Western Sydney Wanderers held on to a 1-0 victory over Adelaide United at CommBank Stadium, returning to the winner’s list thanks to Dylan Pierias’ first-half strike despite a red card.
Pierias’ inventive goal was the difference on the scoreboard on Friday night, showcasing brilliant smarts to flick the ball over Reds keeper Joe Gauci to score the decisive goal.
The Wanderers had to defend resolutely for the final minutes after Josh Brillante was sent off, but Marko Rudan’s side did just enough to hang on to all three points under enormous pressure from Adelaide’s attack.
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The win ends Western Sydney’s run of two straight games without a victory, taking the Wanderers above Macarthur FC, Wellington Phoenix, Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar – who lost earlier in the evening – on the standings heading into the remainder of Round 8.
Meanwhile, Adelaide’s disappointing run of form continues, falling to a third successive defeat and their fourth loss in their last five games.
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The defeat also means the Reds could fall outside the top six at the end of the round, with Melbourne City, Newcastle Jets and Central Coast Mariners nipping at their heels.
Carl Veart responded to their loss to Brisbane last week by making a number of changes, including starting Nestory Irankunda from the bench for the first time this season and bringing in centre-back duo Nick Ansell and Alexandar Popovic after they missed the clash against Roar through injury.
Western Sydney almost fell behind early after a mistake from Lawrence Thomas provided a chance for Zach Clough, who was denied by the Wanderers keeper, with the ball falling to Luka Jovanovic – but the Reds attacker blasted over.
The Wanderers were then forced into an early change after centre-back Tom Beadling was forced off the ground through injury and replaced by Oscar Priestman, meaning Jorrit Hendrix had to slot in at centre-back alongside Marcelo from the 18th minute onwards.
Despite the early blow, the Wanderers had the lead only minutes later.
Hendrix drove forward from the back, before playing a lovely dinked ball into the area, which after a few headers fell at the feet of Pierias, who took a touch and flicked the ball expertly over Gauci and in off the post.
Pierias continued to cause issues, this time with his speed, breaking in behind the Reds defence, but flashed his effort just wide of the mark, instead of opting to tee up an unmarked Valentino Yuel who was in space to his left.
Minutes later, Gauci was called into action again, making a great save to deny Marcelo’s header.
Adelaide responded after half-time by bringing on Irankunda to try spark a fightback.
Giuseppe Bovalina had a great chance for the visitors, nodding over from a corner, while back the other way Pierias’ speed down the right created more headaches for the Adelaide defence, once more firing wide, but this time from a tight angle.
The Reds started to turn the screws as the game drew to a close, finally putting the ball in the net as Irankunda’s shot was parried into the path of Clough, who tapped home from close range, but the flag was up denying the in-form attacking midfielder an equaliser.
Minutes later, Western Sydney’s job of hanging on to all three points was made all the more difficult when Brillante caught Ryan Tunnicliffe’s lower leg with his studs up.
The Englishman was ropable after referee Alireza Feghani didn’t hand a card initially, but after VAR review, Brillante was sent off, meaning the Wanderers had to defend for the final minutes with one less player.
With time running out, Adelaide huffed and puffed.
First, Irankunda fired from long range, with his shot swerving in the air and almost catching Thomas off-guard – who could only parry the ball back into the path of Clough but his volley was blocked by Marcelo.
Then, Javi Lopez nodded Clough’s free-kick against the frame of the goal, but Wanderers were able to clear and survive a number of ensuing Reds attacks to hang on to the win.
The talking point
It was the win Western Sydney Wanderers needed after a tough fortnight.
Marko Rudan’s side importantly struck first, something they hadn’t done in their 2-2 draw with Brisbane Roar and 4-3 loss to Melbourne Victory, showcasing tremendous grit in those games to battle back, but their slow starts saw them leave points on the table.
However, the Wanderers’ absentee list has grown into their next clash against Wellington Phoenix next Saturday, with Josh Brillante facing a suspension for his late red card and Tom Beadling coming from the field with an injury in the 18th minute.
Beadling’s injury meant Western Sydney only had one fit natural centre-back in the squad in Marcelo, with Anthony Pantazopoulos, Alex Bonetig and Doni Grdic all missing.
They are currently without star attacker Brandon Borrello and veteran Milos Ninkovic, compounding their already long absentee list.
It means Jorrit Hendrix may be forced to slot in at centre-back again, after doing brilliantly to fill in alongside Marcelo, unless Bonetig makes his impending return from injury. They will, however, have to find at least one replacement in the middle of the park, with Dylan Scicluna a chance to slot in.
The star
Jorrit Hendrix once again stood out on Friday night.
The Dutchman did brilliantly filling in at centre-back for much of the contest, having done so against Brisbane Roar a couple weeks ago as well, when his partner in crime Marcelo went down hurt.
Hendrix also had a hand in Pierias’ decisive goal, playing a lovely ball into the area and had a game-high 11 clearances.
“It’s really funny because one of Marcelo’s last games at PSV, we played together at centre-back and now we are back playing together,” he told Paramount + post game.
“(I’ll play) wherever the team needs me. Of course, my favourite position is in midfield but I’ve played here before and of course, we have a lot of injuries and now, we have a red card.
“Sometimes you have to stretch, you have to just be there for the team, wherever it’s necessary.
“I think that also makes this team strong. Some players play a position that’s not their favourite position, but we need everybody in the squad to see we have some injuries, some red cards.
“It’s not just about the first XI, we have a good bench, so they did well when they came in as well.”
What this means
Western Sydney sit top of the standings for the time being and will remain there depending on the result between Macarthur FC and Wellington Phoenix on Monday and Melbourne Victory’s clash with Sydney FC on Saturday night.
Up next, is a trip across the ditch to face Wellington next Saturday, in what could be a top-of-the-table clash.
Meanwhile, it’s back to the drawing board for Adelaide, who could be out of the top six come the end of the round.
They return home to face Newcastle Jets next Friday night at Coopers Stadium.
