http://www.thewest.com.au/20031117/sport/soccer/tw-sport-soccer-home-sto115771.html
Pondeljak double sets up Glory's gatecrash
By Jonathan Cook
ADELAIDE
PERTH Glory gatecrashed a party in full swing last night and ended Adelaide United's fairytale start to the National Soccer League season with a 4-1 win at Hindmarsh Stadium.
The NSL's newest team had gone four games without defeat until running into a Glory side whose victory was secured through a Tom Pondeljak double and goals from Bobby Despotovski and Damian Mori.
As predicted, more than 13,000 local fans piled into the ground to lend their support to the home side. But there was only disappointment for them.
Thrashed 6-0 by Parramatta just two weeks ago, Perth took full advantage of the Power's shock loss to Wollongong Wolves on Friday with a performance built on hard work and with a clinical element missing in recent weeks.
Assistant coach Alan Vest said it was only a matter of time before the goals started to flow.
"I thought we scored some very good goals tonight," Vest said. "In other games we've played this season we've had chances and never stuck them away.
"We knew it was going to come and today was the day."
The goals were finished in style, and Despotovski was desperately unlucky not to add a fifth when his wonderful 45m shot crashed against a post with goalkeeper David Scarsella stranded.
By then, the game was all but over after the Glory had scored early, resisted a fight-back and then stepped up a gear to confirm its superiority.
A thrilling two-minute spell, which reaped as many goals, gave the Glory early breathing space.
But after Pondeljak had benefited from space on the edge of the box to drill home the opening goal in the 15th minute, and Mori had added a second just a minute later with a typical driving run and clinical finish, Adelaide fired a swift reply.
There was much to admire in Goran Lozanovski's trickery, which finished with a firm shot that wrecked Jason Petkovic's chance of recording a 106th clean sheet.
Soon after, Jade North was forced to head behind for a corner with Carl Veart ready to swoop and Elias Demoutzidis should have done better with a chance in the 34th minute but shot high and wide.
From both flanks, where the Glory was so ruthlessly exposed against Parramatta, Adelaide looked most dangerous as Lozanovski and Kemp tested Scott Miller and North.
United's aerial bombardment through the middle, though, was dealt with comfortably by Glory captain Shaun Murphy and central defensive partner Mark Byrnes.
The Glory would have been happiest to hear the half-time whistle despite its 2-1 lead, after the initiative had swung Adelaide's way late in the half.
However, it did not take long for the visitors to improve their position after the break.
Just five minutes after the restart, Despotovski scored his fourth goal of the season with a clever finish over Scarsella.
Despotovski played a ball that was intended for Brad Hassell's feet. But when the midfielder was scythed down from behind and the ball continued into the box, the Glory No. 10 reacted quickly and clipped the ball into the corner of the net.
Petkovic saved at Veart's feet in the 71st minute as Adelaide mounted another challenge.
But it was left for Pondeljak, with his fifth goal of the season, to complete the scoring with almost the last kick of the game.
Mori, who played 216 games and scored 128 goals for Adelaide City between 1992 and 2000, said he was disappointed with an element in the crowd.
Though Mori joined Perth after the 1999-2000 season, the fans were keen to remind him they had not forgiven him for the move.
Pondeljak double sets up Glory's gatecrash
By Jonathan Cook
ADELAIDE
PERTH Glory gatecrashed a party in full swing last night and ended Adelaide United's fairytale start to the National Soccer League season with a 4-1 win at Hindmarsh Stadium.
The NSL's newest team had gone four games without defeat until running into a Glory side whose victory was secured through a Tom Pondeljak double and goals from Bobby Despotovski and Damian Mori.
As predicted, more than 13,000 local fans piled into the ground to lend their support to the home side. But there was only disappointment for them.
Thrashed 6-0 by Parramatta just two weeks ago, Perth took full advantage of the Power's shock loss to Wollongong Wolves on Friday with a performance built on hard work and with a clinical element missing in recent weeks.
Assistant coach Alan Vest said it was only a matter of time before the goals started to flow.
"I thought we scored some very good goals tonight," Vest said. "In other games we've played this season we've had chances and never stuck them away.
"We knew it was going to come and today was the day."
The goals were finished in style, and Despotovski was desperately unlucky not to add a fifth when his wonderful 45m shot crashed against a post with goalkeeper David Scarsella stranded.
By then, the game was all but over after the Glory had scored early, resisted a fight-back and then stepped up a gear to confirm its superiority.
A thrilling two-minute spell, which reaped as many goals, gave the Glory early breathing space.
But after Pondeljak had benefited from space on the edge of the box to drill home the opening goal in the 15th minute, and Mori had added a second just a minute later with a typical driving run and clinical finish, Adelaide fired a swift reply.
There was much to admire in Goran Lozanovski's trickery, which finished with a firm shot that wrecked Jason Petkovic's chance of recording a 106th clean sheet.
Soon after, Jade North was forced to head behind for a corner with Carl Veart ready to swoop and Elias Demoutzidis should have done better with a chance in the 34th minute but shot high and wide.
From both flanks, where the Glory was so ruthlessly exposed against Parramatta, Adelaide looked most dangerous as Lozanovski and Kemp tested Scott Miller and North.
United's aerial bombardment through the middle, though, was dealt with comfortably by Glory captain Shaun Murphy and central defensive partner Mark Byrnes.
The Glory would have been happiest to hear the half-time whistle despite its 2-1 lead, after the initiative had swung Adelaide's way late in the half.
However, it did not take long for the visitors to improve their position after the break.
Just five minutes after the restart, Despotovski scored his fourth goal of the season with a clever finish over Scarsella.
Despotovski played a ball that was intended for Brad Hassell's feet. But when the midfielder was scythed down from behind and the ball continued into the box, the Glory No. 10 reacted quickly and clipped the ball into the corner of the net.
Petkovic saved at Veart's feet in the 71st minute as Adelaide mounted another challenge.
But it was left for Pondeljak, with his fifth goal of the season, to complete the scoring with almost the last kick of the game.
Mori, who played 216 games and scored 128 goals for Adelaide City between 1992 and 2000, said he was disappointed with an element in the crowd.
Though Mori joined Perth after the 1999-2000 season, the fans were keen to remind him they had not forgiven him for the move.
