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Gareth Morgan
A stoppage-time goal from Beka Mikeltadze consigned Glory to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Newcastle Jets in Saturday’s ISUZU UTE A-League Round 2 clash at McDonald Jones Stadium.
After hitting the crossbar in the first half through debutant Ben Azubel, Glory fell behind on the hour-mark when Jordan Elsey headed home a Carl Jenkinson cross. Elsey then saw red for a recklessly high challenge on David Williams in the box which allowed substitute Aaron McEneff to level things up with a confidently-taken penalty.
But as the visitors piled on the pressure against the ten men, Jaushua Sotirio led a rapid breakaway which culminated in Beka Mikeltadze converting from close range.
The defeat was harsh on Glory who looked significantly more cohesive and threatening than was the case in last weekend’s season-opener against Western Sydney Wanderers.
And Head Coach Ruben Zadkovich felt that his charges were victims of their own eagerness to push on and claim a victory.
“I felt like we deserved something from the game for sure,” he said.
“If not a point, then probably three.
“It was very disappointing.
“[With] the context of the club and the position that the club finds itself in, there’s a real eagerness there to win that game and we almost wanted it too much.
“A few boys out there lost sight of the game-management side of the game and there were those little signs of naivete.
“They were going gung-ho for the three points because that’s what they want, that’s what they want for the Members and fans and for the club.
“They’ve worked so hard today to try and get three points and it’s just a lapse in concentration and a little bit of naivete [that has cost us].
“There are some massive positives to take away and some massive areas for improvement… today I thought we created enough chance to win the game.”
IMAGE: Perth Glory FC