Western United is set for another massive game at Ironbark Fields, welcome Adelaide United in the Isuzu UTE A-League Men on Sunday evening. Read the Match Preview, presented by Red Bull Australia.
Match Details
Isuzu UTE A-League Men Round 20
Western United vs Adelaide United
Sunday, 23 February
Kick-off: 5:00pm AEDT
Ironbark Fields, Tarneit
Broadcast: The match will be broadcast live on Paramount+
Western United team news
Angus Thurgate is set to return after serving his one-match suspension, giving a significant boost to John Aloisi’s midfield.
Ramy Najjarine also joins the 20-man extended squad alongside the 18 players that were named on matchday against Auckland FC last week.
Off the pitch, it’s set to be a special outing for Aloisi as he celebrates his 100th Isuzu UTE A-League match in charge of the Green and Black.
Last time out
Western United fell to a 2-0 defeat against league leaders Auckland FC last week, losing at Ironbark Fields for the first team this season.
Two goals in quick succession just before half-time did the damage despite an overall positive performance, giving the Green and Black plenty of confidence to take into the next fixture.
Previous meetings
Western United and Adelaide United have played out some remarkable matches over the years not least the first two fixtures which had 13 goals between them – a 4-3 win to Adelaide before Western’s blistering 5-1 triumph at Coopers Stadium.
Adelaide have the better of the head-to-head meetings so far with seven wins to Western’s three.
The sole fixture between the pair at Ironbark Fields produced a dramatic 3-3 draw last April. Hiroshi Ibusuki scored twice for Adelaide on that occasion, while Connor O’Toole scored a memorable late equaliser for the Green and Black.
Key Matchup: Noah Botic vs Archie Goodwin
All eyes will be on either end of the pitch in this game with two of Australia’s most exciting young strikers seeking to outdo each other at Ironbark Fields.
Noah Botic is enjoying the best season of his professional career to date, already reaching a single-season best of eight goals this season.
His movement in the final third and predatory finishing in and around the box have thrust his name into conversations among the best strikers in the league, and indeed among potential Socceroos selections.
Everything that can be said of Botic can be said the same of Archie Goodwin who has eight goals of his own after joining the Reds from Newcastle Jets.
As they each continue their breakout Isuzu UTE A-League campaigns, Botic and Goodwin will be eager to add to their goal tallies and outshine the other in order to earn their team three points.
Western United Player to Watch: Angus Thurgate
Thurgate has been one of the best players in the Isuzu UTE A-League this season, owning every moment of the match in midfield whether in possession, out of possession or in transition.
The 25-year-old had played every single minute of the season until being suspended last week and he will be eager to slot straight back into midfield on Sunday.
His absence was felt and that No.32 shirt covering every blade of grass at Ironbark Fields again will be a significant boost as United looks to get back in the winners’ circle.
Words from John Aloisi
Watch Aloisi’s full pre-match press conference via the Western United YouTube channel.
