Western United won a third straight Isuzu UTE A-League Men match for the first time since March 2023, defeating Brisbane Roar 1-0 at Ironbark Fields on Sunday evening.
Hiroshi Ibusuki scored the game’s only goal from the penalty spot just before half-time, converting his fifth goal of the season.
The Japanese striker is now on five goals for the campaign, becoming the second quickest player to reach that mark for the Club.
United will look to equal its longest men’s winning streak in Club history with a trip to face Perth Glory on Friday night.
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There was no need to change a winning formula with John Aloisi keeping the same starting XI and substitute’s bench for the fourth consecutive match.
Tomoki Imai led the side out as captain with Angus Thurgate and Rhys Bozinovski continuing to patrol the midfield and Noah Botic partnering Ibusuki up front.
First half
It was a relatively slow start to proceedings from both sides, setting the tone for what would prove to be a largely cagey and disjointed affair.
United looked comfortable in possession as it had over the past three fixtures, looking to shift the ball from side to side and open up gaps in Brisbane’s defence.
Roar youngster Jacob Brazete forced Matt Sutton into a smart low save before Angus Thurgate came closest for the Green and Black, dancing into a yard of space on the edge of the area before firing just wide of the target.
Sutton was on the spot again soon after to deny Brazete again before making an excellent one-on-one save to deny Keegan Jelacic, although replays suggested a potential goal on that instance may have been disallowed for an offside in the build-up.
Western United continued to work for each yard in the match and find ways to create chances, doing so with minutes remaining in the first half.
A smart throw-in from Tate Russell found Thurgate just inside the box and after getting to the ball first, the midfielder was bundled over by Antonee Burke-Gilroy and Alex King pointed to the spot.
Ibusuki, who relinquished penalty duties to countryman Riku Danzaki last week, stepped up and slotted his effort coolly down the middle of the goal for his second home goal of the season.
Ben Halloran had time for a big chance of his own before the half-time whistle, but United held the lead into the break.
Second Half
Aloisi’s men set about adding to the lead coming out of half-time and had a flurry of chances in the opening stages.
Russell was heavily involved, putting an excellent cross onto Botic’s head but the young striker couldn’t get good enough contact to guide it inside the post.
Ibusuki then drew a smart save from Macklin Freke at his near post before Russell found the ball again, this time forcing a more athletic save from the Brisbane keeper with a searing long-range drive.
Roar youngster Thomas Waddingham remained a handful up front but United continued to defend with authority, keeping the visitors largely at bay despite their increased urgency towards the end of the game.
The Green and Black’s young back four held firm in the dying stages as Jordan Lauton helped clear away a free-kick to ice the result.
