Western United into semi finals

Alessandro Diamanti broke the deadlock in Sunday's elimination final.

Ewen McRae

Western United’s dream run in their inaugural A-League season has continued, progressing to the semi finals at the weekend.

United confirmed their place in the finals last week, as they continued their strong form since the season re-start, and they made the most of their opportunity with a 1-0 win over Brisbane in Sunday’s elimination final.

Star Italian import Alessandro Diamanti continued his amazing season by scoring the only goal of the match with a pin point free kick in the 20th minute to send United into a clash with Melbourne City on August 26.

The winner will play in the grand final against either Sydney FC or Perth Glory.

Star striker Besart Berisha said it was an amazing achievement for the fledgling club to play in a semi final in their first season.

“I’m very, very happy and very proud as a player. What a story it is – first year as a club. I can’t be more thankful and more proud of the group,” Berisha said.

“We are in the semi-finals in the first year in the league.

“We will keep dreaming and keep following the story and see where it ends. Hopefully (we go) very far.

“We have a very very special group and we fight for every minute.”

It continues a strong end of the season for United, who have won four of their six games since the resumption of the season, and also had Diamanti crowned as the player of the season by broadcaster Fox Sports.

Ewen McRae