Western United fell to a painful 2-1 defeat to Adelaide United in the Isuzu UTE A-League Men at Coopers Stadium on Saturday night.
Kane Vidmar scored the first goal of his senior career 10 minutes in as Western made a superb start, but Adelaide hit back to level before the break.
Western United was denied what appeared to be a stonewall penalty early in the second half and Adelaide were able to capitalise with a winner from Zach Clough 10 minutes later.
The Green and Black will regroup over the international break before heading into Unite Round to take on Perth Glory.
Western United Team News
John Aloisi welcomed Ben Garuccio back into the fold as the Western United captain returned to the bench against his hometown club.
Tomoki Imai missed out with a hip flexor strain, so Angus Thurgate captained the side for the first time.
There were three changes to the starting XI in total as Vidmar replaced Imai at the back for his first appearance of the season, Noah Botic started up front for the first time since March and Sebastian Pasquali returned in midfield.
First Half
Western United started well, as it had most games so far this season. The key difference this time, was that Aloisi’s men supplied the opening goal in quick time.
It came from a sublime free-kick that Thurgate swung into the back post, finding a wide open Dylan Leonard to prod back across goal for Vidmar who, with all the grace of a seasoned No.9, deftly flicked the ball into the net.
The Green and Black continued on with confidence, enjoying plenty of possession and had the ball in the box again immediately when Charbel Shamoon found Thurgate over the top, but Adelaide were able to recover and regain some composure.
The game eventually settled and Adelaide began to get on top, spurning a big chance when Luka Jovanovic missed his kick after being found by Dylan Pierias’ cutback.
United remained confident in possession and sturdy defensively until an unfortunate breakdown saw Adelaide draw level.
Pierias played Zach Clough in behind with an excellent through ball and after Jovanovic’s initial effort was blocked, Leonard’s attempted block from a prone position skewed towards goal and Vidmar just couldn’t apply the clearance in time.
Western’s young defence continued to stand up to Adelaide’s pressure as Clough and Stefan Mauk had chances go begging before the break, while Matt Sutton had to make one excellent save to block a back-post header from Pierias.
Second Half
There was a change at the break as Abel Walatee came on in place of Matthew Grimaldi with United hoping to gain a little bit more control and add some spark in attack.
Neither side really tested the opposing box until a flurry of action in Adelaide’s left Western flabbergasted, fuming and fired up all at once.
The first instance came when James Delianov rushed out to punch an incoming cross and made significant contact with Hiroshi Ibusuki’s head, leaving the Japanese striker with a bloody lip.
Play continued from a drop ball there and just minutes later the Green and Black would be left even more incensed.
Walatee had a certain goal as he strode onto a cross from Riku Danzaki at the back post but was hauled down by Ryan Kitto as he made connection. A VAR check, albeit brief, found nothing untoward, the irony being that Western restarted the game with a corner despite there being no contact on the ball from Kitto.
Adding salt to the wound was Clough’s goal 10 minutes later, the Englishman firing home from close range after Jonny Yull found him at the back post.
To the credit of Aloisi’s men, they never let their heads drop and gave everything for a late equaliser, but it wasn’t to be at Coopers Stadium.
