Western United is back in Hobart and looking to bounce back in the Isuzu UTE A-League Men with a Round 15 clash against Sydney FC.
Match Details
Isuzu UTE A-League Men Round 15
Western United vs Sydney FC
Saturday, 3 February
Kick-off: 5:00pm AEDT
North Hobart Oval, Hobart
Broadcast: The match will be broadcast live on Paramount+
Western United Team News
John Aloisi could reinstate as many as three first-team stars with a trio of big inclusions coming into his extended squad.
Nikita Rukavytsya and Sebastian Pasquali have missed a handful of weeks each but could be ready to make their returns in Hobart, while James Donachie is also in contention to feature for what would be his league debut for Western United.
Aloisi has again named a host of young talent with Western United Academy graduates Matthew Grimaldi, Jake Najdovski, James York and Zach Lisolajski all aiming to earn minutes on Saturday.
Western United squad: 1. Tom HEWARD-BELLE (gk), 4. James DONACHIE, 6. Tomoki IMAI, 7. Ramy NAJJARINE, 8. Lachie WALES, 9. Michael RUHS, 11. Daniel PENHA, 13. Nikita RUKAVYTSYA, 17. Ben GARUCCIO, 19. Josh RISDON, 21. Sebastian PASQUALI, 22. Kane VIDMAR, 24. Connor O’TOOLE, 32. Angus THURGATE, 33. Matt SUTTON (gk), 34. James YORK, 36. Zach LISOLAJSKI, 38. Noah BOTIC, 39. Matthew GRIMALDI, 49. Jake NAJDOVSKI
Last time out
Western United fell just short against Western Sydney Wanderers last week despite a positive performance, going down 1-0.
Lachlan Brook scored the solitary goal in the first half and the Green and Black couldn’t capitalise on a number of chances to get something out of the game, now looking to bounce back in its second straight game at North Hobart Oval.
Previous Meetings
There have been plenty of goals and high drama in previous meetings between Western United and Sydney FC, with the Sky Blues enjoying the better of the head-to-head record to date.
The Green and Black has beaten Sydney three times over 11 meetings, the last of which came in Hobart little over 12 months ago thanks to Alessandro Diamanti’s remarkable long-range winner.
WATCH: The highlights from last year’s meeting between Western United and Sydney FC in Hobart
The teams played out an entertaining 3-3 draw last season while the previous meeting produced six goals, with United falling to a narrow 4-2 defeat.
Key Matchup: Noah Botic vs Andrew Redmayne
Western United has seemingly consistently come up against goalkeepers in top form with the likes of Daniel Margush, Filip Kurto, Ryan Scott, Alex Paulsen and Joe Gauci all producing starring displays against the Green and Black.
Noah Botic will be eager to ensure that Andrew Redmayne is not added to that list when he returns to the same place to face the same opposition as the day of his first professional start a year ago.
The 22-year-old remains a key focal point of Western United’s team and has done everything but score freely this season, finding the net once and putting in a mountain of work across the final third throughout the campaign.
As United continue to create a high proportion of chances each game, it is only a matter of time before Botic starts finding the net again, and he will be hoping that is the case on Saturday.
Redmayne has kept only one clean sheet this season and ranks second last in the league in save percentage, so Botic and the Western United attackers will be eager to ensure they can find the back of the net and help guide United to victory.
Western United Player to Watch: Ben Garuccio
Consistently flying down the left flank, Ben Garuccio’s work rate and quality on both sides of the ball are unwavering for Western United.
The left-back was arguably United’s best player last week and very nearly had a sensational late equaliser to his name.
That would have made it two goals in as many games for Garuccio after he opened the scoring the game prior against Macarthur, punching in his fourth Western United goal at the back post.
The No.17 is a constant outlet for United out wide and he will remain so in this game, looking to get at Sydney FC’s defence and exploit the space on the flank.
Off the ball, Garuccio’s determination and leadership is integral to the side and he will be motivated to ensure United ends its time in Tasmania with points in the bag.
Western United Football Club is supported by the Tasmanian Government for its series of matches in Hobart
