Western United’s New Home Propels Come-From-Behind Win Over Macarthur FC – John Aloisi

Western United coach John Aloisi attributed their 4-2 comeback victory over Macarthur FC to the electric atmosphere provided by their new home at the Wyndham Regional Football Facility in Tarneit. This long-awaited A-League Men fixture marked the end of United’s nomadic existence, with a crowd of 3045 witnessing their first game at the rectangular venue.

The Bulls initially took the lead with goals from Valere Germain and Ulises Davila in the first half, leaving the home crowd stunned. However, United quickly turned the tide in the second half, with Riku Danzaki, Matthew Grimaldi, and a brace from Michael Ruhs securing a remarkable victory within 21 minutes.

Aloisi expressed confidence in his team’s comeback, attributing it to the energy provided by the supportive crowd and the intimate stadium. He emphasized the importance of playing in a familiar environment, noting the positive impact it had on the players’ performance.

Despite the triumph, United suffered injuries during the match, with Daniel Penha, James Donachie, and Nikita Rukavytsya all forced off the field. While Donachie is expected to recover, Penha’s injury requires further assessment, and Rukavytsya is likely to miss the remainder of the season due to a quad issue.

The win lifted Western United off the bottom of the ladder, surpassing Perth and Newcastle in the standings, while Macarthur FC remains in fifth place. Bulls coach Mile Sterjovski lamented his team’s loss, attributing it to a lapse in mentality after scoring their second goal.

Sterjovski acknowledged the quality of his squad but emphasized the need for a stronger mentality to compete effectively in the league. United’s victory marked a significant milestone in their journey towards establishing a permanent home and building on their success in the A-League Men competition.