Football West News
WA Men’s State Team head coach Ivan Zuvela said his team of “brothers” should be proud of their performance in the 2-0 Challenge Cup loss to Perth Glory.
Goals either side of half-time from Tom Lawrence and Tadi Kuzamba gave Glory the win at Olympic Kingsway’s Madman Arena.
On another night it might have been more, but for the excellence of WA’s two keepers Adrian Sinagra and Sam Reilly, who played a half each. But that does not take away from the display put in by a State side showing five changes from the win over Tasmania in September.
Focus now turns to next month’s game in Surabaya against Indonesian Super League outfit Persebaya.
“I’ve just had a nice chat with the boys and they should be really, really proud with what they delivered tonight,” Zuvela said at the final whistle.
“From a coaching point of view there was plenty to be pleased about. We’re on a bit of a journey here, the Tasmania game, the Glory game and the trip to Indonesia. We bring people in and they just fit right in. That’s the camaraderie of the boys. They’re like brothers.”
WA, who last won the Challenge Cup in 2021, were keen to test out Glory a week before Adam Griffiths’ side get their A-League season up and running away to Macarthur FC.
Former Socceroo Josh Risdon was in the thick of the action throughout, while his Fremantle City teammate Chad Nilson impressed down the left. But Glory always looked assured and Lawrence opened the scoring when he nodded in Will Freney’s deep cross on 34 minutes.
Olympic goalkeeper Sinagra possibly misjudged Freney’s delivery, but he more than made up for that by producing an outstanding trademark one-handed save to deny Henry Hoare, whose effort seemed destined for the top corner.
Glory, whose own keeper Daniel Solsky had to depart with back spasms just before half-time, then had to replace key man Lawrence at the break after the Welshman picked up a knock to the knee.
But that did not slow their momentum and they still created the better opportunities. Western Knights stopper Reilly matched Sinagra’s brilliance as he kept out Sebastian Despotovski’s long-range strike, before leaving striker Jaiden Kucharski a picture of frustration with a series of saves.
“I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for goalkeepers and nice for them to share the load with 45 minutes each and they both pulled off some fantastic saves,” Zuvela said.
Glory’s pressure eventually told, however, as Kucharski squared for Kuzamaba, a one-time Bayswater City junior, to turn and finish.
Three-time NPL WA Golden Boot winner and 2024 Gold Medal recipient Pieter Jacobsz came on for Glory after recently signing for the A-League side.
Zuvela added: “Hopefully Glory got a lot out of it, too. I think everyone here wants Perth Glory to do well and if this helps them going into the A-League season then that’s brilliant. We wish them all the best.
“It was a terrific night and a great turnout. I turned around a couple of times and saw the large crowd that turned out despite the rain and it as nice. Hopefully everyone had a great night and thanks to Kingsway as hosts.”
While it was free entry at Madman Arena for the double-header, which included the Women’s State Team against Glory, fans were encouraged to give a gold coin donation to support DT38 Australia.
DT38 raises awareness and provides education of men’s health issues with a focus on testicular cancer, and its co-founder Jim Tombides tossed the coin ahead of the game.
Olympic Kingsway President Steve Nelkovski said: “Another great night at Madman Arena and it was a real privilege to host these fixtures a week before the A-League seasons start. Hopefully we were able to raise some good money for DT38 which does such excellent work.
“It was a high-quality game, and it’s always been a key driver to have as many big games as we can here. We want to support our local community and give them occasions like this.
“It was wonderful to host Perth Glory Women’s Men’s teams and the two State teams and great to see a few Olympic players out there as well.”
WA State Team: 1.Adrian SINAGRA (GK), 2.Isaiah WINGELL, 3.Josh RISDON, 4.Oli ANNIS, 5.Jack CLISBY, 7.Chad NILSON, 8.Charlie CHECHLACZ, 9.Kade FEARNALL, 10.Santiago FLORES, 14.Liam BOLAND, 16.Daniel JANKULOSKI
Substitutes: 6.Luke DESMOND, 11.Luke BODNAR, 12.Sam POLLARD, 13.Federico ACHILLI, 15.Sasa NJEGIC, 17.Jack BAKER, 18.Sam REILLY (GK)
