Kosta Barbarouses marked his 350th appearance in the Isuzu UTE A-League with a disappointing loss as Perth Glory, who secured the wooden spoon, defeated Wellington Phoenix 2-0 at Sky Stadium, thanks to a brace from Adam Taggart.
With only their pride at stake, Perth Glory showcased far more attacking threat in the first half. They broke the deadlock in the 34th minute when Taggart produced a stunning curled effort to give them a 1-0 lead.
The visitors created several opportunities to extend their advantage, finally succeeding in stoppage time when Taggart scored again, delicately lifting the ball over Oluwayemi for his second and tenth of the season, concluding the match at 2-0.
Despite already being confirmed as the bottom team for the upcoming 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League season, Glory concluded their campaign on a high note with only their fourth win of the season, celebrated in front of a enthusiastic crowd of travelling fans.
Wellington, on the other hand, missed the opportunity to climb to 10th on the ladder after suffering their 14th defeat this season.
Both teams will now head to the Australia Cup Playoffs in Darwin in 10 days, with Wellington facing Brisbane Roar and Perth going up against Central Coast Mariners.
It has been a challenging season for the Phoenix at Sky Stadium, but the home crowd rose to their feet before kick-off to honour A-League legend Kosta Barbarouses, making him just the sixth player in the league’s history to reach the 350-game milestone.
On the contrary, Perth Glory, despite arriving in Wellington already confirmed as wooden spooners, came out aggressively and created several opportunities to score early on.
In the eighth minute, Glory midfielder Luke Amos fired a shot that struck the side-netting, leaving Phoenix goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi on edge.
Oluwayemi made a crucial save just two minutes later, denying Glory’s Jaylan Pearman when he broke through on goal, leaving Taggart visibly frustrated that his teammate didn’t pass for an easy finish.
The home side excited the crowd in the 14th minute as Hideki Ishige’s close-range shot went off target following impressive build-up play near the Glory box.
The goalkeeper then produced another impressive save, this time parrying away Pearman’s fierce strike from the edge of the box, preventing the visitors from taking the lead.
However, the visitors broke through in the 34th minute, with their captain scoring his 85th goal for the club in style.
Taggart timed his run perfectly to stay onside, skilfully taking control of Yuto Misao’s pass, sidestepping a flailing Isaac Hughes, and slotting the ball beyond Oluwayemi for a 1-0 advantage.
Glory thought they had doubled their lead shortly after with Pearman tapping in his fifth goal, but a VAR review saw the effort ruled out for offside against Trent Ostler, despite a touch from a Wellington defender on the ball.
In the second half, like the first, Perth continued to create the better chances, and Taggart nearly scored again in the 57th minute. However, he was unable to connect properly with a deflected ball in the box.
The home side enjoyed considerable possession but failed to convert, crafting their best opportunity in the 79th minute.
Corban Piper headed a long ball down to Barbarouses, but the veteran’s half-volley sailed just inches wide of the far post.
Looking to seal the match, Glory’s Khoa Ngo was stopped by Oluwayemi, who made a brilliant save, deflecting the substitute’s powerful attempt away from goal.
The visitors later added the finishing touch deep into stoppage time with Taggart rounding off a well-executed team play by chipping the ball over Oluwayemi, finalising the score at 2-0.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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