Western United boss Mark Rudan believes the Green and Black are the team to fear in the Finals Series, as they approach the post-season as the form side of the competition.
United’s 2-1 win over Premiers Sydney FC on Saturday night put the league on notice, as they condemned the Sky Blues to a fifth-consecutive game without a win whilst extending their own winning run to three heading into their final fixture of the season against second-placed Melbourne City.
Rudan’s side ventured into hub life outside of the top six, and a 1-0 loss to Newcastle Jets in their second match after the restart put them behind the eight ball in their pursuit of a Finals Series berth.
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But three wins on either side of that loss to the Jets helped United notch six wins from seven as they surged into fifth on the Hyundai A-League table and within reach of a third-place finish which they’ll obtain with a win over City at Nestrata Jubilee Stadium on Wednesday night.
United may have begun their first Hyundai A-League campaign with the ultimate goal of securing finals football in their sights, but Rudan says his side aren’t willing to stop at that now they approach the post-season in red-hot form.
“I daresay that any other team in the finals won’t be wanting to play against us – I think that’s a fact,” Rudan told reporters after United’s 2-1 win over Sydney.
“Results don’t lie, we’ve got momentum at the right time of the season as well, and the players have got their shoulders pinned back and their chests really high and their heads are up as well.
There’s absolutely nothing that is going to stop us as far as we’re concerned, we’ve got a lot of belief and a lot of confidence about us.”
Rudan continued: “You talk about belief, there’s a huge amount of belief in this football club.
“We enjoy each other’s company, we have got a great environment we’ve set up as well, we’ve got a winning mentality, we’ve got some great experienced pros mixed with some of the finest young players going around as well.
“They believe; even the players that started [against Sydney FC], I can see it in their eyes, they were ready and they executed and produced when they had to.”
But United’s belief won’t be stemming from their own form alone.
As Rudan’s side have excelled of late many of their finals rivals have faltered: the Sky Blues have one just once in their past eight games (W1, D4, L3), Wellington Phoenix are winless in four (D2, L2) and sixth-placed Perth Glory have lost four of five, winning just two of their last ten fixtures (W2, D2, L6).
Brisbane Roar – currently one point above United in fourth – have performed well of late, with just one loss in seven games (W4, D2, L1) during a 14-game run of conceding one goal or less.
Erick Mombaerts’ City outfit have produced a carbon copy of Brisbane’s last seven results winning four times, drawing twice and losing just once; they’re undefeated since the restart and will be out to continue that run with a win over United when the two sides collide in the last fixture of the regular season.
It’s United’s third consecutive game against a top-six rival after picking up six points from clashes with Perth and the Sky Blues, and Rudan says his side are relishing the chance to play multiple dress rehearsals for potential Finals Series clashes.
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“It’s hugely valuable,” Rudan said when contemplating facing second-placed City just days after taking on the Premiers Sydney.
“When you look at the top six, two teams play exactly the same – that’s [Sydney] and Wellington Phoenix – and you’ve got the other teams, Brisbane and Perth, who play a back three similar to us.
“Knowing what to do against those type of setups with the oppositions is valuable for us because we can look back at the video and look to improve in certain areas and continue to do the good things we’ve been doing as well.
“Melbourne City pose a different type of situation; they’re a little bit different to any other team.
“But we’ll have a look at them, we know them anyway, but it’s about making sure that we put the right team together and the right gameplay as well – it’s just another game for us.”
Next match
Western United v Melbourne City
Wednesday, August 19
Kick-off: 7.30pm AEST
Venue: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Broadcast: FOX Sports 507
Stream: MyFootball Live App, Kayo Sports
Match centre
