REASON TO SMILE
Unbeaten and full of belief, Western United is preparing to make a statement in next week’s derby
‘The training is really good. The vibe is really good’
WESTERN United manager Mark Rudan believes his side’s strong opening fortnight has given his team reason to believe it can match it with the A-League’s best.
Two games into its first A-League season, United is undefeated and confident ahead of two back-to-back Melbourne derbies.
The A-League newcomer defeated Wellington Phoenix 1-0 first up then drew 1-1 with Perth Glory in its first home match at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday.
Rudan said the confidence his players took out of the opening two performances had steeled them for matches against Melbourne City next Sunday in Geelong, then Melbourne Victory at Marvel Stadium the following Saturday.
“For any footballer, confidence and belief are very important components and (the first two rounds) certainly has given it to them,” Rudan said.
“As the season goes on everybody will tell you just how hard it is to go to Wellington to get anything, let alone three points. The training is really good. The vibe is really good.
“We have got some fantastic individuals here, great human beings so I think its important we stay focused … we will bring that second-half performance into next week’s derby.”
Defender Josh Risdon, who experienced the Sydney derby during his stint at Western Sydney, said he saw the clashes with City and Victory as opportunities to make a statement.
“Obviously it’s great to have two derbies. It just has that different dimension here in Melbourne,” Risdon said.
“We’re really looking forward to it — it’s good the first one is at our home. A bit disappointing we only got the draw (against Perth) but we want to make a statement here at home and build our fan base and get everyone wanting to come to the games.”
Marquee recruit Panagiotis Kone, who scored his first A-League goal against Perth, is new to the league and its derbies. He said he felt in time, United could own the future but had to work hard to get a result against their more-established opponents.
“Victory and City, they are very experienced teams. They have history in this league and … they will be very difficult for us,” he said.
“We are a new team, we will try to give our best and I hope we will get something. But for sure, City and Victory are the favourites.”
THERE’S a big, big sound from the West of the town.
Oh, wait. Wrong sport. However the sentiment remains the same.
It may be just two rounds into the season, but there’s something really good brewing for A-League newcomer Western United. The club, led by Geelong’s own Steve Horvat, hasn’t messed around in announcing itself to the competition with a couple of solid performances to start.
And Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Perth Glory was another feather in the cap of a team that is starting to grow under coach Mark Rudan.
Glory, last year’s champions, will again be contenders come the pointy end of the season, so a point at home is a good one. But it’s the signs that the side is starting to show on the pitch that should be getting fans excited.
It’s a squad that is built to entertain. And that’s exactly what United needs as it looks to build a strong supporter base off the pitch.
Saturday’s crowd of 6888 is a solid foundation for Western United to build from. Those people sitting in the Kardinia Park stands on Saturday should have walked away wanting to see more of the green and black. And if they didn’t, then they are darn hard to please.
Italian maestro Alessandro Diamanti is worth the price of admission alone and his long range effort against Glory would have given fans a taste of what to expect this season.
Alongside him in midfield are the likes of Scott McDonald, Panagiotis Kone and the reliable Dario Jertec.
Wing backs Josh Risdon and Connor Pain provide superb overlap, while ALeague champion Besart Berisha will deliver goals.
However Rudan and United aren’t silly. They know that throughout the course of a long season there will be challenges they will need to get through.
For United — more than anyone — results do matter.
And that’s why how they respond to those challenges will be so crucial. But for now, expect the bandwagon to grow and grow quickly.
United is coming.