Fatigue and the tyranny of distance proved no obstacle for the Bulls who sealed their first win of the season, toppling the Mariners 2-1 away from home. Just 30 hours after landing back in the country after a long-haul flight and three days after playing in Cambodia, the Bulls showed enough fight to seal a dogged win over the reigning champions.
It was a win to saviour for the Bulls’ with French striker Valere Germain opening his account in the league while midfielder Kearyn Baccus scored his first strike in the A-League, which proved to be the eventual match winner.
“That was difficult traveling away and then coming back and playing but full credit to the boys and I’m happy to get the goal today,” Baccus said.
“I said to the boys I am going to score a couple this year, I am feeling good.”
Photo: Getty.
Bulls goalkeeper Filip Kurto stood firm for the visitors in the first half, denying Angel Torres’ powerful effort from the edge of the area with a strong parry.
Macarthur winger Jed Drew had a chance form distance midway through the first half but his curling effort was fired narrowly wide of the target.
Kurto kept the match scoreless by the break with another impressive save, getting down low to palm away Torres’ shot from distance that looked to be bound for the bottom corner.
The half-time team talk from Mile Sterjovski kicked the Bulls into gear in the second half as they took the game to the Mariners. Just twelve minutes after the restart, Macarthur snatched the lead through Germain. After being put into space by Jake Hollman, the French striker rattled the top corner with a powerful finish.
The Mariners thought they had drawn level shortly after, only for the VAR to find Alou Kuol was offside. Despite battling the fatigue of a lengthy travel, the Bulls finished the stronger in the second half and Baccus delivered a collectors item for the travelling fans. In his 112th A-League game, the Bulls defensive midfielder struck his first A-League goal of his career to seal the memorable win for Macarthur. Driving into the box, Baccus calmly steered his shot into the far corner of the net to make it 2-0 and seal all three points on the road for the Bulls.
Mariners defender Brian Kaltak slotted a late strike to set-up a nervous finish but couldn’t change the final outcome, as the Bulls held on for a big win on the road.
