory’s 1-0 win over Auckland, a courageous yet exhilarating performance that delivered on every front. The pressure to perform was immense, given the disappointing results in recent fixtures both at home and on the road.

Many, myself included, likely expected this to be a one-sided affair favouring the visitors. Auckland had the advantage of ample time to acclimatise and prepare, having not played since last week. Meanwhile, the Glory players had only flown back from Sydney on Thursday, squeezed in a training session on Friday, and then stepped onto the pitch last night.

Although I wasn’t able to attend the game in person, watching the replay made it abundantly clear that every Glory player was locked in, executing David Zdrilic’s game plan with precision and purpose. Over the course of the season, both Zdrilic and the team have faced relentless criticism from fans and media alike for a string of poor performances.

But last night, the message from the team was unmistakable: if Auckland wanted a result, they would have to be exceptional.

The intensity of Glory’s pressing game was clear. The organisation and synchronisation of their press made it nearly impossible for Auckland to settle on the ball, let alone create meaningful outlets. This suffocating style of play showcased exactly what the Red Bull-inspired game model that Zdrilic has been implementing is capable of when executed effectively.

It was relentless. It was unyielding. The initial press was fierce, but the second and third efforts were equally impressive. Glory’s ability to recover possession quickly and transition at speed highlighted another key element of the Red Bull philosophy coming to life.

Jarrod Carluccio’s disallowed goal in the seventh minute was desperately unlucky, ruled out due to an offside in the build-up. The lead-up play, however, was superb – quick, direct, and yet another glimpse of David Zdrilic’s idealised game model coming to life.

One of the early highlights in the first half was a pair of brilliant defensive interventions from Josh Risdon and Andriano Lebib. Risdon’s crunching tackle on Chilean midfielder Felipe Gallegos set the tone, followed moments later by Lebib’s composed shoulder bump to halt Liam Gillion’s promising attack. These moments, combined with an improved press and seamless transitions, signalled that the Glory players were ready for a fight, fully intent on taking the game to one of the competition’s strongest teams.

The Glory’s goal was nothing short of magnificent. Jaylan Pearman’s strike was an absolute stunner, but its significance extended beyond the scoreboard. Pearman, a product of the club’s Academy, has been outstanding since breaking into the first team, and his joy was infectious; he couldn’t wipe the smile off his face after scoring. In a challenging period for the club, this moment felt like a gift, something every member of the team and every fan deeply cherished.

The second half posed a simple question for Glory – how far are you willing to go to protect the lead and secure a clean sheet? Defensive frailties, particularly at home, have been a recurring criticism of this team, but last night was a different story altogether.

Another standout moment came in the 62nd minute. Goalkeeper Oli Sail made an incredible save to deny Max Mata, and Josh Risdon followed it up with a desperate lunge to block Jesse Randall’s strike. That level of defensive commitment, unseen in recent years, let alone this season, highlighted one thing – if Auckland were going to score, they’d have to produce something extraordinary.

To Auckland’s credit, they were unfortunate not to come away with at least a point. In the final stages of the second half, they threw everything at Glory, with striker Max Mata missing another golden opportunity from point-blank range.

However, in the 93rd minute, Andriano Lebib delivered a moment of brilliance. Displaying extraordinary athleticism, he sprinted from a defensive corner deep in Glory’s half, carrying the ball at blistering speed nearly to Auckland’s box before being brought down by Adama Coulibaly. That moment encapsulated the determination and sheer will that defined Glory’s performance.

For Lebib to execute such an explosive run so late in the game was remarkable. And when the final whistle blew, the elation and joy around HBF Park were palpable. It was evident just how much this win meant to everyone – players, staff, and fans alike.

Reflecting on this match, one word comes to mind – Sisu. This Finnish concept, often translated as strength of will, determination, perseverance, and rational action in the face of adversity, perfectly captures the spirit of the Glory’s performance. Sisu is not fleeting courage but the ability to sustain it over time. Last night, every single Glory player exemplified these traits, maintaining their resolve and determination for the entire 90 minutes.

This is no exaggeration. The Perth Glory have often faced criticism for failing to deliver a cohesive, team-wide effort, but last night’s performance was arguably their best in years – an embodiment of Sisu in action.

The challenge now for David Zdrilic and his players is to harness this momentum. With the taste of winning fresh in their minds, the question is how badly do they want to experience it again? It has been far too long since the Glory secured back-to-back wins, but their upcoming clash against an undermanned Western Sydney Wanderers presents the perfect opportunity. Adding intrigue is the return of former head coach Alen Stajcic to Perth.

The players have proven they are capable of delivering big results. With the bye and new signings on the horizon, this is the moment for the Glory to solidify their progress with another strong performance. And, ideally, a similar result.

All images courtesy of Tom McCarthy.

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