http://www.thewest.com.au/20030929/sport/soccer/tw-sport-soccer-home-sto113567.html
THE coaches' box at Arena Joondalup has a strong bench at the front - which is just as well.
For 80-plus minutes, Perth Glory coach Mich d'Avray belted it in frustration as his side wasted the few clear chances it made.
For the final eight minutes, he was hammering it in delight as his National Soccer League champion rattled in three late goals to open the season with a 3-0 win over gallant Melbourne Knights.
Like yesterday's spring weather, it had been a long time coming as the Glory's group of comparative strangers huffed and puffed but did not even dent the baby Knights' wall, never mind knock it over.
D'Avray admitted "there was nothing else to hit" when asked about the animation in his high perch in the stand.
"But there were factors," he said. "It was not Perth Oval, it was our first game and I have said all along it will take us time to gel."
Knights coach Ian Dobson claimed his young team deserved a draw. "But we will have learnt from this," he said.
D'Avray felt his new boys - captain Shaun Murphy, Wayne Srhoj, Jade North and Tom Pondeljak - were "steady" and said they would all do better. Pick of the bunch were Pondeljak, voted man of the match, and Murphy, who will upset a few with his constant shouting but improve most of those around him.
Almost inevitably, however, it was tried and true Damian Mori who led the charge to three points.
He missed a penalty in the 52nd minute, hit the bar from 5m but still opened the scoring - and the floodgates - in the 82nd minute with a typical scrambled effort, the sort of goal that cannot be coached to a player.
Pondeljak grabbed the second with four minutes left and substitute Adrian Caceres completed the scoring in the 89th minute. Despite all his optimism, Scott Miller's damaged knee kept him out of the line-up and gave a start to North.
The Knights absorbed pressure and tried to hit on the break. The Glory put on the pressure but broke down in the penalty box.
On half-time, Mori twisted, turned, wriggled and fired in a fine low shot from the edge of the box. But it was the Glory's best effort in the first 45 minutes and from its best player, with the creative Pondeljak.
Mori worked ceaselessly but he and Nick Mrdja misread each other's intentions at the vital moment.
Srhoj did read Mori in the 21st minute and sent him clear. The striker went round goalkeeper Martin John but the angle was too tight and he shot wide.
That really was it from the Glory in a half where the Knights could have scored when a fierce drive from Bill Natsioulas carried so much power that Jason Petkovic, in the Glory goal, saw it burst through his hands and over for a corner.
That was in 20 minutes and Petkovic was grateful. In 36 minutes he was demanding an apology, retribution and sympathy when former Glory player Peter Buljan bundled the keeper and ball over the line to gain a corner. Petkovic was so sure he had been wronged, and a foul should have been called, that he continued a running argument with referee Eddie Lennie and was a few seconds away from being booked.
The second half started with more life and Matt Horsley forced John into a full-length save to touch away a low shot for a corner.
Suddenly, the Glory looked like the titleholder and when Mrdja and Mori got on the same wavelength, Mori was chopped down by John as he got set to score.
Booking first. Penalty second. Save third. John moved forward as Mori took the spot kick but he and the Knights got away with it as Mori put his shot too near the keeper.
Then Mori hit the bar from 5m off a Mrdja pass and the Glory looked better.
Murphy, however, was booked for a late tackle on Steve Pantelidis as the big Knight moved forward.
Then Glory sprung to life, finally matching the beautiful day and colourful atmosphere.
Jamie Coyne took a throw-in and it was as good as a corner, right into the heart of the box. When the defence did not clear, Mori pounced to squeeze it home at the post.
Four minutes later, Pondeljak jumped on a loose clearance and rifled home, low into the corner. With one minute left, Caceres, who had come on for Brad Hassell in the 82nd minute and almost scored with his first touch, clipped the advancing John to make the scoreline better than 80 minutes of the game.
THE coaches' box at Arena Joondalup has a strong bench at the front - which is just as well.
For 80-plus minutes, Perth Glory coach Mich d'Avray belted it in frustration as his side wasted the few clear chances it made.
For the final eight minutes, he was hammering it in delight as his National Soccer League champion rattled in three late goals to open the season with a 3-0 win over gallant Melbourne Knights.
Like yesterday's spring weather, it had been a long time coming as the Glory's group of comparative strangers huffed and puffed but did not even dent the baby Knights' wall, never mind knock it over.
D'Avray admitted "there was nothing else to hit" when asked about the animation in his high perch in the stand.
"But there were factors," he said. "It was not Perth Oval, it was our first game and I have said all along it will take us time to gel."
Knights coach Ian Dobson claimed his young team deserved a draw. "But we will have learnt from this," he said.
D'Avray felt his new boys - captain Shaun Murphy, Wayne Srhoj, Jade North and Tom Pondeljak - were "steady" and said they would all do better. Pick of the bunch were Pondeljak, voted man of the match, and Murphy, who will upset a few with his constant shouting but improve most of those around him.
Almost inevitably, however, it was tried and true Damian Mori who led the charge to three points.
