The A-League's bottom club Perth Glory handed Sydney FC their first defeat under John Kosmina with a shock 4-2 result at the Sydney Football Stadium.

Glory midfielder Billy Celeski scored a hat-trick for the visitors, capitalising on three horrible defensive errors to net in the 34th, 35th and 77th minutes, while Leo Bertos scored shortly after halftime to secure Perth's third win of the year in front of 12,402 fans.

Sydney veteran Steve Corica gave the hosts a faint hope with a neat volleyed goal in the 50th minute and Michael Bridges scored in the 90th, but they proved only a consolation as FC slumped to their first loss in seven matches and their first since Branko Culina was sacked.

With Queensland Roar (2nd, 27 points) drawing 1-1 away to Wellington Phoenix (7th, 17 points) and Adelaide United (3rd, 23 points) losing 2-1 at home to leaders Central Coast (30 points) on Friday night, the opportunity was there for Sydney (5th, 21 points) to move into the top four.

In further disappointment for the sky blues, the match was an unfitting end to Mark Rudan's career at the club.

The towering 191cm defender was reinstated as captain for his 50th and final game for Sydney, having announced during the week he was leaving to join former FC coach Pierre Littbarski at Japanese side Avispa Fukuoka.

The 32-year-old Rudan was the club's inaugural skipper, leading the side to the 2005/06 title but the armband was given to Tony Popovic for 2007/08.

Perth's first goal came when Sydney defender Mark Milligan clumsily gave the ball away to Celeski about 40 metres from goal. The 22-year-old then easily rounded Milligan and fired into the roof of the net.

A minute later Olyroos captain Milligan was again at fault when he played a risky ball to team-mate Terry McFlynn.

McFlynn was very casual in moving the ball on and Celeski - also a member of the Olyroos - stole possession, took a few touches closer to goal and shot past the weak hand of Sydney 'keeper Clint Bolton.

In the 49th, Glory midfielder Bertos made it 3-0 when he tapped-in a pinpoint Nick Rizzo cross, before Corica capitalised on a Michael Bridges' flick on to make it 3-1.

Thirteen minutes from time, Sydney defender Iain Fyfe fouled James Downey in the penalty area and the referee had no choice but to point to the spot. Celeski stepped up and fired home to complete the rout, while former Leeds striker Bridges pulled one back late on.

New Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek was taking notes in the stands with a view towards selecting the Australian squad for the first World Cup qualifying group match against Qatar on February 6 in Melbourne.

Socceroos hopefuls Milligan and Bolton were particularly poor, with Bolton also only narrowly avoiding an enormous gaffe when in the third minute his attempted clearance was charged down by Bertos and the ball rebounded agonisingly over the bar.

Sydney midfielder Robbie Middleby was stretchered off in the 23rd minute and replaced by David Zdrilic after a heavy collision with Milligan but he escaped with a bruised shin.

Glory coach Dave Mitchell was very pleased with the performance of Celeski and suggested Sydney probably underestimated his side, which was severely depleted.

"It doesn't matter how much Kossie can say or a coach can say to players, it's psychologically in their head that they've had a great run," said Mitchell.

"From that they thought they just had to turn up tonight because we had lot of players missing, but we've got great depth in the squad."'

While frustrated with the defensive performance, Kosmina looked on the positive saying the result could be the wake up call Sydney needed in the run home to the finals.

He also said Bolton was carrying a hip injury which affected his kicking and had he known about the injury the 'keeper wouldn't have played.

"We needed that I think. It'll probably do us the world of good," said Kosmina.

"We've got a tough one next week against the Mariners and maybe today will make people knuckle down and think about it. We've got five games left and we've got a game in hand and it gives us that extra opportunity to pick up some points.

"We're still good enough to be in the four."

Rudan was given a standing ovation by the faithful Sydney fans in The Cove both before and after the match.

Rudan said the post-match send off in particular, where about 4,000 fans stayed back to pay their respects, was one that would stick in the memory.

"It was very emotional. It's been two and half, three good years here - great years here. To get that sort of ovation at the end was something I'll remember for a very long time.

"But it was very disappointing (to go out with a loss), but more so for the players and the club. I want this team to succeed."

Kosmina said he was disappointed for Rudan.

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