Western United FC
0
Match Complete
Adelaide United
0
| S. Lustica |  | 92' | ||
| A. Majok | | 65' | ||
| A. Calver | | 64' | ||
| 57' | | J. Caletti | ||
| L. Wales | | 56' | ||
| A. Diamanti | | 47' | ||
| V. SA!nchez | | 37' | ||
| 24' | | J. Elsey | ||
| 20' | | N. Smith |
| 10 | Shots | 11 | ||
| 4 | On Target | 1 | ||
| 16 | Fouls | 14 | ||
| 13 | Corners | 7 | ||
| 3 | Offsides | 1 | ||
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 | ||
| 6 | Yellow Cards | 3 |
Western United are set to host Adelaide United at GMHBA Stadium in the A-League season opener. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match with the kick-off at 7:05 pm (AEDT).
Western United have had a strong summer with just six departures and none of them being too major. The exciting part of their summer comes in their arrivals.
Lachlan Wales provides depth, although it’s a slightly peculiar signing considering Western United play without wingers in their system. Wales will likely be a rotating striker option or a wing-back replacement.
However, their main signing is Victor Sanchez. The 33-year-old was a small part of Barcelona’s squad between 2008-11, which fans know from Pep Guardiola’s reign and their tiki-tika side. He went on to make over 300 appearances in Spain’s first division and had a stint as captain of RCD Espanyol.
Sanchez will add class, composure and a range of passing from deep to Mark Rudan’s side and he has an ability to break the lines from deep, which will be crucial in allowing Alessandro Diamanti and Max Burgess to gain possession in advanced positions.
Max Burgess will not feature in Western United’s opening game, being stuck in New South Wales after spending the off-season attempting a move to the Western Sydney Wanderers.
However, Western United’s CEO confirmed that Burgess will remain in green and black at least for the start of the season. That news will be refreshing to Western United’s fans after his stellar campaign last season.
Adelaide United have had a busy summer, losing ten players. Among them were James Troisi, Riley McGree, Nikola Mileusnic, Paul Izzo and Kristian Opseth.
Personally, I was very disappointed to see them not resign Taras Gomulka, who I was impressed with after his run of starts following the season restart.
Adelaide has brought in two new goalkeepers in Joe Gauci and James Delianov, while 23-year-old George Timotheou looks to strengthen their defence.
However, their biggest signing comes in the form of Tomi Juric, who will lead the line for Adelaide United this season. It will be interesting to see what this means for Mohamed Toure, who had a blistering start to the 2019-20 A-League season before fracturing his foot and struggling to find form.
Prediction
The first game of the A-League is always tough to predict, but the quality of Western United’s side will be enough for them to overcome Adelaide United. They have kept roughly the same side while adding quality, and Adelaide are going through a rebuilding phase and might not get the positive start they hope for.
Western United to win 2-0.
Game information
Kick-off: 7pm (AEDT)
Venue: Kardinia Park, Geelong
TV: Fox Sports
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Midfielder
Roar Guru
Cheers Pun, and lets hope for a better 2021
Punter
Roar Rookie
Thanks Mid, been around having posted too much lately, no games, but happy New Year mate.
Midfielder
Roar Guru
agree
Midfielder
Roar Guru
Pun Good to see your post I have not been around for a while on the Roar...
Jack George
Roar Guru
Thanks for tuning in Redondo. It's an interesting decision looking back now, but it's great that we can enjoy him in the league now. No sign of his quality slowing down.
Jack George
Roar Guru
Toure provided a brilliant spark when he came on the field. It's ridiculous the way he manages to hold off opponents. A great weapon to have on the bench.
Jack George
Roar Guru
Adelaide had the better of the chances but a point is a good place to build on against a Western United side stacked with quality. Adelaide adapting to changes in their squad and are yet to add Javi Lopez who will bring quality no matter where he plays.
Jack George
Roar Guru
Thanks for tuning in, Punter. It's great to be back.
Jack George
Roar Guru
Thanks for tuning in everyone! I will be back for Adelaide United's next match on the 3rd of January, but make sure to check out the other live blogs from the Roar with the A-League schedule heating up! Hope you all had a great Christmas and have a fantastic New Years Eve! Bye for now.
Jack George
Roar Guru
Match Report: Western United and Adelaide United finishes goalless in the opening game of the A-League season at GMHBA stadium. There was plenty of sparkling moments, as well as a few big chances but some good defending is enough to see both teams end with a clean sheet. Seventeen-year-old Yaya Dukuly impressed from the start, providing width, directness and power when running at his opposition marker. While he lacked some work rate in defence, seemingly due to fitness, he was confident on the ball and is a positive Adelaide can take out of this game. It was the reds who had the better of the chances, with Western United making two goal-line clearances. In the 35th minute, Jordan Elsey finds Tomi Juric making an intelligent run in behind Western United’s high line. Juric strolls through on goal, classily dinking the ball over the onrushing Kurto and looks set to continue his record of scoring on debut in the A-League. However, Tomoki-Imai makes a lung-busting run after reading the shot and manages to clear the ball just before the goal line. The second came in the 66th minute, after Halloran received a good pass from Tomi Juric, leaving him in a one on one against Tomoki Imai. Halloran advanced on the defender, shifting the ball onto his left before dragging the ball past Kurto heading towards the far post. However, Aaron Calver read the shot brilliantly, and a seemingly goal-bound attempt came to nothing as the young Australian defender cleared the ball. Joe Caletti had a good game in the heart of midfield, and while I didn’t mention him too often throughout the match, he should be commended for doing the simple things well; playing short passes to his teammates and keeping the ball speed up. He showed his mobility on multiple occasions during the match, including once when beating Dylan Pierias in a one on one situation on the wing. Pierias was a danger throughout the match, causing havoc with his deadly pace running in behind. He was in a good battle with Noah Smith for the duration of the game, and it was an even battle. Diamanti had a solid affair but will look to improve going into the next match, where Western United is hosted by Melbourne City on the 17th of January, while Adelaide United host Melbourne City on the third of January.
Redondo
Roar Rookie
Greetings all. Good game - thanks Jack and thank goodness the A-League is back. One observation - inconceivable that the FFA rejected Diamanti as a guest signing for Victory in 2016. Who made that decision?
Kevin
Roar Rookie
Disappointed not to see a goal. Couple of line clearances though.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Great game to watch. Neither team deserved to lose but Adelaide were unlucky not to score. Delianov looks a good talent and I love how the game speeds up whenever the ball is near Mohamed Tourre.
AndyAdelaide
Roar Rookie
Dissapointed, 2 points dropped
Jack George
Roar Guru
Nice to see you again, Stevo!
Punter
Roar Rookie
Thanks Jack, great calling.
Nick Symonds
Guest
TOMI JURIC 74 games with 21 goals at FC Luzern (1 goal in 3.5 matches) 41 games with 8 goals for Socceroos (1 goal in 5.1 matches)
Jack George
Roar Guru
FULLTIME! The final whistle sounds and it remains goalless here at GMHBA stadium. The match report will be out in ten minutes, but in the meantime feel free to discuss your thoughts on the match! Final score: Western United 0 Adelaide United 0
Jack George
Roar Guru
90 + 4' Chance!!! Diamanti cuts inside and a deflected shot finds Vujica who is free at the back post, but the bounce gets the better of him and Western United have to settle for a corner. Western United 0 Adelaide United 0
Jack George
Roar Guru
90 + 4' One minute left to grab a winner here... Western United 0 Adelaide United 0