Western United celebrated their third consecutive win by downing lowly Brisbane Roar 1-0 in the Isuzu UTE A-League on Sunday evening.
Hiroshi Ibusuki’s 43rd-minute penalty guided high-flying Western to their best winning streak since February-March 2023 and first victory at Ironbark Fields since the club’s inaugural fixture in April.
Ibusuki’s fifth goal of the season put him second in the Golden Boot race after 10 rounds as John Aloisi’s in-form Western climbed to fifth in the standings – adrift of fourth-placed Macarthur Bulls on goal difference and seven behind league-leading Auckland FC.
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As for bottom-placed Roar, they equalled the competition’s worst start to a season after nine games with just two points amid a club-record winless streak that stands at 14 matches.
On the field, it was a lively affair.
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Western goalkeeper Matt Sutton was forced into a fine save in the 12th minute, while an audacious long-range effort from Roar captain Jay O’Shea wreaked havoc minutes later. The ball struck a ball kid, who was applauded as he had to make his way off the ground before his return was announced by the ground announcer much the delight of the crowd.
After Angus Thurgate saw his effort sail just wide of the post, Sutton saved the day on two occasions for the home side.
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Having thwarted Jacob Brazete, Sutton then stood tall to deny Keegan Jelacic in a one-v-one situation with five minutes remaining in the half.
Then three minutes later, Thurgate was brought down inside the area and Ibusuki stepped up to convert the penalty.
Brisbane did have a golden chance to restore parity on the stroke of half-time but Ben Halloran sent his shot over the bar.
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Western full-back Tate Russell nearly picked out Noah Botic with a teasing cross into the box in the 53rd minute – all that was missing was a header.
A brilliant turn from Thomas Waddingham almost resulted in the equalising goal but the Roar young gun was thwarted by Sutton with 22 minutes remaining.
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