Western United fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Melbourne City for its first defeat of the 2024/25 Isuzu UTE A-League Men season on Monday night.
Andrew Nabbout scored the goal soon after half-time as United finished the stronger side but couldn’t find the breakthrough.
The Green and Black will look to bounce back straight away with a trip to face Adelaide United on Saturday night before the international break.
Western United Team News
John Aloisi made an unforced change to his starting XI for the first time this season as Rhys Bozinovski came into the starting line-up, replacing Sebastian Pasquali.
Tomoki Imai led the team out as captain once again as Ben Garuccio remains on the sidelines, while Matt Sutton continued in goal against his former side.
First Half
The game began largely without a great deal of structure or precision as both sides traded possession in a transitional first 20 minutes.
Neither team was really able to get the ball under control and begin to dictate play, with United testing the City defence on a couple of lofted balls into the channels.
The Green and Black put its best move together on the half hour mark, building all the way up from Sutton in goal to Bozinovski on the edge of the box, but his shot caught a deflection from Samuel Souprayen and looped over the crossbar.
Sutton had to be sharp off his line a couple of times at the other end to keep City at bay, but overall neither side really troubled the opposition goalkeeper in the first half.
That was until Hiroshi Ibusuki broke into the box for United with a chance at either a shot or a cutback. In the end, the No.9 really did neither as Patrick Beach came out to smother his attempt and rid the danger.
United finished the opening half the stronger of the two sides but there was no goal forthcoming as all eyes turned to the second 45.
Second Half
City made the decisive start out of the break, pouncing on a turnover from just in front of halfway and punishing United on the counter as Nabbout tapped home.
United had work to do to get back in the game and sought to regather some forward momentum, growing into the game after going in behind.
Abel Walatee came off the bench on the hour mark and immediately injected his pace and flair into United’s attack, looking to get at his marker at every opportunity.
One break saw him play in Tate Russell down the right wing and after a shout for a handball was waved away, Riku Danzaki drilled a left-footed effort just wide of the post.
His pace helped open the game up and fellow substitute Noah Botic began to see more of the ball, linking up with Ibusuki up front and looking to create chances.
The Green and Black continued to push for avenues to goal but it was ultimately one of those nights where the final ball or two didn’t quite fall for Aloisi’s men, resulting in a first defeat of the season.