He missed a penalty in the 52nd minute, hit the bar from 5m but still opened the scoring - and the floodgates - in the 82nd minute with a typical scrambled effort, the sort of goal that cannot be coached to a player.
Pondeljak grabbed the second with four minutes left and substitute Adrian Caceres completed the scoring in the 89th minute. Despite all his optimism, Scott Miller's damaged knee kept him out of the line-up and gave a start to North.
The Knights absorbed pressure and tried to hit on the break. The Glory put on the pressure but broke down in the penalty box.
On half-time, Mori twisted, turned, wriggled and fired in a fine low shot from the edge of the box. But it was the Glory's best effort in the first 45 minutes and from its best player, with the creative Pondeljak.
Mori worked ceaselessly but he and Nick Mrdja misread each other's intentions at the vital moment.
Srhoj did read Mori in the 21st minute and sent him clear. The striker went round goalkeeper Martin John but the angle was too tight and he shot wide.
That really was it from the Glory in a half where the Knights could have scored when a fierce drive from Bill Natsioulas carried so much power that Jason Petkovic, in the Glory goal, saw it burst through his hands and over for a corner.
That was in 20 minutes and Petkovic was grateful. In 36 minutes he was demanding an apology, retribution and sympathy when former Glory player Peter Buljan bundled the keeper and ball over the line to gain a corner. Petkovic was so sure he had been wronged, and a foul should have been called, that he continued a running argument with referee Eddie Lennie and was a few seconds away from being booked.
The second half started with more life and Matt Horsley forced John into a full-length save to touch away a low shot for a corner.
Suddenly, the Glory looked like the titleholder and when Mrdja and Mori got on the same wavelength, Mori was chopped down by John as he got set to score.
Booking first. Penalty second. Save third. John moved forward as Mori took the spot kick but he and the Knights got away with it as Mori put his shot too near the keeper.
Then Mori hit the bar from 5m off a Mrdja pass and the Glory looked better.
Murphy, however, was booked for a late tackle on Steve Pantelidis as the big Knight moved forward.
Then Glory sprung to life, finally matching the beautiful day and colourful atmosphere.
Jamie Coyne took a throw-in and it was as good as a corner, right into the heart of the box. When the defence did not clear, Mori pounced to squeeze it home at the post.
Four minutes later, Pondeljak jumped on a loose clearance and rifled home, low into the corner. With one minute left, Caceres, who had come on for Brad Hassell in the 82nd minute and almost scored with his first touch, clipped the advancing John to make the scoreline better than 80 minutes of the game.
http://www.bobby10.com
THE coaches' box at Arena Joondalup has a strong bench at the front - which is just as well.
For 80-plus minutes, Perth Glory coach Mich d'Avray belted it in frustration as his side wasted the few clear chances it made.
For the final eight minutes, he was hammering it in delight as his National Soccer League champion rattled in three late goals to open the season with a 3-0 win over gallant Melbourne Knights.
Like yesterday's spring weather, it had been a long time coming as the Glory's group of comparative strangers huffed and puffed but did not even dent the baby Knights' wall, never mind knock it over.
D'Avray admitted "there was nothing else to hit" when asked about the animation in his high perch in the stand.
"But there were factors," he said. "It was not Perth Oval, it was our first game and I have said all along it will take us time to gel."
Knights coach Ian Dobson claimed his young team deserved a draw. "But we will have learnt from this," he said.
D'Avray felt his new boys - captain Shaun Murphy, Wayne Srhoj, Jade North and Tom Pondeljak - were "steady" and said they would all do better. Pick of the bunch were Pondeljak, voted man of the match, and Murphy, who will upset a few with his constant shouting but improve most of those around him.
Almost inevitably, however, it was tried and true Damian Mori who led the charge to three points.
He missed a penalty in the 52nd minute, hit the bar from 5m but still opened the scoring - and the floodgates - in the 82nd minute with a typical scrambled effort, the sort of goal that cannot be coached to a player.
Pondeljak grabbed the second with four minutes left and substitute Adrian Caceres completed the scoring in the 89th minute. Despite all his optimism, Scott Miller's damaged knee kept him out of the line-up and gave a start to North.
The Knights absorbed pressure and tried to hit on the break. The Glory put on the pressure but broke down in the penalty box.
On half-time, Mori twisted, turned, wriggled and fired in a fine low shot from the edge of the box. But it was the Glory's best effort in the first 45 minutes and from its best player, with the creative Pondeljak.
Mori worked ceaselessly but he and Nick Mrdja misread each other's intentions at the vital moment.
Srhoj did read Mori in the 21st minute and sent him clear. The striker went round goalkeeper Martin John but the angle was too tight and he shot wide.
That really was it from the Glory in a half where the Knights could have scored when a fierce drive from Bill Natsioulas carried so much power that Jason Petkovic, in the Glory goal, saw it burst through his hands and over for a corner.
