Under-fire Western Sydney coach Marko Rudan experienced a rollercoaster of emotions as his team pulled off a drama-filled 2-1 A-League Men victory against Perth Glory at HBF Park.
All the focus leading into Saturday’s match was on Rudan after he skipped the obligatory post-match press conference on Tuesday night following his team’s 7-0 loss to Melbourne City.
Western Sydney hit the lead in the 11th minute via a Brandon Borrello header, but Glory equalised on the stroke of half-time via Adam Taggart.
The Wanderers scored again in the 84th minute after Lachlan Brook bundled the ball home following a save from goalkeeper Oliver Sail, but it took a while for the goal to be confirmed.
Given Brook was originally in an offside position, the goal was initially ruled out by the linesman.
But VAR overturned the decision, due to Brook being onside again by the time the ball had deflected back to him following a teammate’s saved strike.
Wanderers players ran to the sidelines to celebrate with Rudan once the goal was confirmed.
The Wanderers held on for victory, but there was drama straight after the final whistle when Western Sydney captain Marcelo had to be pulled away from the Glory bench following a heated argument.
About five minutes later, Glory coach Alen Stajcic went over to talk to Marcelo.
Rudan made four changes to his starting line-up against Glory, welcoming back Marcelo from suspension and also including Sonny Kittel, Milos Ninkovic and Jack Clisby.
The 48-year-old coach cut a happy figure after watching Borrello nail a powerful header from a tight angle to give the Wanderers the lead.
But Rudan was spitting chips on the stroke of half-time when a horror goalkeeping error from Lawrence Thomas handed Glory the equaliser.
Lawrence’s short pass was intercepted by Taggart, with the ball spilling to Glory midfielder Giordano Colli.
Taggart raced forward to receive Colli’s well-weighted pass and he slammed the ball into the back of the net for his 15th goal of the season.
David Williams had a golden chance to give Glory the lead in the 57th minute, but he didn’t quite connect with a free header from close range.
The chances continued to flow for Glory after that.
David Bennie’s low strike was well saved by Thomas, with Taggart’s follow up blocked by defenders.
Taggart sent his header over the bar in the 70th minute, and Riley Warland’s free kick was well saved.
But it was the Wanderers who struck against the run of play, with Brook being in the right place at the right time to bundle the ball home.
The result lifted Western Sydney to equal on points with fifth-placed Sydney FC.
Glory are now 10 points adrift of sixth spot, with their finals hopes in tatters.
Source Agencies
