Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory went the distance in Wednesday night’s FFA Cup Play-Off but, it was Jerrad Dyson’s penalty heroics that helped the boys in blue progress to the next round.
Only 37 seconds into the game, Lleyton Brooks caught Perth’s keeper Cameron Cook off his line and gave Melbourne a 1-0 lead with a powerful strike outside the 18-yard box.
With momentum firmly in their favour after the opening goal, new signing Francesco Margiotta nearly increased the Victory’s lead but, his shot flew just wide of the crossbar.
Despite Melbourne’s strong start, Joshua Anasmo pulled a goal back for Perth in the 26th minute, when he followed up his earlier shot to put the ball past Jerrad Dyson and tie the game at 1-1.
Unable to break the deadlock in the opening moments of the second half, the Victory began looking to their substitutes for a decisive goal.
Moments after his entrance off the bench, Nishan Velupillay fired a low driven shot on goal but was denied by a diving save from Cook.
As fatigue began to set in, neither side could find a winner in the initial 90 minutes and the match went to extra time.
Much like the first 90 minutes, the two sides were unable to be separated and, the game went to a penalty shootout.
Victory keeper, Jerrad Tyson was the penalty hero making three saves before Anthony Leban scored the winning penalty for Melbourne.
Following the win, Melbourne will face Adelaide City at Marden Sports Complex next week for a spot in the FFA Cup Round of 16.
Key Takeaways:
BROOKS HELPS MELBOURNE START WITH A BANG
Producing one of the fastest goals in FFA Cup history, Lleyton Brooks got the Victory off to a flying start.
Melbourne’s experienced front three of Margiotta, Marco Rojas and Robbie Kruse gave the Glory defence plenty of trouble in the opening half of Wednesday’s clash.
Although they were creating multiple chances on goal, the Victory was unable to capitalise and, the Glory made them pay by equalising before half-time.
GLORY WEATHER THE EARLY STORM
Melbourne’s quick start was not enough to deter Perth’s determined young side.
Instead of crumbling under pressure, the Glory fought their way back into the game and eventually levelled the scoreline.
Among Perth’s standouts was goalkeeper Cameron Cook, who bounced back from his early error to make several saves and help his defenders keep the Victory scoreless in the second half.
Goalscorer Joshua Anasmo was another key contributor to the Glory, displaying his mixture of strength and speed through the play-off clash.
If tonight was any indication of Perth’s youth stocks, the future looks bright over in the west.
TYSON PRODUCES SHOOTOUT MAGIC
Ciaran Bramwell opened the shootout for Perth and gave his side an early advantage.
Shortly after, Luis Lawrie-Lattanzio slotted away his penalty to give the Victory their first goal of the shootout and make it one spot-kick apiece.
It seemed Jerrad Tyson would be the penalty hero after making a diving save and deciding to take the following spot-kick himself.
Unfortunately for the experienced keeper, his shot curled into the grandstand and, Perth had an opportunity to get back into the match.
Even though he missed his penalty, Tyson’s resilience reigned supreme and, he made a match-defining penalty save to give Anthony Leban a chance to win it for Melbourne.
With the game in the balance, Leban calmly slotted away his penalty and, the Victory earned a place in the FFA Cup Round of 32.
FINAL SCORE:
FFA Cup Play-Off, Marden Sports Complex
Perth Glory 1 (Anasmo, 26’m) (3)
Melbourne Victory 1 (Brooks, 1m) (4)
(After Penalties)
Image Source: Perth Glory