Inspirational Perth Glory centre-back Dino Djulbic says a tightened defence set the platform for his side's unexpected finals win over Melbourne City.
After conceding four at home to the same opposition last week, Glory looked a different side at AAMI Park as they secured a highly efficient 2-0 victory to move into the semi-finals.
Perth had entered the A-League finals with 53 goals conceded this term - the equal worst defensive tally in the competition - but Djulbic combined brilliantly with recent arrival Lucian Goian to keep City's much-vaunted attack at bay.
"We knew they had firepower up front and we knew if we kept them out we were eventually going to score," Djulbic told Fox Sports.
"[Defence] was a big focus. With the four at the back and the two in front of us we work as a team.
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"Tonight I thought we were excellent and they barely had a shot.
"We know what we are capable of doing and we want to take it all the way now."
Melbourne City 0 Perth Glory 2
Djulbic was immense in helping the visitors to a rare clean sheet, even putting his head on the line to block a late Michael Jakobsen thunderbolt.
"I saw it coming," the rugged stopper laughed.
"I was like 'should I duck or not?' I will always put my head where other people wouldn't.
"It paid off at the end."
The clean sheet was only Glory's fourth of the season.
To maintain an unlikely tilt at the A-League championship, Perth must now beat premiers Sydney FC in the Harbour City on Saturday night.
Sydney have beaten Glory in four meetings - including an FFA Cup Round of 16 tie - in 2016-17, with Sky Blues scoring nine goals to Perth's two.
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