The Regional Football Facility in Tarneit came roaring to life on Saturday afternoon as Western United defeated Macarthur FC 4-2 in the Isuzu UTE A-League Men.
In a red-letter day for the Club, John Aloisi’s men put on a four-goal blitz in the space of 14 second-half minutes to overturn a 2-0 deficit and record a famous victory.
A raucous crowd in Tarneit willed Western United on as the goals came like London buses, in turn lifting the support even further.
Riku Danzaki scored the first one before Michael Ruhs equalised and Matthew Grimaldi thumped United into the lead, flipping the game on its head in just seven minutes.
Ruhs completed his brace and the game’s scoring soon after and the Green and Black marched onto a superb victory in the first men’s match at the Club’s new home.
Western United Team News
John Aloisi’s first team sheet at the Regional Football Facility, Tarneit featured two changes to the starting XI.
Kane Vidmar came in at the back in place of the suspended Tomoki Imai and Danzaki was installed on the left of midfield as Matthew Grimaldi dropped to the bench. Oliver Lavale lay in waiting for a potential Isuzu UTE A-League debut off the bench.
First Half
Western United got off to a sharp start with some flashy attacking play, but Macarthur brought plenty of pace of their own up front.
Neither side had really had a clear chance on goal when Raphael Borges Rodrigues broke down Macarthur’s left flank and cut the ball across the face of goal.
While he couldn’t pick out a teammate, Vidmar’s attempt to block saw him bring down the Macarthur man and a penalty was awarded by Shaun Evans, which Valerie Germain converted.
United set about finding a prompt equaliser and forced Filip Kurto into a triple save soon after. Ruhs had the first effort before Daniel Penha followed up, the former United keeper was ultimately able to collect comfortably from Angus Thurgate’s final effort.
The hosts continued to create chances but Macarthur were menacing on the break and landed another blow in the 24th minute when Ulises Davila swiveled and finished on his left foot.
A bumper crowd in Tarneit continued to push the Green and Black along, helping the side draw closer and closer to pulling a goal back.
Penha blasted a long-range shot just wide of the right-hand post before Lachie Wales went on an incisive run own the right wing and picked out Danzaki at the back post.
On the half-volley Danzaki cushioned a lovely strike on goal and Kurto could only parry it onto the underside of the crossbar and over the goal line, but the referee pulled it back as Ruhs was standing in an offside position in front of the goalkeeper.
Penha was involved again to force another strong save from Kurto, but the Brazilian’s afternoon was soon cut short as he made way with a knock just before half-time, with Grimaldi coming on as his replacement.
Second Half
With the Tarneit faithful right behind the team, Western United came out with a simply incredible start to the second half.
Not to be denied from the first half, Danzaki got the ball rolling with an exquisite finish at the near post after a scuffed Macarthur clearance fell into his path.
Chaos ensued shortly after as Vidmar and Borges Rodrigues came to blows and Josh Risdon and Davila joined in right in front of a section of home supporters. Davila got away with placing his hands on Risdon’s throat, while the Western United captain was booked.
That only lifted the crowd up another notch and Ruhs found the equaliser immediately after. While the offside flag initially halted celebrations, VAR intervened and awarded the goal as Ruhs ran in behind and lofted a bouncing ball expertly over Kurto’s head and into the net.
The decibel levels only continued to increase and United got forward again with some sharp interplay after Risdon won the ball in the attacking half.
The ball fell kindly to Grimaldi in the box and the youngster did the rest, turning beautifully under pressure and firing into the roof of the net to spark delirium at the Regional Football Facility.
Tarneit had one more opportunity to celebrate to cap off an insane 14-minute spell. After Garuccio and James Donachie had both rattled the crossbar within seconds of each other, Ruhs made sure it was third time lucky as he latched onto the rebound and slotted his second of the game.
Macarthur pushed for another goal but United remained resolute at the back with Zach Lisolajski getting amongst the challenges off the bench after replacing Donachie.
Lavale came on for his Isuzu UTE A-League debut in the closing stages and the Green and Black finished the contest with 10 men as Nikita Rukavytsya was forced off injured with Aloisi having used his allotment of substitution windows.
The win will live long in the memory for Western United fans and moves the team up into 10th place on the table.
