Thread starter
#1
The man is simpley awesome.
http://www.thewest.com.au/20031111/sport/soccer/tw-sport-soccer-home-sto115439.html
Glory in safe hands
By Jonathan Cook
GOALKEEPER Jason Petkovic equalled a National Soccer League record yesterday as Perth Glory ground out a 1-0 win against an unfortunate South Melbourne at Arena Joondalup.
A week after six goals flashed past him in the club's record 6-0 loss against Parramatta Power in Sydney, Petkovic did everything required to earn his 105th career clean sheet.
In keeping South scoreless, he drew level with former Marconi 'keeper Bob Catlin, whose total was achieved in 345 games. Glory's No. 1 will get the chance to surpass Catlin's mark at Adelaide United next Sunday.
Petkovic, who has played 281 NSL games, including 155 for Adelaide City, admitted yesterday's victory felt slightly hollow on the back of the humiliating loss to the Power.
"I didn't really focus on the record," Petkovic said. "We all wanted to get a result and make amends for last week and we did that."
The game, played in energy-sapping conditions, never threatened to burst into life as South showed their concession of just two goals prior to yesterday's match had been no fluke.
The visitors got men behind the ball to break up Glory's attacks and occasionally countered with speed that belied the heat.
But Glory soaked up the pressure and benefited from a refereeing decision to earn the victory.
Bobby Despotovski, who was among Glory's best performers on the day, struck the winner from the penalty spot in the 63rd minute after referee Simon Micallef had spotted Marcus Stergiopoulos' hand hit the ball.
South coach Stuart Munro was unhappy with the decision, though he was not prepared to complain too loudly about the "grey area".
The move that led to the penalty had been nice enough, Matt Horsley crossing to Despotovski, who measured a header down to Tom Pondeljak.
But whether Stergiopoulos stuck out a hand to stop Pondeljak's shot, or the ball was blasted into it, is open to debate.
Micallef had no doubt and Despotovski dispatched his shot to register his third goal of the season.
Once South trailed, it was forced to press forward for openings and probably should have paid more handsomely for its adventure.
Pondeljak twice found himself in a good position with South on the back foot but on both occasions sent his shot towards the trees behind Eugene Galekovic's goal. Midfielder Matthew Bingley's wish was granted when he was named in Glory's starting line-up for the first time since his pre-season move from Newcastle United.
Wayne Srhoj, who had started in each of Glory's previous six games, was not even named as a substitute.
Coach Mich d'Avray said: "I need more from him."
As promised by the coach, Jade North made an immediate return after missing the Parramatta loss because of a hamstring problems. He took his place at the expense of the unfortunate Jamie Coyne.
But it was a while before Glory's defence, breached with such regularity against the Power, was tested by South Melbourne.
After 20 minutes, the visitors troubled Petkovic for the first time when Michael Panopoulos unleashed a stunning strike that was tipped aside.
Twice more in the first half, Petkovic showed safe handling, particularly when Steve Laurie's 41st-minute header dropped just short of the line and the goalkeeper smothered the ball.
But Glory had the best chance of the opening 45 minutes when Despotovski headed on to Damian Mori, who should have done better with a shot that was wide of the target.
Despotovski, dropping deep to great effect, twice sent over excellent crosses that Brad Hassell was unable to convert. The first, after just five minutes, was scuffed wide. In the 37th minute, though, Hassell had a better chance to score but sent his header over.
Glory had the better of the second half as South wilted in the heat.
Despotovski got into a good position in the 60th minute but was prevented from scoring by Galekovic's outstretched leg. Hassell later curled a shot just wide of the target.
D'Avray said he was pleased with the application after last weekend's defeat.
"I am very proud of the players - the way they've bounced back and responded," he said.
He was particularly pleased with Horsley's effort. "His commitment to the cause was outstanding," the coach said.
http://www.thewest.com.au/20031111/sport/soccer/tw-sport-soccer-home-sto115439.html
Glory in safe hands
By Jonathan Cook
GOALKEEPER Jason Petkovic equalled a National Soccer League record yesterday as Perth Glory ground out a 1-0 win against an unfortunate South Melbourne at Arena Joondalup.
A week after six goals flashed past him in the club's record 6-0 loss against Parramatta Power in Sydney, Petkovic did everything required to earn his 105th career clean sheet.
In keeping South scoreless, he drew level with former Marconi 'keeper Bob Catlin, whose total was achieved in 345 games. Glory's No. 1 will get the chance to surpass Catlin's mark at Adelaide United next Sunday.
Petkovic, who has played 281 NSL games, including 155 for Adelaide City, admitted yesterday's victory felt slightly hollow on the back of the humiliating loss to the Power.
"I didn't really focus on the record," Petkovic said. "We all wanted to get a result and make amends for last week and we did that."
The game, played in energy-sapping conditions, never threatened to burst into life as South showed their concession of just two goals prior to yesterday's match had been no fluke.
The visitors got men behind the ball to break up Glory's attacks and occasionally countered with speed that belied the heat.
But Glory soaked up the pressure and benefited from a refereeing decision to earn the victory.
Bobby Despotovski, who was among Glory's best performers on the day, struck the winner from the penalty spot in the 63rd minute after referee Simon Micallef had spotted Marcus Stergiopoulos' hand hit the ball.
South coach Stuart Munro was unhappy with the decision, though he was not prepared to complain too loudly about the "grey area".
The move that led to the penalty had been nice enough, Matt Horsley crossing to Despotovski, who measured a header down to Tom Pondeljak.
But whether Stergiopoulos stuck out a hand to stop Pondeljak's shot, or the ball was blasted into it, is open to debate.
Micallef had no doubt and Despotovski dispatched his shot to register his third goal of the season.
Once South trailed, it was forced to press forward for openings and probably should have paid more handsomely for its adventure.
Pondeljak twice found himself in a good position with South on the back foot but on both occasions sent his shot towards the trees behind Eugene Galekovic's goal. Midfielder Matthew Bingley's wish was granted when he was named in Glory's starting line-up for the first time since his pre-season move from Newcastle United.
Wayne Srhoj, who had started in each of Glory's previous six games, was not even named as a substitute.
Coach Mich d'Avray said: "I need more from him."
As promised by the coach, Jade North made an immediate return after missing the Parramatta loss because of a hamstring problems. He took his place at the expense of the unfortunate Jamie Coyne.
But it was a while before Glory's defence, breached with such regularity against the Power, was tested by South Melbourne.
After 20 minutes, the visitors troubled Petkovic for the first time when Michael Panopoulos unleashed a stunning strike that was tipped aside.
Twice more in the first half, Petkovic showed safe handling, particularly when Steve Laurie's 41st-minute header dropped just short of the line and the goalkeeper smothered the ball.
But Glory had the best chance of the opening 45 minutes when Despotovski headed on to Damian Mori, who should have done better with a shot that was wide of the target.
Despotovski, dropping deep to great effect, twice sent over excellent crosses that Brad Hassell was unable to convert. The first, after just five minutes, was scuffed wide. In the 37th minute, though, Hassell had a better chance to score but sent his header over.
Glory had the better of the second half as South wilted in the heat.
Despotovski got into a good position in the 60th minute but was prevented from scoring by Galekovic's outstretched leg. Hassell later curled a shot just wide of the target.
D'Avray said he was pleased with the application after last weekend's defeat.
"I am very proud of the players - the way they've bounced back and responded," he said.
He was particularly pleased with Horsley's effort. "His commitment to the cause was outstanding," the coach said.
