Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory: Victory’s misery continues with winless run extending to five games

MELBOURNE Victory’s woes continued on Sunday night when a late Perth Glory equaliser stretched their winless streak to five games.

Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory

MELBOURNE Victory’s woes continued on Sunday night when a late Perth Glory equaliser stretched their winless streak to five games.

Victory was 16 minutes away from an unconvincing win at AAMI Park before a penalty was awarded against Matthieu Delpierre, who was outstanding throughout, which Diego Castro calmly converted.

While some referees wouldn’t have awarded it, Victory could have few complaints after receiving an even softer penalty in the first half, won and converted by Besart Berisha.

Victory is now fifth, nine points behind leaders Western Sydney and just two points ahead of sixth-place Wellington Phoenix.

Lacking the confidence and cutting edge of last season and the opening rounds of this campaign, Victory stabilise soon with a testing schedule ahead.

Kevin Muscat loses five Olyroos players _ including Thomas Deng who was outstanding in defence yesterday and regular right-back Jason Geria _ after Sunday’s visit to Newcastle Jets before juggling A-League commitments with the Asian Champions League from February.

Leigh Broxham’s return to midfield gave them more presence against a physical Glory but despite dominating possession their passing lacked the necessary zip and penetration to trouble opponents.

Besart Berisha of Melbourne Victory is fouled by Ante Covic of Perth Glory.

Glory almost made the worst possible start when defender Alex Grant was inches away from scoring a bizarre own goal as his errant backpass went behind Ante Covic and just wide of the upright.

The Glory keeper was in the thick of the action, racing off his line in the 24th minute to close Berisha, who tapped the ball past the onrushing keeper.

Berisha stumbled and referee Shaun Evans pointed to the spot, as a furious Covic remonstrated with the Victory striker and then the official.

It didn’t deter Berisha, who stepped up and calmly slotted home the spot kick.

There’s something about Besart Berisha and Perth Glory.

It was akin to the 2012 A-League grand final when Berisha controversially won a penalty deep into injury-time _ against now teammate Danny Vukovic _ to seal the win.

The incident sparked both teams into action as a series of chances ensued.

Diego Castro celebrates his equalising goal.

Jesse Makarounas, who replaced a “sore” Gui Finkler in the first XI, was menacing from set pieces but also produced a top save from Covic after a curling strike from distance.

Glory attacker Chris Harold should’ve done better when he was clear on goal, but shot wide, before Michael Thwaite forced a fingertip save from Vukovic in first half stoppage time.

Midfielder Gyorgy Sandor had a chance just after the restart after superb Glory interplay but his shot was weak.

However Fahid Ben Khalfallah’s effort moments later was even worse, putting it over the bar from 3 metres out, after Kosta Barbarouses’ pinpoint cross.

Barbarouses curled his 70th minute chance just wide and a plucky Glory capitalised.

Recet Socceroos call-up Josh Risdon broke down the right and his pace meant he got a toe to the ball before Delpierre did, as the Frenchman made the faintest of contact with the right-back.

Evans pointed to the spot and Spaniard Castro stood up and blasted a perfect penalty into the top right corner to again prove to be the thorn in Victory’s side.

Victory pressed for a winner as subs Archie Thompson and Connor Pain probed, but they ran out of time as a chorus of jeers rung out at the final whistle.

Originally published as Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory: Victory’s misery continues with winless run extending to five games