John Greco

5 years ago

The birth of Western United FC’s team song among Round 4 moments you may have missed

Epic comebacks, pre-game sledging and more classic Ernie Merrick were just some of the interesting moments across Round 4 of the Hyundai A-League.

While the action on the pitch was white-hot, we’ve uncovered some of the lighter action that unfolded in this week’s edition of moments you may have missed.

Western United players turn songwriters

Western United FC coach Mark Rudan had the journalists in the palm of his hand after his side’s astonishing 3-2 win over Melbourne Victory on Saturday night.

Rudan opened his pre-match press conference with a story about the birth of the team’s new song, which the players belted out for the first time after the game at Marvel Stadium. 

“Thanks for being patient by the way. We just sang our first official team song,” Rudan started.

“They had it written up on the board and they all sang it…and it was good. Some of the boys got involved and put the words with it. I’m not sure exactly who but I know BJ Hamill was one of the guys involved.

“It wasn’t ready (for Round 1) unfortunately. You know what these singer/songwriters are like, they take their time. But it was good.”

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It was a landmark night for the Hyundai A-League’s newest club, showing great resilience and fight to get a win over their Victorian rivals.

Wearing their new away kit for the very first time, the players soaked up the moment with their fans after the exhilarating 90 minutes at Marvel Stadium.

There’s no doubt the win meant that little but more to striker – and former Victory star Besart Berisha.

The Hyundai A-League’s greatest-ever scorer gave his side an inspirational pre-match rev-up while he was pivotal in their comeback, especially the teams second goal.

Special fan inspires Barbarouses

Sydney FC star Kosta Barbarouses picked the perfect time to score his first goal for the Sky Blues.

After drawing a blank over the first three rounds, the Kiwi international finally ended his drought with the final goal in the club’s 4-1 win over Newcastle Jets on Friday night.

Making the goal even more special was the fact Barbarouses had his six-week old daughter Lola in the stands in what was her first time watching her dad play in the Hyundai A-League.

Seems like Kosta and the Sky Blues may have found their new good luck charm.

Kosta Barbarouses with daughter Lola on Friday night. Photo by Jaime Castaneda (@jamcas50

Arise, Sir Ernie

While the result didn’t go to plan, Friday night’s clash between Sydney FC and Newcastle was a milestone moment for Jets boss Ernie Merrick.

The wily Scotsman took charge of his 300th Hyundai A-League game, going back to the very first season of the competition and included stints at Melbourne Victory and Wellington Phoenix.

There’s no doubt Merrick’s incredible achievement deserves recognition but we wouldn’t be waiting by the letterbox for that letter from the Queen yet Ernie.

Where heroes are made

Bozza gets it from Yeboah in the warm-up

One of the great initiatives in Fox Sports’ coverage this season is having the players mic’d-up as they go through their pre-match warm-up.

It’s a unique way to get a fascinating insight into how players go through their final preparations for a match.

But things don’t always run smoothly, as the Fox Sports team found out when chatting to Western Sydney Wanderers attacker Kwame Yeboah ahead of their clash with Brisbane Roar on Saturday.

‘I can’t stand him’ – Fowler’s tongue-in-cheek jibe to a former teammate

Western Sydney Wanderers’ clash with Brisbane Roar on Saturday saw former Liverpool teammates Markus Babbel and Robbie Fowler go head-to-head as opposing managers.

The pair enjoyed great success at Liverpool, especially in 2001 when the club won the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup treble.

But Fowler was prepared to put that friendship aside – for 90 minutes – at Bankwest Stadium.

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Fans get close to the action

Hats off to both Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne City after their home matches over the weekend.

Both clubs let the fans on to the pitch not long after full-time, giving youngsters the chance to grace the same field as their heroes.

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