John Aloisi has hailed Jamie Young’s goalkeeping masterclass, comparing one save to Gordon Banks’ greatest ever, after Western United beat Wellington Phoenix 1-0 in their elimination final to seal a blockbuster A-League Men semi-final against Melbourne Victory.
Aleksandar Prijovic’s tenth-minute thunderbolt and a series of sublime Young saves at AAMI Park on Saturday proved enough for United to reach the final four and ensure Melbourne will host this season’s grand final.
Young’s finest moment, in the 71st minute, prompted coach Aloisi to compare it to the most celebrated save of all-time – England goalkeeper Banks’ amazing stop from Brazilian Pele’s header in a 1970 World Cup group match in Mexico.
When James McGarry’s header looked certain to level the scores, the veteran goalkeeper flung himself sideways then clawed the ball almost out of the net with one hand.
“It was like a Gordon Banks save, wasn’t it?” Aloisi said.
“It did remind me of that. I wasn’t alive, obviously, at the time but I’ve seen that save a lot of times, when Pele had that header and Banks saved it.
“It was an incredible save. He obviously has the reflexes there and to have that strong hand to put it around the post was impressive.”
A humble Young played down the moment.
“It’s nice of the boss to say that,” he said.
“The best thing about being an athlete is, ‘can you execute big plays and big moments?’
“For me, that’s the most satisfying thing but if people want to compare it to goalkeeping royalty, then that’s okay for me too.”
Young also made a sensational diving save to paw away Reno Piscopo’s fierce strike with one hand in the sixth minute and also denied him from a free kick in the 77th.
“The two best players on the park were probably Jamie Young and Oli Sail, they were outstanding, both goalkeepers,” Aloisi said.
“I expect that from Jamie. I’ve known Jamie for a long time, coached him in Brisbane so I knew that Jamie will and can pull off important saves.”
Aloisi’s United face Victory at AAMI Park on Tuesday night and Saturday evening but could be without Rene Khrin, who was helped off with a suspected hamstring injury in the 74th minute.
United had lost all three of their clashes with Wellington this season and hadn’t beaten them since their first ever game, back in October 2019.
They scored when Ben Garuccio’s cross dropped to Prijovic and the Serbian striker took a touch, propped then struck a scintillating strike into the top corner at the near post for his tenth goal of the season.
It brings to an end Wellington’s second season spent predominantly away from New Zealand.
“Jamie Young was probably the best player on the park. That tells you a bit of a tale about the game,” coach Ufuk Talay said
“We created enough chances to get ourselves back in the game but disappointed at the end, we don’t continue.”
Melbourne City will play the winner of Sunday’s match between Adelaide United and Central Coast in the other semi-final.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Apologies to The Roar - thanks for the live feed.
jbinnie
Guest
Stevo - In a column elsewhere JA had been questioned as to what he has done 5to improve his team's performance this year. John as usual, does not elaborate on what has been done but any football aficionado would tell you that the first thing he has done is to put together a "spine" on which to build a team., Lets look at his "spine" In Young, La Croix , Topor- Stanley, Kilkenny and Prijovic he has five players who have been around the traps and know what the game is all about. Add another two experienced full backs in Risdon and Garrucio and it becomes obvious that JA has gone for tried and tested players in his line- ups and this season that appears to be a good way to achieve a top position. Good on him. Cheers jb.
Grem
Roar Rookie
You are exactly right and need to chat to Arnold and Corica – please.
jbinnie
Guest
There is a lot of talk emanating from coaches these days that spell out the fact that they, their "team", are "creating chances". When- o- when are our coaches going to learn that chances do not win matches and rather than tell the football public about these obviously missed chances, should they not be keeping those thoughts to themselves and get to work curing the problem at the training sessions. More goals, means more excitement, means more fans, it is an age old equation and one our "football teachers" should be following. A.S.P. Cheers jb.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Who's our favourite? Who do we think will win. Hard to choose - both teams are entertaining and likeable. Not much between them either in terms of form and players. 2 up front former Adelaide is exciting.
Grem
Roar Rookie
How could there not be a live feed for the Adelaide v Mariners game? This is set up to be a GREAT game. And there's a live feed for the Giant's game - can you believe it? Any supporters out there?
Stevo
Roar Rookie
As per comments last night, JA had it right when he said that the two goalkeepers were best on ground last night. A terrific display of world class keeping right here in our backyard :thumbup:
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
It was a weird match , I thought Western United started off asleep, Cooper the man barrel was outplaying and even outrunning them, Western United got the goal on the break and the parked bus was coming out and I thought that was going to be the pattern of the match for the rest of the 90 minutes. Suprisingly though the tone of the match was constantly changing, part of the time WU parked the bus, other times they pressed high, other times they had starting playing possesion football and got counter attacked. La Croix started playing like Lachman as well going forward a lot sometime recklessly also like Lachman leaving opposition players unmarked. It was an entertaining match with a lot of openings and a lot of good saves by both keepers with Jamie Young.
Grem
Roar Rookie
For a 1-0 game it had a lot of entertainment and yes, both goalkeepers are outstanding. When the Socceroos side is chosen in June there are a few A League keepers (Young, Birrighiti and Gauchi) who should be considered. I think Redmanes days are done and I’m not sure how Vukovic is going in Belgium.