Make-shift goalkeeper Abdul Osman put in one of the most heroic performances in an Azzurri shirt in the club’s 77-year history as he inspired Perth SC to a final day 3-2 win over the NPLM champions Bayswater City at Frank Drago Reserve this afternoon.
Midfielder Osman was called upon by coach Kenny Lowe after Azzurri goalkeepers Mateusz Zaniewski and Marino Gojak both sustained injuries inside the first 10 minutes of the match.
Osman then pulled off a number of key saves in a match winning performance to lead the Azzurri to a real backs-to-the-wall win over the newly crowned champions to put a dampener on their celebrations.
He made key saves from shots from Gordon Smith and Thomas Southgate in the first half before Michael Scafetta opened the scoring for the Azzurri in the 41st minute with a nice finish from just outside the box that beat Bayswater custodian Lewis Italiano at his near post.
Bayswater hit back via a gift three minutes later, Osman making a rare mistake in goal when he failed to control a difficult pass from Aiden Formston as the Azzurri looked to play out from a goal kick, with Oli Lagalia pouncing to equalise.
The Azzurri hit the lead once again early in the second half when Jamie McNelis finished a well-worked goal on the left to give Perth SC a 2-1 lead after 51 minutes.
Sammie Riak made it 3-1 for Perth SC in the 77th minute, getting on the end of a flick from Scafetta after a penetrating ball from left-back Coby Sutton, to beat Italiano.
Osman then made two big saves from Chris Jackson and Lagalia before Azzurri striker Gordon Perkins should have got the Perth SC’s fourth in the 87th minute, when he was played in behind the Bayswater defence but could not beat Italiano with his strike.
The Azzurri keeper then saved once again from Lagalia in the 90th minute before defender Luka Hirninger cleared the loose ball off the line.
Lagalia then won a penalty from Hirninger a minute later which was taken by Bayswater veteran Jason Mirco, playing his last game for the club. Osman saved Mirco’s initial strike but he scored on the rebound to bring the game back to 3-2.
The Azzurri hung on to secure the win and record one of the club’s most stoic performances, particularly given it was against traditional rivals Bayswater City and the newly minted league champions.
Perth SC finished the NPLM season in sixth place with 30 points, five points behind fifth-placed Stirling Macedonia and 10 behind fourth-placed Perth Glory. Bayswater City won the league with 52 points, one ahead of Olympic Kingsway.
Many thanks to all of our supporters who have got behind the boys in 2025. See you next season. Forza Azzurri.