Wanderers deny Popovic winning start in A-League

Other results may allow Popovic to be happier with a point

New Perth coach Tony Popovic denied winning start by former club where he enjoys legendary status

Perth Glory 1 : 1 Western Sydney

by Paul McNeela, Perth WA

Perth Glory and Western Sydney Wanderers shared the spoils as the West Australian side played host to new coach Tony Popovic’s former club.

A first half goal by Glory captain and target man, Andy Keogh, was cancelled out by a clinical finish from Wanderers midfielder Bonevacia on 64 minutes. Popovic and Glory will be left to rue a failure to convert first half pressure into goals denying the new coach a perfect start against his old charges.

Popovic had a decent career as a professional.

As well as 58 caps for the Socceroos, he was centre half for Crystal Palace for 123 games, became their club captain, enjoyed a season in the EPL and served as their assistant coach. But it’s as a coach in the A-League where he made his name.

He became the inaugural coach of today’s visitors in 2012, and lead WSW to become the first Australian club to win the Asian Champions League in 2014 as a club that had only been in the A-League for 2 years.

Both teams had a sluggish start after the long Australian close season but Glory were first to find their shape. Glory were playing 4-4-2 with Keogh assisted by Ferreira up front. Keogh is a no-nonsense Dubliner who learned his craft the hard way plying his trade for perennial English battlers, Scunthorpe United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Millwall before opting for sunnier climes. Portuguese Ferreira showed promise as a youth with Chelsea and Sporting Lisbon but has enjoyed more success in Australia as a former stalwart of Adelaide United and Central Coast Mariners, Usain Bolt’s club. Jason Davidson, the 22 times capped Socceroo left back, took up a left midfield berth.

Perth Oval has a welcoming look

Dropping back to create a 5-man defence when the Wanderers were in possession, Davidson was adept at finding space down the left flank when Glory were on the attack. Popovic must have been pleased with his new recruit’s performance today. He was very unlucky not to score or provide an assist today but he looks like being one of Glory’s most potent attacking threats this campaign once he builds a better understanding with playmaker Kilkenny.

The Wanderers have had a tough time since Popa left them a year ago. They struggled with Spanish coach Josep Gombau who was shipped out after they finished outside the top six, thereby failing to qualify for the finals of the 10-team A-League. Former Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Germany defender Markus Babbel has been drafted in to coach the Wanderers this season.

Babbel imported some Teutonic steel in the shape of Alexander Baumjohann, an attacking midfielder with a strong Bundesliga pedigree including Borussia Moenchengladbach and Kaiserslautern. He linked up well today with last year’s marquee signing Oriel Riera the much-travelled Spanish 6’1” forward.

After a period of sustained Glory pressure, after 26 minutes Kilkenny carved an opening Keogh first shot was saved by Janjetovic but Keogh finished well in netting the rebound.

Davidson and Franjic continued to do great work on the flanks for Glory while the defence stroked the ball around with confidence and Kilkenny seemed to have all the time in the world when on the ball. The Wanderers got more into the game as the second half wore on and they were a much less negative proposition after half time. Babbel presumably alerted them to Davidson’s threat down the left because his opportunities were more limited by World Cup right back Risdon after the break.

The visitors were back on even terms on 65 minutes when Dutch midfielder Bonevacia controlled a speculative direct ball with his first touch and despite the attentions of centre back Mrcela stroked it away sending keeper Reddy the wrong way.

An entertaining 2nd half ensued with both sides trying to bag the three points. Glory got on top again in the last 10 minutes but despite a few decent chances, many created by impressive substitute Ikonomidis, Wanderers dogged defence seemed determined to deny their old boss the dream start he craved.

There were three draws out of five games in round 1.

Last year’s Premiers, Melbourne  Victory, suffered defeat in the Melbourne derby, and contenders Newcastle Jets lost to Wellington in New Zealand, Glory and WSW must therefore both feel a draw is not a disastrous start for the campaign.

Next up for A-League coverage on Prost comes on the 3rd of November when Perth Glory host Brisbane Roar, their bitter rivals since losing the 2012 Grand Final in controversial circumstances.

Perth Glory:
Reddy, Grant, Lowry, Mrcela (Neville, 81), Franjic, Davidson, Juande (Brimmer, 72), Kilkenny, Chianese, Ferreira (Ikonomidis, 66), Keogh.

Western Sydney Wanderers:
Janetovic, Elrich, Hamill, Tongyik, Risdon, Mahzi, Baccus, Bonevacia, Baumjohann (Fitzgerald, 82), Sotirio (Kamau, 73), Riera.

Attendance: 10,206