Western United FC striker Besart Berisha has admitted his emotions got the better of him when he starred down coach Mark Rudan in Sunday’s loss to Central Coast Mariners.
Berisha was clearly not impressed when he was hooked by the coach just after the hour-mark in Gosford with his side trailing 1-0.
And he let his feeling be known, starring down the coach when he saw his number was up before walking straight to the bench as he left the pitch.
But the Hyundai A-League’s greatest-ever scorer took to Instagram to explain his actions.
While admitting he won’t change his passionate approach, Berisha conceded he should have reacted differently.
“My passion & hunger to win is the reason why I have had such a successful career so far. Whilst I never wish to change this part of my character I need to control my emotions and frustration when I am substituted and can no longer influence the game,” he wrote.
“This game is not about Me but the team and [on Sunday] I was disappointed I could not help the team win the game.
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Berisha's face says it all 🤭
"I know Besart, I know all my players inside out. I don't expect them to be smiling when they come off."https://t.co/JHWEp8lXPt
— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) November 25, 2019
“The reason I am at WU is because Mark Rudan showed faith in me and I want to repay that faith by doing everything I can to support Mark, the team and the club to win trophies.
“I hope people understand that even though I have a fierce desire to win at all costs I must also respect the culture we are building at WU.”
A few of Berisha’s Western United teammates responded to the post, with Panagiotis Kone suggesting the striker should shout the team dinner this week.
Skipper Alessandro Diamanti was happy to accept his teammates ‘Mea Culpa’.
Troisi has those Sunday Feels
While we’ve marvelled at his exploits on the pitch, one of the highlights of Alessandro Diamanti’s time in the Hyundai A-League has been his weekly ‘Friday Feels’.
For anyone not across what that means, just check out Diamanti’s Instagram page to check out the United skipper pumping tunes while driving his car.
And it seems the trend is taking off across the competition.
After helping Adelaide United dispose of his former club Melbourne Victory on Saturday night, James Troisi took the chance to pay his own little tribute to Diamanti.
Who’ll be the next Hyundai A-League star to be ‘Diamanting’?
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How was your Sunday?@JamesTroisi pic.twitter.com/BTu6NMP1fI
— Adelaide United (@AdelaideUnited) November 24, 2019
Abbas’ change-room confrontation with ADP
Alessandro Del Piero was a smash-hit with Sydney FC during his two seasons in the Hyundai A-League but things weren’t always rosy for the Italian legend.
Former teammate Ali Abbas revealed he almost came to blows with Del Piero in the dressing rooms after a match.
Speaking on the Fox Football Podcast, Abbas said the pair remain close friends and message all the time but there was one time when things weren’t so friendly.
“There was a game against Melbourne City back then and I gave 10 passes to him and he lost the ball but didn’t say anything,” Abbas said.
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“But I lost the ball twice and he just went mental at me and I was thinking: I just gave you 10 balls and you lost them. So I lost one ball and he just lost it at me so we had a go and we were going to nearly punch on in the changing rooms but we were lucky we had the big man Spider (Zeljko Kalac) between us. Nothing happened thank god.
“When I had Twitter I had almost 2000 followers. After that fight I had almost 7000.
“I was with Frank Farina, after that we went to Italy for a camp and he said ‘do you want to fight him now? With all these fans here?’ and I said ‘No, I’m not going to fight him’.”
🗣 'We were lucky we had the big man Zeljko 'Spider' Kalac between us.'
@ALeague cult hero Ali Abbas has opened up on the day he nearly 'punched on' with Alessandro Del Piero… 😮
👂 He revealed all on the @FOXFOOTBALL Podcast: https://t.co/k26Eua6uD0 pic.twitter.com/nrMPbNzEzB
— Fox Football (@FOXFOOTBALL) November 26, 2019
McGing gets one over his big brother
Your professional debut is always a special occasion but Liam McGing had a little bit of an extra reason to celebrate his first Hyundai A-League match on Saturday.
The 20-year-old came off the bench for the dying minutes as his Wellington Phoenix held on for a 2-1 win over Brisbane Roar at Westpac Stadium.
McGing helped Phoenix secure their first three points of the season, getting one over older brother and Roar defender Jake McGing.
READ: Talay hails perfect game plan execution in first Phoenix win
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💛 What a moment for @liammcging98 who made his @ALeague debut on Saturday against Brisbane Roar 🙌
Defeating your Brother on debut…not too bad 😎#StandUpWithYourNix #ERereTeKeo pic.twitter.com/K5jWfTzI70
— Wellington Phoenix 🔥 (@WgtnPhoenixFC) November 26, 2019
Roar remember historic achievement
Things might not be going that great for Brisbane Roar right now but November 26 remains a special day for the club.
It was on this day back in 2011 that the then-Ange Postecoglou coached Roar set an Australia sporting record by going undefeated in 36 successive top-flight games.
On this day 8⃣ years ago, we set an Australian football record of 36 games unbeaten with a 4-0 win over @PerthGloryFC.#RoarAsOne pic.twitter.com/PcpQJz0oNr
— Brisbane Roar FC (@brisbaneroar) November 26, 2019
