Olympic Sharks' quest for back-to-back NSL championships took a major blow when they lost 1-nil to Perth Glory at Perth Oval.

The loss means the Sydneysiders have not secured a berth for the June 1 grand final at Subiaco Oval.

It was a major psychological boost for the West Australian club to defeat the Sharks for the second time in a row ahead of a possible grand final meeting in a fortnight.

Olympic (16 points) still remain the Glory's most likely opponent for the championship decider with Parramatta (12) playing Adelaide (13) at Parramatta Stadium.

The Sharks, who defeated the Glory 1-0 in last year's grand final at Subiaco, can almost guarantee another crack at Perth by winning against the Power at Toyota Park next week.

Olympic was the more creative team and had the better chances but failed to penetrate the Glory's disciplined defence.

Perth struck early in wet and windy conditions with the competition's leading marksman Damian Mori opening the scoring in the 10th minute with his 23rd goal of the season.

Mori unloaded with a low skidding free-kick from 30 metres out which Sharks custodian Clint Bolton could not keep out.

Mori should have added another some nine minutes from halftime but blazed the ball over the bar.

Sharks striker Ante Milicic's blemish a minute later was much worse as he some how clipped a close range shot over the bar.

His team-mate Wayne Srhoj also failed to find a way past Glory goalkeeper Jason Petkovic just after the break with a shot from six metres out ploughing into the custodian.

Mori was unfortunate not to have a second in the 63rd minute but his powerful header deflected back off the post before the Glory managed to secure the points with some excellent scrambling in defence.

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