They may well have been beaten 3-2 by Macarthur Bulls on New Year’s Day but Wanderers star Juan Mata’s performance will give both the fans and Western Sydney head coach Alen Stajcic plenty of encouragement.
Picked in the starting line-up for just the third time this season, the FIFA World Cup and UEFA Champions League winner showcased his class throughout the 56 minutes he was on the field against the Bulls on Wednesday.
Slotting home his maiden Isuzu UTE A-League goal to make it 1-1 in the 23rd minute of the clash at CommBank Stadium, Mata was an influential figure during his time on the pitch as the 10-man Wanderers ultimately went down 3-2 in a five-goal thriller.
“Certainly it’s not the best way to start the new year, but we tried,” said Mata when speaking to Network 10 at full-time.
MATCH REPORT: Mata makes his mark but Bulls triumph over Wanderers in five-goal thriller
“I’m proud of the team. In the second half, with one less player, trying until the end, having a couple of half chances. It’s a sad day for us, not the best way to start the year but we keep going.
He added: “We come from a good run of results, winning two in a row, unfortunately not a third in a row but we keep going.”
Handed a starting spot following news of a season-ending injury for midfielder Dylan Scicluna, Mata created three chances, finished the game with a 92% passing accuracy and bagged his first goal in Red and Black which saw him receive a rapturous applause when he was substituted following a red card to teammate Dean Pelekanos.
“I’m happy with the goal. I’m happy also for the fans, for everyone that came here on New Year’s Day, thank you to our Wanderers family,” he said.
“I’m happy for the goal but it could not help us to win the game so hopefully it’s the first of many.”
With head coach Stajcic observing the game from the stands owing to his red card against Adelaide United last time out, Mata was asked whether or not he believes that goal, and indeed performance, would be enough to see him kick-start his football career in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
TRANSFER TALK: Mariners boss responds to reports linking global star with a move to Australia
“I don’t know,” said the 36-year-old when discussing the game at full-time.
“That’s my wish, that’s why I came here to try to give as much as I can – on and off the pitch – to the club, to the league, to everyone who loves this sport as much as I do. But that’s not my call, it’s the coach’s call.
He continued: “I’m going to try to do what I do which is try my best in every training session, trying to help everyone in the team and, you know, after all (that) it’s not my call.”
Despite arriving to enormous fanfare during the off-season, Mata’s time in Australia has seen him largely play a bench role under Stajcic.
Making just two starts prior to the game on New Year’s Day, Mata gave an honest assessment when asked about his lack of game time in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
“Of course, every player wants to play,” said the former Chelsea, Manchester United and former Spain International midfield.
HIGH FLYERS: League-leaders Auckland go five points clear after hard-fought draw with Victory
“But I’m trying to help when I don’t play also. I try to be an example. The older players in the team we try to be an example for the younger players.
“At the end of the day I focus on controlling what I can control which is my attitude, my will to play and my professionalism and I’m trying to do that the best that I can.”
Having almost certainly done enough to warrant another start for the club, Mata and co now turn their attention to a huge away clash against Melbourne Victory on January 4.
Missing out on the chance to move into the top six, defeat for the league’s top goalscorers was their first in three matches having won back-to-back games against Adelaide United (A) and Wellington Phoenix (H).
