Western United advanced to the Isuzu UTE A-League Men Semi-Finals on the back of a stunning Noah Botic hat-trick, defeating Adelaide United 3-2 in the Elimination Final on Friday night at Ironbark Fields.
Adelaide took an early lead but Western didn’t look back after that as Botic scored three unanswered to give the Green and Black control.
A late second from the Reds threatened late drama but with the Tarneit crowd in full voice, Western United earned a deserved victory to book a meeting with Melbourne City in the final four.
Western United team news
While there was no change to John Aloisi’s starting XI, the major team news was on the bench as Hiroshi Ibusuki and Tate Russell both made their returns from injury.
That meant Michael Ruhs was given the chance to start again after netting last week, partnering Botic up front.
First half
It was a nightmare start for Western United as Luka Jovanovic stooped to head in at the near post from a pinpoint Javi Lopez cross.
Whether it was a wake-up call that United needed or simply the home side’s class settling in, that was just about all the joy the visitors had in the opening period.
Launching its customary waves of sweeping attacks, the Green and Black took the ascendancy quickly and Ruhs very nearly had the equaliser in a trice.
The No.24 was lively, as was Matthew Grimaldi who thought he had the goal when he tapped in Botic’s saved attempt, but the offside flag delayed celebrations.
And the delay lasted barely 10 minutes, though there was a hiccup in between as James Donachie was forced off injured with Russell replacing him.
Shortly after that, Botic was on hand as a deflection from Rhys Bozinovski fell into his path, guiding his shot towards the far corner and finding it via a deflection from Bart Vriends, ultimately resulting in the award of an own goal to the Adelaide defender.
There was no denying Botic 11 minutes later, though, as he struck powerfully and expertly on his left foot, driving the ball in at the near post before celebrating in front of the raucous Western Service Crew.
The goal was created by some outstanding midfield play as Bozinovski won possession before finding Thurgate who flung it out wide to Riku Danzaki, allowing Botic to do the rest with the finish.
Inspired by the Ironbark crowd, Aloisi’s men continued to press and probe and harry, though the lead stayed at one and meant there was to be no letting off in the second half.
Second half
Looking to manage the tempo of the game out of the break, United sought to control possession and dominate in a different kind of way to the fast-paced action of the first half.
Just as Bozinovski did for the second goal, Grimaldi started off the play for the third goal with a superb win of possession, atoning for his own giveaway to get United on the front foot.
Danzaki was the provider again as he laid the ball on for Botic who stepped inside and leathered a daisy cutter into the bottom corner on his left foot, becoming the youngest ever hat-trick scorer in an Isuzu UTE A-League finals match.
The home side continued to play freely and confidently but Stefan Mauk made it a nervous final 10 minutes, arriving late in the box to control and finish beyond Matt Sutton.
Ibusuki couldn’t believe he hadn’t scored moments later when his shot was tipped onto the post and flew across the goal line.
The Green and Black showed its steel in the dying stages, managing each minute expertly until the final whistle sounded, accompanied by a roar from the Tarneit crowd.
