New Perth Glory coach Tony Popovic has been denied a first-up win with his former side Western Sydney coming from behind to secure a 1-1 draw at nib Stadium.
Striker Andy Keogh put Glory ahead in the 26th minute but Roly Bonevacia's 65th- minute strike ensured the spoils were shared in front of 10,206 fans.
Opener: Andy Keogh celebrates scoring Perth Glory's only goal of the game on Sunday.Credit:AAP
Star Western Sydney striker Oriol Riera could have scored the winner in the 74th minute but his close-range sitter sailed over the bar.
Popovic won the 2014 Asian Champions League title with the Wanderers and took them to three A-League grand finals during his five years in charge.
The master coach has set high goals for Glory but they failed to deliver all three points first-up.
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New captain Diego Castro (hamstring), Brendon Santalab (hamstring), Jacob Italiano (knee), Matthew Spiranovic (hip) and Chris Harold (illness) were all absent but the Glory were still able to dominate the first half.
The Wanderers only had themselves to blame for Keogh's opener.
Goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic should have unleashed a long clearance instead of going short to defender Ruon Tongyik.
Glory midfielder Neil Kilkenny pounced to strip Tongyik of the ball before delivering a nice pass to Keogh.
Janjetovic did well to keep out Keogh's first strike but he was helpless to stop the second.
Point made: Roly Bonevacia delivered the leveller for Western Sydney in Perth.Credit:AAP
Keogh had a chance to double the lead in the 42nd minute but his header under pressure sailed just wide.
The Wanderers became a far more attacking outfit in the second half and they were able to produce a number of golden chances.
Glory goalkeeper Liam Reddy pulled off two sharp saves in as many minutes to deny Jaushua Sotirio.
The Wanderers received a slice of luck in the 59th minute when Glory defender Alex Grant's header slammed into the crossbar.
And scores were level in the 65th minute when Bonevacia beat the offside trap and held Tomislav Mrcela at arm's length to slot home the equaliser.
The draw was a good result for new Wanderers coach Markus Babbel.
AAP
