Another round in the Liberty A-League has come to a close, with plenty to dissect from the weekend’s action across the country. Here’s some of the major talking points to emerge.
Western Sydney end their winless drought
364 days later, Western Sydney Wanderers have finally won a game.
The Wanderers were sensational against one of the favourites for silverware this season in Melbourne City, shocking Dario Vidosic’s side at home with by far, their best performance of the campaign.
READ: WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS END 364 DAY WAIT FOR A WIN, STUNNING MELBOURNE CITY
Kat Smith’s Wanderers showed plenty of belief throughout on Sunday afternoon and were absolutely devastating on the counter-attack against City’s back-line that struggled for answers against their speed.
Sheridan Gallagher’s opener, which was helped by a wicked deflection, got the home side off to a blinder and only their fourth goal of the season – at the time – buoyed them enormously with Liv Price making no mistake from range to wrap up an emotional three points.
And had it not been for wayward finishing, the score-line could have easily been much larger with Sarina Bolden missing a number of quality chances to open her account for the club.
The last time Western Sydney had tasted victory was back on January 9 last year, when they beat Brisbane Roar 1-0 – thanks to a Bryleeh Henry strike – but for Smith it’s her first win since taking charge of the club (second as a coach, having won a game as interim coach of Melbourne Victory back in 2016).
Meanwhile, it’s back to the drawing board for City, who surprisingly never looked like troubling the Wanderers – despite coming into proceedings as overwhelming favourites.
Can anyone stop flawless Western United?
The streak continues for Western United.
Western just keep on winning, with the expansion club making it six wins from six games to begin their time in the Liberty A-League – a 1-0 win over Wellington Phoenix at City Vista Reserve on Saturday afternoon preserving their perfect record.
READ: WESTERN’S PERFECT RUN CONTINUES WITH SLENDER WIN OVER ‘NIX
It got a little bit nervy for Western, who had to be patient to find their winner with the eventual winner coming from the most unlikely of sources – with Tyla-Jay Vlajnic soaring highest to nod the ball into the back of the net.
The goal was only Vlajnic’s second in her Liberty A-League career but it helped keep the ball rolling for Western who just keep on finding ways to get points on the board.
“This team is like no other,” Vlajnic told Dub Zone.
“Off the field, there is a real fighting spirit. Everyone works really hard for one another and I think that shows on the field and given our last three games have been won in the dying minutes of the game, I credit to the way that we hold ourselves and the way that we fight for each other.
“I don’t think there was, from me personally, any doubt that we weren’t going to get a goal. It was just a matter of when we were going to get the goal.”
Now, the big test awaits for Western, a top of the table clash with league leaders Sydney FC on Wednesday evening on their home deck – with Matildas midfielder Chloe Logarzo set to return for Torcaso’s side against her former team.
Can they continue to defy the odds?
Baisden injury overshadows Perth fight-back
Perth Glory may have come away with a gutsy 1-1 draw against reigning champions Melbourne Victory on Friday evening but it came at a major cost for the visitors.
Glory attacker and the equal-leader in the Golden Boot race, Rylee Baisden went down screaming in the 58th minute after attempting to block a Kayla Morrison pass with her right leg but her trailing left leg planted awkwardly.
READ: ‘IT DOESN’T LOOK GREAT’: ACL FEARS FOR GLORY STAR AFTER VICTORY DRAW
The crowd inside AAMI Park were left in stunned silence after the incident, with Glory head coach Alex Epakis fearing the worst post-game.
“It doesn’t look good,” Epakis said. “Obviously from the reaction, it’s heartbreaking. You forget about the game for that moment.
“I don’t know 100 per cent yet (what the injury is), but we’ve just got to remain hopeful. But it doesn’t look great.
“You have to expect anything. So we’ll just wait and see.”
Baisden will now await scans to determine the severity of the knee injury.
To Perth’s credit, they rallied after the incident, finding an equaliser late on from Victorian born striker Alana Jancevski – who replaced Baisden – with a well-taken goal to ensure the spoils were shared.
“It means a lot to her, because she was here for a long time,” Epakis said. “When you’ve got a point to prove – I know that meant a lot.”
Hunter continues goal streak
Sarah Hunter just can’t stop scoring right now.
The Sydney FC midfielder continued her hot streak on Saturday afternoon, adding a third goal in four games in the Sky Blues’ 4-2 win over Newcastle Jets – where she continued to showcase the enormous strides she’s taken as a footballer in her second season at the club.
Hunter, 19, has slowly become an integral part of Sydney’s engine room, forging an imposing trio with Mackenzie Hawkesby and Shay Hollman – with the former now starting to add another string to her bow, coming in the form of goals.
But it’s been the belief imparted on her from coach Ante Juric that has helped her take the next step in her game – speaking glowingly of his impact post-game on Dub Zone.
“He’s given me the motivation and the drive to be the best player I can be. It’s been really good to have a coach like that,” Hunter said.
REACTION: ‘HE’S MADE SO MANY STARS… HE’S JUST DIFFERENT’: HUNTER HAILS ‘FATHER FIGURE’ JURIC
“Ante, he’s just so good at managing girls, at being a leader and getting the most out of (his) players, which I think once you get to that top level in sport is the key… he does that so, so well.”
“Before me, he’s made so many Matildas, he’s made so many stars. That goes to show, he’s just different.”
Overall, it’s been a brilliant start to the campaign for Sydney, who have won six straight games since dropping their opening match against Adelaide United.
They burst out of the blocks brilliantly against the Jets, taking a 3-0 lead within minutes and ultimately, ending the contest with four to their name – the third time in four games that they’ve done that.
Now, a massive four weeks beckons for Sydney with clashes against Western United, Perth Glory, Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City to come – which Hunter and co will surely be chomping at the bit for – as they look to stamp their authority as the league’s top side.
