I’m Back…But Glory Aren’t, Losing 2-1 In NZ

By: Ben | August 16th, 2009

Sorry folks, I’ve been away for the last few weeks, finishing up my time in Europe with a few travels here and there. Long story short, I’m back in Australia and quite excited bout the new A-League season.

But my enthusiasm has been busted a bit by Glory’s stuttering start to the season which has included a 1-0 loss in Adelaide followed by a tough 2-1 loss to Wellington on the road.

I got the chance to watch Glory lose to Wellington on the weekend and I’ve got to say, I’m pretty shattered we didn’t win, or at least get a point. I thought we were good value, but it was the same old story.

It makes me wonder if Glory have made a whole bunch of superficial changes, ie. logo, shirts, big names, but not actually improved where it counts, on the park.

Nevertheless, I felt our performance against Wellington wasn’t bad, but my only issue is what Mile Sterjovski calls our killer instinct, or lack of it.

Here’s how I saw the game. Early on the match started ok, but Victor Sikora pounced on a typical A-League mistake and put Glory ahead. Good start.

But then Chris Coyne and Sikora both had problems (I believe Coyne was ill and Sikora a hip complaint?) and Wellington got on top for 5-10 minutes before we made the substitutions. It cost us, as Paul Ifill (who looked pretty handy) smashed in a close-range header from old Glory boy Leo Bertos’s cross.

Not much really happened for the remainder of the half, but we started the second stanza the better, and looked pretty fluid passing the ball around with Jacob Burns looking good alongside Wayne Srhoj.

And sub Todd Howarth was getting alot of joy down the left flank out of Phoenix RB Manny Muscat and we were looking threatening.

Jukic shot over, Sterjovski hit the crossbar, Howarth smashed one into the woodwork and then late on Wellington went down the other end and Bertos fired in a deflected free-kick for the winner.

It was pretty guttering stuff and not the result I was hoping for. 9th after 2 rounds doesn’t bode well, but if we can beat Newcastle at home next week, I think all will be forgiven as the team does need time to get it together. Hopefully Sikora and Coyne will be right for that one.