Sturridge injured as Bulls beat Glory

Former Liverpool star Daniel Sturridge faces another frustrating stint on the sidelines after injuring his groin in Wednesday's drama-filled 1-0 loss to Macarthur in Launceston.

Sturridge was brought on for the start of the second half, but he lasted just 18 minutes before injuring his left groin while stretching for the ball.

Macarthur hit the lead courtesy of Ulises Davila's ninth-minute strike.

Sturridge had the perfect chance to equalise in the 58th minute, but he scuffed the shot from inside the box with the goal beckoning.

There was plenty of late drama in the match after Macarthur defender Aleksandar Susnjar was given his marching orders in the 75th minute for a second bookable offence.

His first yellow card came for bringing down Sturridge.

But Susnjar only had himself to blame for the second yellow, with the 26-year-old penalised for standing directly in front of the ball while a Glory player was trying to take a free kick.

Glory midfielder Daniel Stynes almost snatched an equaliser in the 90th minute, only for his strike to clatter off the upright.

Then in the third minute of injury time, Glory were awarded a penalty for a Lachlan Rose handball after the ball was kicked into him from close range.

The VAR was called into action and referee Kurt Ams reversed his decision after deciding Rose hadn't moved his arm away from the body.

"What a shambles mate, absolute shambles," Glory coach Richard Garcia fumed from the bench.

The sight of Sturridge limping off in the 64th minute was a major downer for Glory.

Sturridge was making just his fifth cameo off the bench, with his stint in Australia blighted by three separate stints in quarantine and a slow build-up to match fitness.

"I don't think he probably warmed up as