Tara Murray
Western United’s A-League Men’s title defence got off to a less than ideal start on Friday night against Melbourne City.
In a rematch of last season’s grand final, City was able to get some revenge against United coming away with a 2-1 win.
United took to the field with 10 of the 11 players who started in the grand final, with James Troisi completing the line up in his United debut.
Aleksandar Prijovic missed the game after an interrupted pre-season.
United dominated the contest for the first 10 minutes, before City started to get into the game. They would open the scoring just before half time through an own goal.
Star striker Jamie Maclaren doubled the lead in the 59th minute. United got one back in injury time through Nicholas Milanovic but it was too little, too late.
United coach John Aloisi admitted post game that it wasn’t their best performance.
“We were second best overall,” he said.
“We started the game really well… the first 10 minutes I thought we were good and we created a clear chance, weren’t able to put away and they got a lift when Leo [Larcoix] caught dribbling the ball in an area he normally wouldn’t.
“After that they got on top of us.”
Aloisi said they were better in the second half and started to win a bit more of the ball. But it didn’t result in converting on the scoreboard.
“We came out and started to do a little bit more control with the ball and then we give away another goal, which was really unlike us, after that we were chasing a little bit,” he said.
“There was some good signs in the second half, even though not at our best we were still able to come back into the game.
“It’s a pity we gave away that second goal, if we didn’t we thought we would still get chances which we did.
“Overall the performance wasn’t our best.”
Aloisi said Milanovic, who has been strong during the pre-season, showed plenty in his short period on the ground including scoring.
The loss was marred by an injury to Tomaki Imai. Speaking straight after the game, Aloisi said Imai’s AC joint was out of place and they would wait until scans to know the severity of it, but said it looked bad.
Aloisi was quick to point out that they lost their opening game last season on the way to a championship, so there were no early panic stations.
“We know every game is tough, not our best performance,” he said. “The opposition were better than us tonight.
“We again showed good signs and we’re a team that won’t stop even if not playing at our best.”
United’s next match is on Sunday against Sydney FC.
