Tara Murray
Western United will host a home final for the first time after a final round loss to Adelaide resulted in the side finishing third.
One of three teams fighting for top spot heading into the final round, United needed to win and hope results went their way to claim the minor premiership.
United headed to Adelaide for the match on Sunday with an understrength side.
Dylan Wenzel-Halls gave United the lead, which was quickly cancelled out by a goal to Javi Lopez.
Adelaide found a second in the second half through Ryan Kitto, which would be enough to get the 2-1 win.
The third placed finish for United is their highest finish in their three years.
Coach John Aloisi said he was so proud of the group.
“With everything we have had to deal with, not only the setbacks this week, this season, but tonight to lose a player after 10 minutes when we were already very low on numbers,” he said.
“To come to Adelaide and be able to match it with them create all those chances. The only disappointing thing was we didn’t take the majority of those chances, we felt we were well truly in the game,
“We will not drop our heads and will be ready for the finals, we will get players back in this week.”
In the post game press conference, Aloisi voiced his frustration with some of the umpiring decisions, including a free kick that went against them early.
In a positive for the club, Rhys Bozinovski and Ben Collins both made their debuts, with the bench filled with scholarship players.
Aloisi said early signs a foot injury to acting captain Nikolai Topor-Stanley was serious.
“I’m not sure [how bad], but I don’t think he’s too good,” he said. “He felt a crack in his foot.”
United will face Wellington Phoenix on Saturday night at AMMI Park in an elimination final.
It’s the first time fans will be able to see United play in a final, with their first final series being during 2020 when fans weren’t allowed in the stands due to COVID-19.
Aloisi said they were excited to get out there and show everyone what they can do.
“We believe we can beat anyone, we’re not scared of any team,” he said.
“We know we will get players back in next week and we’re confident playing at home.”
