Perth Glory 2-2 Canberra United (10/02/24)
By Ben Carey
Above: Michelle Heyman was influential again for Canberra United. Photo: Canberra United.
Canberra United played out an enthralling 2-2 draw with their hosts, Perth Glory, on a hot Saturday evening in the west. The draw sees Canberra United finally get off the bottom of the table, squeezing just ahead of Adelaide United on goal difference. Perth Glory, who started the season so strongly, are now on a winless streak of six matches. Their last victory came at the tail end of 2023.
It was a frantic start to proceedings, both sides playing high intensity, attacking football. But it was Canberra who were the first to exploit the opposition’s defence. Just before the 10-minute mark, right after a Perth attack, Canberra surged forward. Vesna Milivojević passed out to Nikki Flannery, who hit a silky-smooth ball across the box. Michelle Heyman was waiting in front of goals to tap it in.
Perth Glory were able to assert themselves into the match more as the first half continued though, and it wasn’t too long before it paid off. The 36th minute saw some great build up play from Perth Glory, consisting of excellent positioning and quick passing. Sophia Sakalis opened up the Canberra defence and whipped a perfectly weighted cross into the box, which was beautifully brought down by Millie Farrow to the feet of Susan Phonsongkham, who finished the chance in a clinical fashion.
Just before the stroke of halftime though, Canberra struck againto reclaim the lead. Another great pass from Flannery set up Heyman once again, who struck the ball first time and thumped it into the back of Perth’s net. Heyman made it 12 for the season, and 106 for her career, truly outrageous numbers! She also managed to put some daylight between her, Lowe, Bolden, and Milivojević (who are sitting on nine goals) in the race for the 23/24 Golden Boot award.
Perth came into the second half with a renewed vigour and intent, putting together a number of sustained attacks on Canberra’s goals, but the final product was lacking. It seemed like the match was heading toward a fairly straightforward 2-1 upset, but things began to pick up again about 15 minutes before the end of regulation time. A foul by a Canberra player, right on the edge of the 18-yard box, was protested by the Glory, who insisted that the foul took place inside the box. Honestly, they had a pretty strong case. A penalty probably should have been awarded, but instead a free kick was given.
Perth kept pressing and two minutes into stoppage time, they finally found their equaliser. Perth was surging forward, desperate to get another goal. A very good attempt by Farrow was thwarted, but immediately after, Izzy Dalton, took an incredible shot from about 30 yards out and dinked it over the head of Chloe Lincoln.
Just before the end of stoppage time, there was another questionable foul in the box, down the other end this time. A foul against an onrushing Milivojević had Canberra up in arms in protest. But nothing was awarded, and soon the final whistle blew.
Canberra United will play the dreaded Sydney FC next Saturday, meanwhile Perth Glory will take on Central Coast Mariners next Sunday.
Teams: PERTH GLORY (4-2-4): Aquino, Johnston, Anton, Cowart, Rigby, Lowry, Dalton, Sakalis, Farrow, Phonsongkham, Quezada. Substitutes: James, Cassidy, Foletta, Green, Hoarau.
Scorers: Phonsongkham 35’, Dalton 90+2’.
CANBERRA UNITED (4-2-3-1): Lincoln, Grove, Clark, Clough, Bertolissio, McKenzie, Milivojević, Jackson, Stanic-Floody, Flannery, Heyman. Substitutes: Christopherson, Ilijoski, Majstorovic, Skelly, Whittal.
Scorers: Heyman 9’, 44’.
Referee: Rebecca Durcau.
Attendance: TBD.
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