Tara Murray
Western United opened its A-League account with a 1-0 win against Perth Glory on Friday night.
United broke a nine game losing streak, dating back to last season, in a controversial 1-0 win at AMMI Park.
Dylan Wenzel-Halls, who came off the bench in the second half, scored his first goal for the club in the 78th minute after a run down the line from Connor Pain.
Glory players protested that Pain had taken the ball out of play, but it was to no avail with the goal standing.
United coach John Aloisi was thrilled for the side to open their account.
“We knew it was going to be a really difficult game because of the way that Perth play,” he said.
“They were going to make it hard for us [and] the performance overall probably wasn’t as good as it was last week against victory, but what the boys showed was character and that resilience.
“When you’re not playing that well, you have to stay together, stay focused and they did that they scrapped when they needed to scrap. They defended with their bodies when they needed to and we knew that we would still get our chance.
“It was great to get the first win.”
Aleksandar Prijovic made his first start for United, with Wenzel-Halls moving to the bench. Aloisi said there would be times both would start.
Aloisi said the side got better as the game progressed, saying that once they were able to calm their nerves they were able to put their plans in place.
He said Pain and Lachie Wales were able to cause some issues when they started to get the ball in the right areas.
“All in all the performance wasn’t as good, but the win was really important for us.
“We still defended well… We have not conceded a goal from open play, [we’re] showing good signs defensively, we will get better going forward, once they gel more.”
Speaking right after the game, Aloisi said he hadn’t seen the replay of the goal.
He said sometimes that you are going to get luck with calls, other times you won’t.
United has one injury concern with captain Alessandro Diamanti seeming to hurt his wrist. There has been no update since.
United this week faces Melbourne City on Saturday night.
