Western United sparkled in a 4-1 Isuzu UTE A-League Men win over Wellington Phoenix at Ironbark Fields on Saturday night, thanks in large part to a wonderful brace from Matthew Grimaldi.
The youngster scored both of his goals in the second half – with each of them assisted by Riku Danzaki – after Rhys Bozinovski converted from a corner with barely two minutes on the clock.
Hiroshi Ibusuki scored his ninth goal of the season in a performance that exuded confidence, flair and quality from John Aloisi’s men.
A third win in a row, the result returned Western United into second place on the table with an away trip to face Newcastle Jets next up in a weeks’ time.
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The one change to Aloisi’s line-up was enforced as Abel Walatee missed out with the groin injury that saw him substituted early in the win over Central Coast Mariners the week prior.
Danzaki came in on the left wing in his place, while James Donachie and Jake Najdovski returned the bench – the former back after a lengthy injury absence and the latter elevated on the back of his form in the Academy.
First Half
As far as starts to a game go, the Ironbark Fields crowd couldn’t feasibly ask for a better one.
Noah Botic’s left-footed strike was deflected out for a corner and, a day on from his 21st birthday, Bozinovski popped up to turn it in at the near post from Angus Thurgate’s delivery.
The moment Bozinovski put us ahead within three minutes at Ironbark Fields 🏡#WUNvWEL https://t.co/GBt3sFrj8X pic.twitter.com/mtEZQ96AMk
— Western United FC (@wufcofficial) March 8, 2025
The Green and Black simply carried on from the, implementing the customary ball-dominant style of play that has been so pleasing on the eye throughout this season.
Danzaki got a shot away to force a good save from Alby Kelly-Heald in the 17th minute following another one of United’s slick passages of play.
The high press was making it difficult for Wellington to get out and whenever the visitors were able to venture forward, Western’s back four and Matt Sutton behind it were on hand to clean things up.
It was beginning to become a question of when rather than if United added the second, and the answer was in the 33rd minute after another sweeping passage of play.
Danzaki and Grimaldi were, as they were most of the night, at the heart of its creation with Ibusuki the finisher, blasting into an empty net after Danzaki’s cross bound for Botic was parried by Kelly-Heald.
That goal gave United the breathing room into half-time and the confidence to look for more damage on the scoreboard after the break.
Second Half
Wellington had the kick-off to begin the second period, and they had to kick off again just five minutes later after the first of Grimaldi’s goals.
Dylan Leonard won possession and turned superbly away from two Phoenix players before releasing Danzaki on the left.
The No.77 scampered into open space before teasing a delightful outside-of-the-foot pass to Grimaldi at the back post, inviting the 21-year-old to control and finish expertly on his left foot.
United’s wingers were unplayable all night and linked up again just over 10 minutes later, Danzaki this time fizzing his ball along the floor and Grimaldi rifling a first-time strike in at the near post.
The Green and Black didn’t stop there as the substitutes all showed the same desire and appetite as the starters. Luke Vickery came on and hit the post, while Najdovski, Ramy Najjarine and Michael Ruhs all came close.
The only blemish on United’s night was the evaporation of a clean sheet as Nathan Walker netted eight minutes from time, but there was to be no dampening the mood at Ironbark Fields after another sensational Western United performance.
