By Ewen McRae
With its inaugural A-League season already a memorable one, Western United will get a chance to push for a debut finals appearance when the season resumes next month.
Sitting sixth on the table when the season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, United had already caused plenty of shocks in its first season in the league.
It will take centre stage when the season resumes on July 16, taking on hometown rivals Melbourne United in the first game of the resumption round, kicking off a monster 27 games in 28 days for the league before finals.
Football Federation Australia said it is exploring a number of fixture options due to changing restrictions across the country, but all of them have United and Victory kicking things off at AAMI Park .
United chief executive Chris Pehlivanis said it was great to have games on the horizon, and thanked fans for sticking by the club throughout the shutdown.
“We are thrilled that football is returning,” Mr Pehlivanis said.
“It has been 101 days since we last played and I know everyone in the Western United family can’t wait to see the team back out on the pitch as we push for a finals spot in our debut season.
“We’ve shown Victory and their fans twice already this season that the boys from the west have finally arrived – and we are ready to do it again.
“We all know that the pandemic is far from over, so again, I thank everyone in the Western United family for their patience and I know that you’ll continue with this support through this next phase.
“Not even the best fiction author could have penned this plot to our inaugural season – what a journey we’ve all been on; strap in tight – it’s going to be a fast and furious finish.”
United is currently in a finals place, just goal difference ahead of Adelaide United with a game in hand.
