In cool conditions at Morshead Park, Ballarat, Western United fell to reigning A-League champions Sydney FC.
STORY OF THE GAME
7’ Apostolos Stamatelopoulos has a great chance to open the scoring after seven minutes, finding himself in a 1-on-1, only for his attempt to be saved by Andrew Redmayne.
27’ GOAL! Sydney take the lead through Milos Ninkovic, who cleverly chips United keeper Filip Kurto.
37’ Croatian midfielder Dario Jertec makes his debut in the green and black, coming on for marquee Panagiotis Kone just prior to the interval.
HALF-TIME: Western United 0-1 Sydney FC
52’ Alessandro Diamanti comes on for Josh Cavallo.
56’ Diamanti causes Sydney all sorts of problems, finding Josh Risdon who almost makes it 1-1.
60’ PENALTY! Western United have the chance to level the scores from the spot.
61’ GOAL! Alessandro Diamanti’s spot-kick is saved but he follows up and heads home.
63’ Diamanti almost scores his second, forcing a superb save from Andrew Redmayne.
70’ Paulo Retre comes on for Michael Zullo.
72’ GOAL! A defensive error allows Ninkovic through on goal who scores his second.
78’ Apostolos Stamatelopoulos comes off, replaced by Chris Lucas.
82’ Alex Baumjohann makes way for Anthony Caceres.
88’ Kosta Barbarouses off for Luke Ivanovic.
FULL-TIME: Western United 1-2 Sydney FC
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Western United play Western Sydney Wanderers next Saturday, October 5 at GMHBA Stadium, Geelong. Entry to the match is free.
United’s first home in the A-League is Saturday October 19 against reigning Premiers Perth Glory at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong.
Want the best-value membership in the Hyundai A-League?
CLICK HERE to become a Western United member.
