Perth Glory's A-League Women team has continued their disappointing run of form with a comprehensive 3-0 defeat against Canberra United at McKellar Park on Sunday afternoon. The loss extends Glory's poor record at the Canberra venue, where they have now failed to secure a victory in their last seven visits.
Match Breakdown: Canberra's Dominant Performance
The home team established control early in the match, with Vesna Milivojevic opening the scoring in the 26th minute. The Serbian international capitalized on defensive confusion to put Canberra ahead, setting the tone for the remainder of the contest.
Canberra United doubled their advantage just before halftime through Chelsie Dawber in the 42nd minute. The well-timed goal dealt a significant blow to Perth's morale heading into the break and effectively put the game out of reach given Glory's struggling attack.
The second half saw Perth Glory attempting to mount a comeback, but their efforts proved fruitless against a disciplined Canberra defense. The home side put the result beyond any doubt when Nickoletta Flannery converted from the penalty spot in the 66th minute after a handball decision went against the visitors.
Coaching Reaction and Team Analysis
Perth Glory coach Alex Epakis expressed his frustration following the match, particularly with his team's inability to convert opportunities into goals. "We had moments where we could have scored, but we didn't take them," Epakis stated. "When you don't take your chances at this level, you get punished."
The coach highlighted the team's ongoing struggle to maintain consistency throughout matches, noting that individual errors and missed opportunities continue to plague their performances. Despite showing promising passages of play, Glory ultimately lacked the clinical finishing required to compete with a determined Canberra side.
Epakis acknowledged the historical difficulties his team has faced at McKellar Park, describing the venue as a "challenging place to play" for Perth Glory. The statistics support his assessment, with the team now recording multiple losses and draws at the ground since their last victory there.
Looking Ahead: What's Next for Perth Glory
This result leaves Perth Glory in a difficult position as they continue their A-League Women campaign. The team must now regroup and address their scoring difficulties ahead of upcoming fixtures. With several key matches on the horizon, Epakis and his squad face mounting pressure to turn their season around.
The defeat against Canberra United serves as another reminder of the competitive nature of the A-League Women competition and the fine margins that separate victory from defeat. Glory will need to improve their conversion rate and defensive organization if they hope to climb the ladder in the coming weeks.
As the team returns to Perth for their next training session, coaching staff will be analyzing game footage to identify specific areas for improvement. The focus will likely be on finishing drills and defensive set-piece organization, both of which proved problematic during the Canberra encounter.
