A-League: Central Coast 1 Perth 1 (Perth 5-3 after pens)

14 April 2012 18:34

Perth Glory advanced to their first ever A-League Grand Final, winning a penalty shootout over the Central Coast Mariners on Saturday.

Adam Kwasnik and Shane Smeltz traded first-half goals at Bluetongue Stadium, before the Glory were flawless in the shootout.

After Michael McGlinchey put his penalty high and wide, Glory captain Jacob Burns stepped up to score the winner and give his side a thrilling win.

The Glory will face reigning champions the Brisbane Roar in the decider at Suncorp Stadium on April 22.

Kwasnik missed a good opportunity on the half-hour when he flicked a Josh Rose cross just wide under heavy pressure from Dean Heffernan.

But the striker took his next chance, giving the Mariners the lead after an Oliver Bozanic corner.

The Glory failed to deal with the corner, and Kwasnik was on hand to sweep into the roof of the net at the back post.

The visitors responded almost immediately through Smeltz.

Neat lead-up work led to Josh Risdon playing through Mehmet, who squared for Smeltz to tap in his first ever goal at Bluetongue Stadium.

The Mariners broke away later in the second half, and were awarded a penalty after Steve Pantelidis dragged down Kwasnik in the area.

Patrick Zwaanswijk stepped up to the spot, but side-footed his effort against the crossbar and saw it bounce clear, and neither side could find the back of the net for the remainder of regulation or extra-time.

Both teams were perfect early in the penalty shootout, with Smeltz, Daniel McBreen, Mehmet, Alex Wilkinson, Miller and Ryan netting.

Heffernan put Glory 4-3 ahead, before McGlinchey hit his penalty high and wide - leaving Burns to step up and strike the winning penalty into the bottom corner.