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Western United vs Western Sydney Wanderers: A-League match result

Roar Pro
9th November, 2019
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Western United FC

2

Match Complete

Western Sydney Wanderers FC

1

97
WUFC2 : 1WSWFC

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Roar Pro
9th November, 2019
156

Western United FC

2

Match Complete

Western Sydney Wanderers FC

1

A. Stamatelopoulos74'
K. Appiah-Kubi63'
K. Appiah-Kubi58'
49'K. Baccus
E. GA 1/4 lA 1/4 m33'
19'P. Ziegler
A. Durante13'
5'M. Duke

15
Shots
6
5
On Target
2
16
Fouls
22
2
Corners
4
0
Offsides
1
0
Red Cards
0
3
Yellow Cards
2

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Match result:

Western United claimed another A-League scalp by triumphing 2-1 over the visiting Western Sydney Wanderers in a thrilling game in Geelong.

It was the losing side who started the strongest, Mitchell Duke opening the scoring after only five minutes.

The home side recovered from this – and losing key midfielder Panagiotis Kone to injury early in proceedings – excellently and equalised only seven minutes later.

Alessandro Diamanti’s delivery from the corner was tremendous and found the towering Andrew Durante to power a header home, his first goal since 2014.

Daniel Lopar rightly has been commended for his match-winning performances in goal for Western Sydney in recent weeks but the Swiss had an off night. He perhaps could have done better for Durante’s equaliser and looked nervy throughout.

The winning goal came courtesy of Besart Berisha’s replacement Kwabena Appiah-Kubi: after the ball broke kindly to him in the box after Jertec’s scuffed shot, the striker twisted to the left and tucked a perfect shot into the bottom right corner.

His joy was evident in his celebration and he showed that he earned his starting place. Western Sydney’s dressing room will be an altogether joyless place after this game, however.

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The New South Wales outfit were being talked up as potential champions in the opening rounds but their momentum has slowed considerably.

They were tremendously lucky to win the Sydney derby against Sydney FC, they were uninspiring both in their goalless draw last weekend against the struggling Brisbane Roar and this evening.

Western United were hungrier and simply seemed to want it more. The league’s new boys are quickly becoming the neutral’s favourite with their energy and passion being infectious.

The man of the match by a distance was the wonderful Diamanti, who made everything happen for Western United. His passing and vision with his left foot was something to behold.

Western Sydney ironically are the template for expansion teams that Western United are aiming to follow and their second place in the table will delight their fans and owners.

With players like Diamanti and Scott McDonald, they have a team capable of competing against anyone.

Western Sydney fall to third due to an inferior goal difference and could be bypassed by their rivals Sydney FC when they play their game in hand next weekend.

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Western United, in contrast, are at home again next Saturday against Newcastle Jets, second from bottom, in what is definitely a winnable tie as they chase Melbourne City at the league’s summit.

Final score
Western United 2
Western Sydney Wanderers 2

Match preview:

In the tie of the round, exciting expansion team Western United will look to claim another scalp against visitors Western Sydney Wanderers.

Join The Roar this Saturday evening for all the action and live updates from 7:30pm AEDT.

Expansion teams generally fare poorly, understandably so, in their inaugural campaign; in fact, the only A-League team to upend this trend was Western Sydney when they lost out to Central Coast Mariners 2-0 in the 2013 grand final.

Yet Western United find themselves currently in fourth place, three points behind this weekend’s opponents. A win by a margin of three goals or more would see them rise above Western Sydney in the table.

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A-League fans had long called for expansion to improve the sport but the quality that Western United has shown in such a short span of time is almost remarkable. Manager Mark Rudan has built an exciting and energetic outfit and they’ve been a welcome addition so far.

Indeed, their front three of Alessandro Diamanti, Scott McDonald and Besart Berisha, when their legs weren’t so spent by the forces of ageing, would not have looked out of place for a decent English Championship team.

In what was the pick of the fixtures last weekend, Western United staged a stunning comeback against Melbourne Victory to triumph 3-2. Exciting for the neutral fan, certainly, but Rudan will not want to face such a tumultuous game every week.

Western United will have to ensure they keep things much tighter from kick-off this time as the two early goals – astoundingly within the first seven minutes – from Melbourne Victory had their defence rocking.

There was no loss of belief despite the early assault by Melbourne Victory though and teams with a weaker mentality would likely have capitulated in the contest.

Rudan will be emphasising just how fragile Western Sydney looked against every Brisbane attack and an open game would suit his side more.

Western United might look somewhat precarious at the back but, given the current profligacy of Western Sydney in front of goal, this might not matter.

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For context, Daniel Lopar was again the hero for Western Sydney last weekend, much as he was in the previous round against Sydney FC. The signing of the transfer window as it stands, the Swiss goalkeeper will have to be imperious again to keep out the roaring Western United attack.

They weren’t helped last weekend by the early loss of the influential midfielder Primin Schwegler and gaps often appeared in the middle of the pitch. But against a struggling Brisbane Roar side, much more was rightly expected.

Manager Markus Babbel has conceded that their performances haven’t matched their results in the league so far and has cited the need for improvement in their tactics.

Western United predicted XI

Formation: 3-4-1-2

GK: Filip Kurto
CB: Connor Chapman
CB: Andrew Durante
CB: Ersan Gulum
RM: Josh Risdon
CM: Panagiotis Kone
CM: Dario Jertec
LM: Connor Pain
CAM: Alessandro Diamanti
ST: Besart Berisha
ST: Scott McDonald

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Veteran Australian striker McDonald netted his first goal for his new side last weekend and will look for more against Western Sydney. Marquee arrival Diamanti has oozed class and the playmaker will be key as usual.

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Western Sydney Wanderers predicted XI

Formation: 4-3-3

GK: Daniel Lopar
RB: Daniel Georgievski
CB: Dylan McGowan
CB: Tass Mourdoukoutas
LB: Daniel Wilmering
RCM: Keanu Baccus
CM: Pirmin Schwegler
LCM: Kosta Grozos
RW: Kwame Yeboah
ST: Nicolai Muller
LW: Mitchell Duke

Recent marquee signing from Germany Muller came on in the second half against Brisbane and impressed immediately with his trickery in tight spaces and intuitive movement. He should make his first start this weekend.

Schwegler is expected to be fit enough after his injury to retain his starting place. Matt Jurman also came off injured against Brisbane and should be replaced by Mouroukoutas in the centre of defence as he was last weekend.

Prediction
Western Sydney have only travelled away once this campaign, impressively winning 2-1 against league favourites Melbourne Victory. Western United, in contrast, have yet to win at their Geelong home, first drawing with Perth Glory and then losing out to Melbourne City.

These sides played out a draw during pre-season and the same result could be expected this weekend again.

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Put simply, this could be a tight affair. However, Western United’s superior firepower will see them through.

Join The Roar for all the action and live updates on Saturday evening from 7:30pm AEDT.

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