Victory managed to walk from Perth three points better off and with an exciting attacking prospect in Jesse Makarounas in tow. A Scott Jamieson own goal proved decisive, what happened and why? (nb the title of this blog was found by a highly creative Victory fan on twitter, follow him at @MVictoryFan)

Victory

Playing out
This was the most alarming thing to take from the performance. With the midfield relying on quick service from the defence to play the game on their terms, this was poor against Glory, thus allowing Perth to apply all the pressure and attacking momentum. Just saying it all, have a look at Coe’s shanked clearing pass to Adama Traore in the second half.

Retreat
This was fraught with plenty of risk, any time you invite Smeltz, Dodd and Miller on, there is usually trouble. There wasn’t a press to be seen, instead more of a retreat and organisation, but it worked. Victory settled into a defensive shape and ended up getting two slices of luck with Bas van den Brink’s injury and Josh Risdon’s sending off. It is funny how luck goes your way when you persist.

Forced own goal
That combination of Marco Rojas and Archie Thompson figured again in an eventually decisive way. Unfortunately for Perth, Scott Jamieson tracked the run of Thompson; but just could not clear it. Quick ball movement on the break led up to the goal - again, it is funny how luck goes your way when you persist.

Dangerous breaks
Victory are a team that won’t let you rest no matter how good or how far up the park you are. Rojas and Thompson guarantee it and that was obvious in the goal. Having the moments where they could have had a scoring opportunity, the finishing left plenty to be desired. Not to mention Danny Vukovic pulled off saves to deny the visitors.

 

Ugly, but who cares?
For a team that was missing three of its starting XI (Finkler, Ansell, Celeski) and away in Perth where they have a bad record, this result was arguably Victory’s best of the season. Denying their hosts clear-cut scoring opportunities for most part, a decent defensive shape that has been seen sporadically finally held up. This is the type of performance that sets up seasons, earns the important points and has needed to be seen from Melbourne.

Glory

Miller pulling strings
Albeit not under much pressure for most of the 90, Liam Miller did as he pleased in midfield and led many of the Perth attacks. Holding onto the ball and distributing, Miller was key to Perth driving forward in the second half. His touch and passing are very much what he is at Perth for. Along with Burns, he forms the strongest part of the XI.

Aggressive
When at their best, Perth proves the toughest trip for most A-League sides. The heat, hostile crowd, an ‘in your face’ team looking to bludgeon their opposition into submission and a striker that put away whatever came his way saw a successful run to last season’s grand final. This hasn’t been the case this season, and it was evident against Victory. While the tough nature is very much the hallmark, a mix of injuries, suspensions and ageing legs has prevented the results as last year. That fear and reputation is slowly slipping away, it begs the question on whether Fergie needs to change it? as the A-League standard keeps growing, Perth risk falling away from the rest of the league.

Risdon’s sending off
Having had to handle both Rojas and Thompson throughout, Risdon was on the front foot and aggressive. Whilst the second yellow itself was a harsh decision that shouldn’t have been given, Risdon had to be careful after a series of fouls that led to his first yellow. Instead he wasn’t, didn’t change his approach and got punished for it. It capped off Perth’s frustrating night.

Huff and puff…
But they didn’t blow the house down, as Mark Bosnich and Mark Rudan accurately summed it up post game. Threatening when far down and delivering crosses, Glory couldn’t break through the visitors' defence. No matter the possession in dangerous areas, Victory didn’t look like delivering the equaliser.

Shaken up mid-game
In fairness to Ian Ferguson, van den Brink’s injury and Risdon’s red didn’t leave much for him to look to. An attacking bench of Ryo Nagai, Chris Harold and Nick Ward provided no defensive reinforcements, leaving Dean Heffernan out of position at centre-half. An extra number on the bench would give coaches more flexibility, time for it to happen.