It wasn’t one for the ages, but coach Tony Popovic goes home happy after Perth Glory kept a clean sheet in Saturday night's scoreless draw with Melbourne City at AAMI Park.
The result keeps Glory four points clear of the chasing pack and in pole position for silverware for the first time in the A-League era.
After last round's 4-3 win against his former club, Western Sydney Wanderers, Popovic was pleased to keep the home side goalless.
“I think it was a very good away performance,” he told Fox Sports post-match.
“In the end there was some very good away chances – we didn’t take them – but overall we looked solid, we looked strong and we take a good point away from home.”
A title-winning coach Wanderers, Popovic has urged Perth to “embrace” the pressure that comes with being league favourites, especially after City looked happy to settle for the draw at home.
“I think it’s a good problem to have,” he said. “We came here and listened to Melbourne City saying that they’re the underdogs for this game.
"I think it’s great that we’re viewed in that way. Okay, that’s an expectation that is put on us - I don’t think that’s pressure. I think you should enjoy that as a club, you should enjoy that as a group of players. We should embrace that.
“If we’re in this position every year, and coming to Melbourne and the opposition are deemed as underdogs, then I’ll take that every day of the week.”
Glory now head home to prepare for their match against Adelaide United on Wednesday.
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