Western Sydney Wanderers produced a stirring second-half display to salvage a 1-1 draw against Perth Glory at nib Stadium on Sunday night.
Tony Popovic’s first game in charge of the Glory – against his old club the Wanderers – looked like getting off to the perfect start as Perth dominated the first half and led through Andy Keogh’s 26th-minute strike.
But after a lacklustre opening 45 minutes, the Wanderers were excellent after the break and got a share of the points thanks to Roly Bonevacia’s equaliser midway through the second half.
And it could have been even better for the visitors had Oriol Riera not blazed over the bar from close range when it seemed easier to score with just 16 minutes to go.
Popovic’s Glory reign certainly got off on the right note as Keogh gave them a deserved lead, finishing off at the second attempt after Vedran Janjetovic could only parry his first shot.
While the Wanderers improved after the break, it was only the woodwork that stopped Glory doubling their advantage on the hour mark as Alex Grant’s header from Neil Kilkenny’s corner thumped the crossbar.
It proved a huge let-off for the Wanderers as just five minutes later they were level.
A great ball over the top from Tarek Elrich gets Bonevacia in behind and the Dutchman holds off the challenge of Tomi Mrcela before firing off a shot which beats Reddy at his near post.
Riera’s miss should have put the Wanderers in the lead, while substitute Chris Ikonomidis also had a chance to win it for Glory late-on in a frantic finish but it ended all square.
The Western Sydney Wanderers will now switch their focus to Saturday’s Sydney Derby at Sydney Cricket Ground.
