A hectic end-to-end game at Macedonia Park on Sunday saw Western United twice come from behind to beat Perth Glory 3-2 and maintain their 100% record for the season.
The win puts United in third spot behind Melbourne City and Sydney FC. All three have 15 points, but Melbourne City and Sydney FC have a superior goal difference.
On the other hand, Glory drops to ninth. They have a mountain to climb if they are to secure a spot in the top four for the first time since 2018-19.
This game was played at a frantic pace and there was not a lot for the football purist to become excited by as both teams were guilty of poor passing in the windy conditions. However, what the game lacked in technical levels it more than made up for in entertainment as neither side was prepared to defend with any conviction.
Glory opened the scoring with probably the best move of the game when Sofia Sakalis gained possession high up the pitch in the seventh minute and rolled a lovely pass towards Cyera Hintzen. The league’s highest assist maker cut the ball back to fellow American Rylee Baisden, who tucked the ball away to record her fifth goal of the season and remain top of the Golden Boot race.
That lead only lasted 10 minutes as United hit back with an equaliser on 17 minutes. A corner kick from the left was whipped in and Glory keeper Sarah Langman was forced to make a sharp save from a powerful header by Sydney Cummings. She diverted the ball onto the bar, but United’s Hannah Keane reacted quickest to slot the ball home.
Glory regained the lead in the 53rd minute when Hana Lowry showed great strength and persistence to hold off the Western United defence, calmly passing the ball into the net, but with the wind behind them United built up a head of steam and it was no real surprise when they equalised via Chloe Logarzo in the 67th minute.
There was still some end-to-end attacking which kept the 700-strong crowd on its feet. United prevailed when, in the 86th minute, a free kick from outside the box in a central area caused problems for the Glory defence. Langman could only palm the ball into the path of Keane and her shot on goal was turned into her own net by the unfortunate Demi Koulizakis.
Yellow cards and penalty shouts
As this was the first encounter between these two teams in A-League Women history, there was no reason to believe there would be any sort of ill feeling. However, as the game progressed things became decidedly feisty between the players and both sets of coaching staff, as decisions given by referee Caitlin Williams seemed to infuriate both sides. With 28 fouls and five yellow cards, Williams was certainly kept busy, and she was no favourite of Perth Glory with two calls inside two minutes late in the first half.
The first occurred in the 41st minute when Sakalis found herself one on one with United goalkeeper Hilary Beall inside the box. The striker’s touch deserted her at the vital moment as she tried to round the keeper, and instead of trying to reach the ball she opted instead for a rather poor attempt at a dive to try and win a penalty. The only people convinced there had been any contact were the Glory bench, and they became highly animated when no penalty was awarded, a free kick was given for simulation and Sakalis was rightly booked.
Just two minutes later they were even angrier when Hintzen ran into space outside the area and was confronted by the onrushing Beall. Hintzen won the race to the ball and managed to get a shot off before being clattered by her countrywoman. There was uproar from the Glory bench when Williams decided that a yellow card was the only punishment for Beall and things were threatening to get a little out of hand as Glory players surrounded the official, begging her to upgrade the punishment.
This was definitely one for VAR, but as there is none in this league the players and coaches will have to settle for the age-old maxim that the referee’s decision is final.
Western United are no flash in the pan
Before the season started few fans were thinking that the league newcomers would have a 100% record through their first five games. However, Western United’s core played at Calder United in NPL Victoria, forging a strong team spirit. Add this to high-quality recruits such as Chloe Logarzo and American World Cup winner Jessica McDonald, and you can see why they are a match for anyone in the league. Coach Mark Torcaso has them playing a style of football that is different from many teams, as they play rapid counter-attacking football, but United can still maintain the ball in tight areas when required. On Sunday, they showed the fighting abilities needed to be successful and in Hannah Keane they have a power forward who will be a handful for every defence she faces.
Glory’s defensive problems at home
For the third home game in a row, Glory allowed their opponents to score two or more goals. They now have the second-worst defensive record in the league – 14 conceded, nine of them in the four games played at Macedonia Park. Two of the three on Sunday came from set pieces, which would have infuriated coach Alex Epakis given that United are known for being dangerous from corners and free kicks.
In his post-match comments, Epakis said, “We weren’t perfect, but we’re getting punished for not being perfect.” This was a strange statement as no team has ever had a perfect game, and there were mistakes aplenty from both teams on Sunday. The issue for Glory is not that they are making mistakes, but their mistakes are occurring in vital areas of the pitch and at vital times, which suggests a lack of game management and composure.
With the clock showing 86 minutes on Sunday and scores still level it was vital that they not allow United a chance to score from a set piece. However, a poor challenge in a key area led to a free kick which ultimately produced the winning goal. There was still time to get an equaliser, but a badly timed run by a Glory forward into an offside area halted one promising attack, whilst another attack broke down as the result of a booking issued to a Glory player for a rash challenge, allowing United to run the clock down.
Cyera Hintzen is having another fine season
Glory’s golden boot winner from last season, Cyera Hintzen, is enjoying another fine campaign in the purple shirt and another assist on Sunday means she is now the league leader with four to her name. Her pullback for Baisden’s opening goal was perfectly weighted and she was also integral in Glory’s second, showing tenacity to contest possession in the United area, leading to Lowry’s goal.
Hintzen was a constant menace for the United defence all afternoon and her immediate opponent, Sydney Cummings, was given a yellow card in the 75th minute as she had to drag Hintzen by the shirt to prevent her from breaking free.
Chloe Logarzo is staking her claim for a World Cup spot
Coming on as a 59th minute substitute with the score at 2-1 in favour of Glory, Chloe Logarzo took just over 15 minutes to make her mark on the game, converting a lovely cross from McDonald to level the score. Logarzo has yet to start a game this season – despite this, the Matilda has scored three goals in five substitute appearances. Western United coach Mark Torcaso spoke about the need to manage her playing time in his post-match comments:
“Chloe wanted to start (on New Year’s Day), but she has a few weeks probably to go yet. She was ready today, but we are looking after her. We hadn’t lost a game going into today, so we’ve got to make sure we owe the players who are doing a job. Chloe is a fighter but she understands where she is at. She is driven about being ready for the World Cup.”
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