Tara Murray
Western United coach John Aloisi got the perfect birthday present with his side claiming the three points against the Western Sydney Wanderers in the A-League Men’s on Saturday night.
With top spot on the line for United, the side would need to break their road drought against the Wanderers.
Six changes were made to the starting line up that drew with Macarthur mid week, with Josh Risdon, Alessandro Diamanti and Aleksandar Prijovic among those back into the starting line up.
International recruit Rene Krhin was included in the matchday squad for the first time this season.
United had the first real chance of the match through Lachie Wales while the Diamanti follow up shot also missed.
The Wanderers had the next big chance through James Troisi, but the long shot was off target.
United would be the team to break through.
A Risdon cross was headed away, but Steven Lustica was first to the second ball which fell to Prijovic who found the back of the net.
It was an even second half, with both teams having their chances. Neither could convert, with United getting the 1-0.
The win moved United to the top of the ladder.
Aloisi, who celebrated his birthday on Saturday, said the club couldn’t be happier with where they were sitting at this stage.
“We didn’t really think where we were going to be at this stage,” he said.
“I came into the club and it was more about making sure we keep on improving the culture of the team and of the club, that was really important from day one that we got that in place.
“We knew that we would build with the team, they’ll get to know the way we play, they will improve, and then the results are going our way at the moment.
“We know we will need to improve a lot more, still early, it’s 10 games in, still a lot of football to be played and we’re pleased where we’re going.
“We just need to keep on improving and don’t get carried away with ourselves, it’s going to be a tight league.”
The win was United’s sixth of the season, with all six having a 1-0 result.
Aloisi said there was no explanation why they continued to win with that scoreline.
“We are happy that we’re hard to beat,” he said.
United’s next match is against Sydney on Saturday night.