That was in 20 minutes and Petkovic was grateful. In 36 minutes he was demanding an apology, retribution and sympathy when former Glory player Peter Buljan bundled the keeper and ball over the line to gain a corner. Petkovic was so sure he had been wronged, and a foul should have been called, that he continued a running argument with referee Eddie Lennie and was a few seconds away from being booked.
The second half started with more life and Matt Horsley forced John into a full-length save to touch away a low shot for a corner.
Suddenly, the Glory looked like the titleholder and when Mrdja and Mori got on the same wavelength, Mori was chopped down by John as he got set to score.
Booking first. Penalty second. Save third. John moved forward as Mori took the spot kick but he and the Knights got away with it as Mori put his shot too near the keeper.
Then Mori hit the bar from 5m off a Mrdja pass and the Glory looked better.
Murphy, however, was booked for a late tackle on Steve Pantelidis as the big Knight moved forward.
Then Glory sprung to life, finally matching the beautiful day and colourful atmosphere.
Jamie Coyne took a throw-in and it was as good as a corner, right into the heart of the box. When the defence did not clear, Mori pounced to squeeze it home at the post.
Four minutes later, Pondeljak jumped on a loose clearance and rifled home, low into the corner. With one minute left, Caceres, who had come on for Brad Hassell in the 82nd minute and almost scored with his first touch, clipped the advancing John to make the scoreline better than 80 minutes of the game.
THE coaches' box at Arena Joondalup has a strong bench at the front - which is just as well.
For 80-plus minutes, Perth Glory coach Mich d'Avray belted it in frustration as his side wasted the few clear chances it made.
For the final eight minutes, he was hammering it in delight as his National Soccer League champion rattled in three late goals to open the season with a 3-0 win over gallant Melbourne Knights.
Like yesterday's spring weather, it had been a long time coming as the Glory's group of comparative strangers huffed and puffed but did not even dent the baby Knights' wall, never mind knock it over.
D'Avray admitted "there was nothing else to hit" when asked about the animation in his high perch in the stand.
"But there were factors," he said. "It was not Perth Oval, it was our first game and I have said all along it will take us time to gel."
Knights coach Ian Dobson claimed his young team deserved a draw. "But we will have learnt from this," he said.
D'Avray felt his new boys - captain Shaun Murphy, Wayne Srhoj, Jade North and Tom Pondeljak - were "steady" and said they would all do better. Pick of the bunch were Pondeljak, voted man of the match, and Murphy, who will upset a few with his constant shouting but improve most of those around him.
Almost inevitably, however, it was tried and true Damian Mori who led the charge to three points.
He missed a penalty in the 52nd minute, hit the bar from 5m but still opened the scoring - and the floodgates - in the 82nd minute with a typical scrambled effort, the sort of goal that cannot be coached to a player.
Pondeljak grabbed the second with four minutes left and substitute Adrian Caceres completed the scoring in the 89th minute. Despite all his optimism, Scott Miller's damaged knee kept him out of the line-up and gave a start to North.
The Knights absorbed pressure and tried to hit on the break. The Glory put on the pressure but broke down in the penalty box.
On half-time, Mori twisted, turned, wriggled and fired in a fine low shot from the edge of the box. But it was the Glory's best effort in the first 45 minutes and from its best player, with the creative Pondeljak.
Mori worked ceaselessly but he and Nick Mrdja misread each other's intentions at the vital moment.
Srhoj did read Mori in the 21st minute and sent him clear. The striker went round goalkeeper Martin John but the angle was too tight and he shot wide.
That really was it from the Glory in a half where the Knights could have scored when a fierce drive from Bill Natsioulas carried so much power that Jason Petkovic, in the Glory goal, saw it burst through his hands and over for a corner.
That was in 20 minutes and Petkovic was grateful. In 36 minutes he was demanding an apology, retribution and sympathy when former Glory player Peter Buljan bundled the keeper and ball over the line to gain a corner. Petkovic was so sure he had been wronged, and a foul should have been called, that he continued a running argument with referee Eddie Lennie and was a few seconds away from being booked.
The second half started with more life and Matt Horsley forced John into a full-length save to touch away a low shot for a corner.
Suddenly, the Glory looked like the titleholder and when Mrdja and Mori got on the same wavelength, Mori was chopped down by John as he got set to score.
Booking first. Penalty second. Save third. John moved forward as Mori took the spot kick but he and the Knights got away with it as Mori put his shot too near the keeper.
Then Mori hit the bar from 5m off a Mrdja pass and the Glory looked better.
Murphy, however, was booked for a late tackle on Steve Pantelidis as the big Knight moved forward.
Then Glory sprung to life, finally matching the beautiful day and colourful atmosphere.
Jamie Coyne took a throw-in and it was as good as a corner, right into the heart of the box. When the defence did not clear, Mori pounced to squeeze it home at the post.
Four minutes later, Pondeljak jumped on a loose clearance and rifled home, low into the corner. With one minute left, Caceres, who had come on for Brad Hassell in the 82nd minute and almost scored with his first touch, clipped the advancing John to make the scoreline better than 80 minutes of the game.
http://www.bobby10.com