Western United’s 1-0 win over Wellington displayed many of the traits that helped both sides make the top six. But it is John Aloisi’s side, ironically built by a prolific striker on the foundations of defensive solidity, who now have a shot at history, writes David Weiner, from AAMI Park.
Jamie Young is 36 years old.
He is also a “freak”.
The veteran keeper stole the headlines in Western United’s 1-0 Elimination Final triumph over Wellington Phoenix at AAMI Park, which sets up a Tuesday night showdown with Melbourne Victory at the same venue, with an astonishing reflex stop from point blank range to stop the Nix drawing level with 20 minutes to go.
REACTION: Stage set for thrilling finals
JAMIE YOUNG: Aloisi compares save to ‘Gordon Banks’
Ufuk Talay lamented that Young was the best player on the park; his own boss, John Aloisi, dared compare his acrobatic, instinctive heroics to Gordon Banks’ iconic stop against Pele at the 1970 World Cup, and a beaming Young was the centre of attention post game reflecting on a moment, fittingly, which sealed the fledgling club’s place in a Semi Final.
Western United have won more games 1-0 in a season than any club in Isuzu UTE A-League history.
Tonight was the seventh for the term.
They have triumphed with more control than in a chaotic second term at times this season. But, with the decisive clean sheet on the line in their biggest stage so far, Young, who presides over the second best defence in the league this term, was irrepressible.
“The two best players on the park were probably Jamie Young and Oli Sail,” Aloisi observed after.
“They were outstanding, probably the two in form keepers along with Mark Birighitti all season.”
For much of the first half, it didn’t look like a match that was going to see the keepers hog the headlines.
After the hosts took a 10th minute lead courtesy of Aleksandar Prijović’s emphatic finish, they were in great control. Neil Kilkenny, who like Young, is flourishing at 36 under Aloisi, was pulling the strings, with 22-year-old Jerry Skotadis hustling alongside him. Aloisi, and his assistant Hayden Foxe, were vociferous in maintaining their players’ pressing, shape, and energy; they looked a side comfortable in defending a lead, with opportunities flowing through Lachie Wales and Connor Pain down either flank.
“You always believe…your actual defensive structure will make it hard,” Aloisi assessed.
“But where Wellington really hurt you … where they can be dangerous is where you are getting balls into areas in the attacking third and the ball comes out. Piscopo, Sandoval, are in good areas to break on on you. And they break on you quickly. You always have to be switched on and aware and the players were.”
Indeed, in the second period, a Wellington side that was a bit tepid in its tempo came to life – still in the contest thanks to some Western profligacy, Sail magic and the same spirit that has seen them make the top six despite the adversity they have endured this term.
Little spaces were being found, there was more of a foothold in midfield and more joy in transition, especially as the game became more chaotic. Through Reno Piscopo and Ben Old, the Nix had genuine big chances.
But that’s where they ran into the story of the night.
Moments after Sail made an extraordinary sprawling stop of his own to thwart a deflected Pain drive, Young somehow raised him.
Substitute James McGarry’s bullet header deserved to hit the back of the net.
Young contorted and reacted like a man possessed.
“If you want to know why Western United have such a good record that’s why,” exclaimed Channel 10 analyst Andy Harper.
“He’s a freak, that’s inside the post and behind him.
“HOW THE HELL DOES HE DO THAT.
“That’s an incredible piece of goalkeeping. Look at the Nix fans (they can’t believe it).”
Talay lamented: “It tells you a tale of the game (that Young was man of the match).
“We created enough chances to get ourselves back in the game.
“Disappointed we don’t continue but very proud of the group. We showed resilience and perseverance to get to where we are this season.”
Indeed, it is fitting they were still in this contest until deep, much like they have remained competitive deep into a season many others would have wilted in.
“Very proud of the group, the players, my staff, proud altogether of the club for the perseverance and the resilience the players have shown to even get to this point playing finals football,” Talay added.
“For that I cannot complain but I am just disappointed with the result tonight.”
Western needed resilience on the night, too.
There are few people in Australian football who have enjoyed scoring goals more than the Socceroos’ legendary striker Aloisi.
But beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and at the moment, his teams are built on structure and work ethic.
The same virtues that transported Western towards the summit earlier this Isuzu UTE A-League season were summoned as the early bedrock of their Elimination Final triumph.
“I thought Neil (Kilkenny) did really well for us; he controlled the game, manages the game,” Aloisi explained.
“In finals football you have to manage certain situations – it is going to go end to end, they’re going to push because it is a do or die game and they’re going to do everything to win.
“Then Rhys Bozinovski coming in, his legs, helped us as well. He is only a young kid. He just turned 18 years old.
“Rene (Krhin, who went off with a hamstring injury), Leo (Lacroix), looked like he moved like he was at the beginning of the season. He was hard to get past, hard to beat, aggressive in front foot defending. A lot of the experienced boys did stand up when we needed them to.”
Their history is only brief but the chant best suited to Western United is obvious: 1-0 to the Western, to appropriate from the classic 1-0 to the Arsenal chant.
You can’t ignore the fact that their history is young, their roots raw; but the small contingent in the stands at AAMI Park was boisterous. Creating history, performing with such accomplishment, means the players, and coaches, are fulfilling exactly what they promised.
“We know we’re on a journey,” Aloisi added.
“We want to create history and the players were exceptional.
“We have had our difficulties with players not being available, no home ground, travelling. They never put their head down and keep going … we had a pretty poor last week. Finals is different and we proved that tonight.”
He continued: “From my side what I had to try and do was show what we’re made of (as a team).
“We didn’t look for any excuse when we travelled.
“We’re a team that worked hard for each other, and that represents the west. The football will be there, we want to play good football, first thing we need to make sure we are doing is work hard and work hard for each other.”
