Tara Murray
The dream is still alive for Western United in the A-League competition after a thrilling 1-0 elimination win against Wellington Phoenix.
After losing to the Phoenix three times this season, United needed to turn the tables in their first ever home final.
Aleksandar Prijovic scored the only goal of the game inside the opening 10 minutes with a half-volley that flew into the top corner of the net.
Both goalkeepers pulled off some superb saves to keep the score line at 1-0.
United coach John Aloisi said the club was thrilled to win its first home final in its short history.
“We were really happy with the win,” he said.
“It was our first finals home game we have won as a football club. We are on a journey and we’re trying to create history with the club, and the players were again exceptional.
“We’ve had our difficulties in terms of players unavailability and we’ve had our difficulties in terms of not having a home ground and travelling.
“They put their head down. [We were] poor last week in terms of results, [but] finals are different, we got the win that we wanted.”
Aloisi said it was some of their more experienced players who stood up when it was really counted.
He said the best two players on the park were the goalkeepers. Jamie Young had five saves including a brilliant one in the second half.
“I expect that from Jamie,” he said. “I’ve known him for a long time. I coached him in Brisbane and I knew that Jamie can and will pull off those saves and in these games you need experienced players to step up.”
Aloisi said he had spoken with Prijovic during the week, after the striker had been left disappointed with his performance against Adelaide United.
He said he wanted Prijovic to make the most of his big game experience.
“These are the games they enjoy and step up,” he said. “He was so calm the way he took it and we knew we would create overloads in the box.
“We had Alek and Dylan Wenzel-Halls in there and a lot of the time we had a winger there too.
“We were getting balls into the area as much as possible, we knew we would have chances.”
Aloisi said the partnership between the two strikers was starting to gel, having only played together in recent weeks.
Another thing that impressed Aloisi was the composure of Nicolas Milanovic, Rhys Bozinovski and Jerry Skotadis, who haven’t played a lot this year but continued to stay ready when needed.
In a good sign for United, vice-captain Josh Risdon returned from injury, coming on in the 69th minute.
It wasn’t as good news for Rene Krhin, who left the field with a hamstring injury.
Aloisi said he would have scans on Monday to see how bad it is.
United now looks forward to the challenge against Melbourne Victory, Game one is on Tuesday, May 17 and game two on Saturday.
Aloisi said it was massive for the club.
“The players deserve it and the club drive it, been in the top two-three along with Victory and [Melbourne] City,” he said.
“It’s good for Melbourne and we’re excited to be there. “It’s going to be difficult, Victory a good side but we believe in ourselves and believe we can match it with anyone.”
