Western United climbed back up to third in the Isuzu UTE A-League standings from seventh position after dispatching Adelaide United 3-0 on Sunday evening.
Golden Boot contender Noah Botic, Hiroshi Ibusuki and Riku Danzaki were on target as Western snapped their four-match winless run against Adelaide to close within a point of the second-placed Reds after Round 20.
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Botic moved level atop the goalscoring charts with his ninth goal of the season having broken the deadlock in the 26th minute before Ibusuki celebrated a goal against his former club by converting a second-half penalty to help the Green and Black return to winning ways following three matches without victory.
Danzaki came off the bench and managed to find the back of the net two minutes from the end in a forgettable moment for Adelaide goalkeeper Ethan Cox, leaving the visitors with just one win in their past five outings.
Western United had the support of their Ninja A-League squad, with Chloe Logarzo and Co. in attendance at Ironbark Fields, where star Angus Thurgate returned from suspension while John Aloisi’s former right-hand man and current Socceroos assistant Hayden Foxe was in attendance.
Adelaide – who had an 8:30pm (AEDT) flight to catch – were without Dylan Pierias and Ryan Kitto on top of quartet Luka Jovanovic, Panagiotis Kikianis, Fabian Talladira and Jonny Yull, who are away on international duty with the Subway Young Socceroos. There was, however, a starting debut for Harry Crawford.
Western started on the front foot and they had a flurry of chances to break the deadlock on a hot and sunny day in Tarneit.
The Green and Black had the ball in the back of the net in the 13th minute but Botic’s goal was ruled out for offside.
Botic got his goal approaching the half-hour mark and it was a stunning team goal. A great pass from Matthew Grimaldi released Abel Walatee, who cut it back to Ben Garuccio, who then squared it to Botic to sweep home the opener.
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It was almost 2-0 for Western two minutes later after Walatee’s surging run forward but his curling effort was brilliantly kept out by Adelaide goalkeeper Ethan Cox.
Western survived a scare in the 34th minute after Adelaide’s Crawford found the side netting, much to the relief of the home crowd.
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Moments later, Botic and Walatee linked up in a sublime moment as Botic’s backheel created space for his teammate to take a shot from the top of the area.
Western created some breathing space approaching the hour when Ibusuki won and earned his own penalty. The veteran was brought down by former teammate Isaias and he made no mistake from the spot in the 59th minute.
Danzaki came off the bench and came close to getting on the scoresheet 20 minutes from the end, but Cox somehow clawed the ball away and then scrambled to stop the ball from crossing the line after a deflection.
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He did, however, get his goal during the closing stages as Western celebrated passionately.
