Western United Head Coach Mark Torcaso said he was rendered speechless by the effort of his players after Sunday’s 2-1 win over Adelaide United.
Stunning long-range goals from Sydney Cummings and Emma Robers, both coming in injury time, salvaged the victory after United had fallen behind early in the second half.
READ MORE: ALW Match Report: Adelaide United 1-2 Western United
The result was made extra special by the response of the players after Stacey Papadopoulos had suffered a concussion early on in the match, Torcaso saying it typified the strength of the squad.
“It was good because we lost Stacey in the first 5 or 10 minutes. Stacey is pretty important for us, so we just addressed those things at half-time and even in the drinks break, that this poor girl is sitting in hospital now and let’s go out and win this game for her,” he said.
“Somehow, they just keep fighting for each other. I couldn’t even speak to them after the game because I didn’t know what to say, it was just unbelievable.”
The result took United top of the league outright, with the Green and Black remaining the only team to begin the campaign with three straight wins.
Torcaso’s side has found the net seven times in the opening three matches and conceded just twice, with quality and intensity in equal measure.
The boss said that team spirit and the will to win was on show in Adelaide as United overcame difficult conditions to come away with the win.
“These girls have just got an unbelievable belief and want to beat anyone that comes in front of them,” he said.
“We shifted a couple of things, brought on one or two players that could affect the game in certain areas and then literally threw it all out there and pinched it, I literally couldn’t believe it.”
Western United will now enjoy a well deserved bye before another huge clash in the form of a Melbourne derby against Melbourne City at AAMI Park.
