Oppressive conditions and an experienced Perth Glory squad have condemned the Brisbane Roar to a 2-1 loss in the National Youth League at the Clipsal Stadium, Perth.
Oppressive conditions and an experienced Perth Glory squad have condemned the Brisbane Roar to a 2-1 loss in the National Youth League at the Clipsal Stadium, Perth.
Battling in temperatures close to 40 degree-s Celsius, the Glory-s contingent of first team players proved too hot handle for the Roar youngsters.
Glory-s Andrija Jukic scored the opener midway through the first half, before Serbian star Branko Jelic sealed the points with a superb free kick.
Tim Smits pulled a goal back for the Roar late in the match, but it was too little too late for the visitors, outclassed by the Glory-s superior qualities.
Roar coach Rado Vidosic commended his squad-s brave effort in the heat, but knew the task was a tough ask against the table topping Glory.
“In very, very hard conditions the boys played to the best of their abilities,” Vidosic said.
“Fitness wise we lasted the whole game … so it-s not that we gave up or didn-t try.
“They were just a little too strong, their A-league players came down and did all the damage.”
Vidosic singled out goalkeeper Matt Acton for special praise, the Roar gloveman pulling out several top class saves to keep his team in the contest.
“He had an outstanding game … he saved another four or five goals that they would usually score,” Vidosic said.
“If it wasn-t for him, the result would have been much, much more in their favour.”
Vidosic said the result was indicative of the Roar-s season – youthful quality against the steel of experience.
“I believe this is the difference between us and the other teams,” he said.
“When we played at home against the Central Coast Mariners they had Nik Mrdja, they had Macallister, they had Crowell and they had Shane Huke.
“That-s why these teams end up beating us, because they have more experience on the park.”
With the Roar-s first team season now over, Vidosic was hopeful of adding more stability to his squad ahead of the grudge match against Gold Coast United at Spencer Park this weekend.
National Youth League: Round 24
Sunday 14 February 2010
Clipsal Stadium Inglewood, Perth
Perth Glory: 2 (Jukic 29-, Jelic 79-)
Brisbane Roar: 1 (Smits 81-)
Perth Glory: 30. Aleks VRTESKI, 2.Ryan PEARSON, 3.Steve HESKETH (c), 4. Brent GRIFFTHS, 5. Joshua RISDON, 6. Dean EVANS, 7. Cameron EDWARDS, 10. Glen TRIFIRO, 12. Reece VITTIGLIA, 14. Branko JELIC, 21. Hayden DOYLE
Substitutes used: 8. Andrija JUKIC, 9. Anthony SKORICH, 11 Tommy AMPHLETT
Yellow Cards: Doyle, Amphlett
Brisbane Roar: 1. Matthew ACTON, 2. Matthew BYRNE, 3. Alistair QUINN, 4. Michael RYAN, 5. Matthew MUNDY, 6. Isaka CERNAK, 9. Tyler THURTELL, 11. Joshua McVEY (c), 12. Kennth DOUGALL, 15. Antony SCHIAVO, 16.Tim SMITS,
Substitutes used: 8. Jordan FARINA, 13. Daniel TESORO, Albert EDWARD
