Macarthur FC moved up to fourth on the Isuzu UTE A-League ladder after claiming a hard-fought win over Perth Glory at Campbelltown Stadium on Sunday.
With a dogged, gritty display in front of their home fans, the Bulls clinched their third win of the season with a second-half goal from Georgian striker Bachana Arabuli proved the difference.
In just his second start of the campaign, Arabuli opened his A-League account with a well-timed header at the far post to seal all three points for Macarthur at home.
“In the second half we were the better team and we got the goal that changed he game,” Bulls coach Dwight Yorke said. “Today was a significant win for us to make sure we get back on track.”
The Bulls had do it tough against the Glory, putting in a stoic defensive shift in the first half to stifle a Perth side brimming with confidence after their recent good form. They held firm against the youthful Western Australians with goalkeeper Filip Kurto making two fine saves in the first half.
His first denied David Williams a shot at the far post, bravely diving at the Perth striker’s feet to force a dispossession. Then, on the stroke of half-time, Kurto showed the extent of his acrobatic abilities with a superb fingertip save to deny Williams from distance.
The Bulls exerted their attacking flair in the second half with captain Ulises Davila coming close to opening his account for the season. Arabuli forced an error from Glory’s defence, prying open space for Davila to surge forward in the 50th minute and strike towards the far post, only to skew his attempt wide of target.
As the game looked to be locked in a stalemate, Arabuli popped-up with the winner in the 70th minute. He met Al Hassan Toure’s cross at the far post, nodding past Perth goalkeeper Liam Reddy to spark jubilant celebrations at Campbelltown Stadium.
The result sends Macarthur into next week’s derby with a win, with the Bulls facing Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium on Saturday December 24.
