Western United will look to equal a club record in the Isuzu UTE A-League Men when it travels to face Perth Glory on Friday night. Read our Match Preview, presented by Red Bull Australia.
Match Details
2024/25 Isuzu UTE A-League Men Round 11
Perth Glory vs Western United
Friday, 3 January
Kick-off: 9:45pm AEDT (6:45pm local time)
HBF Park, Perth
Broadcast: The match will be broadcast live on Paramount+
Western United Team News
Having been named in the extended squad last week, Western United captain Ben Garuccio is listed again and is set to make his return from injury.
The left-back has made two appearances so far this season and will be looking to return with a clean bill of health as United approaches the halfway point of its season.
Western United Academy graduate Luke Vickery returns to the extended squad, while James York will also be looking for a place back in the matchday squad.
Western United squad: 1. Tom HEWARD-BELLE (gk), 6. Tomoki IMAI, 7. Ramy NAJJARINE, 9. Hiroshi IBUSUKI, 10. Matthew GRIMALDI, 13. Tate RUSSELL, 17. Ben GARUCCIO, 19. Noah BOTIC, 20. Abel WALATEE, 22. Kane VIDMAR, 23. Rhys BOZINOVSKI, 24. Michael RUHS, 29. Charbel SHAMOON, 30. Dylan LEONARD, 32. Angus THURGATE, 33. Matthew SUTTON (gk), 34. James YORK, 37. Luke VICKERY, 44. Jordan LAUTON, 77. Riku DANZAKI
Full Western United extended squad
Last time out
Hiroshi Ibusuki’s first-half penalty was enough for Western United to secure a 1-0 win over Brisbane Roar and a third win in a row on Sunday.
That win now has United on the brink of equalling the Club’s biggest ever men’s winning streak, a feat achieved on two separate occasions during the Championship-winning 2021/22 campaign.
Previous Meetings
It’s a quick turnaround for the two sides just six weeks after the most recent meeting. Ibusuki was again United’s match-winner, scoring twice in a 3-1 win after Dylan Leonard had earlier become the Club’s youngest-ever Isuzu UTE A-League goal scorer.
That win was United’s 10th against the Glory and fifth in a row. The last meeting at HBF Park was a 4-3 thriller in which United youngsters Abel Walatee and Oliver Lavale scored their first Isuzu UTE A-League goals.
Key Matchup: Matt Sutton vs Adam Taggart
Matt Sutton has been simply on fire for Western United. The goalkeeper has kept three clean sheets in his last four matches, and one the time he didn’t secure the shutout he was still the man of the match in a thrilling away win against Sydney FC.
Taking his opportunity to play each week, Sutton’s shot-stopping and assuredness in possession has helped solidify the Green and Black’s defence – only Melbourne City, Melbourne Victory and Auckland FC have conceded less goals all season.
Sutton – and indeed the entire defence – will be hoping to continue that form against the current lowest-scorers in the division, although there will be no discounting Adam Taggart when he gets a chance around the goal.
The Socceroos striker was last season’s golden boot winner and remains one of the best marksmen in the competition, so Sutton will need to be alert on his line if he wants to hold onto another clean sheet and help guide United to victory.
Western United Player to Watch: Angus Thurgate
Fresh off earning a nomination for the PFA Player of the Month for December, Angus Thurgate is continuing to build his reputation as one of the best players in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
The 24-year-old has covered every blade of grass in his vicinity, playing every single minute of the season so far and excelling both with and without the ball.
Whether it be setting up a chance for his teammates, arriving late in the box for a shot on goal or breaking up opposition attacks, Thurgate has been a major influence on each game in midfield and will be out for another standout performance in Perth on Friday.
