MACCA’S RUN KICKSTARTS KP HOUSE-WARMING
WESTERN UNITED’S GEELONG DEBUT
IT took Western United just two minutes to open its account at its new home ground, GMHBA Stadium, but it will have to wait a bit longer for its first win.
United was held to a 1-1 draw in its pre-season friendly with Western Sydney Warriors on Saturday with the A-League’s new boys finalising its preparations ahead of its debut season which starts this Sunday in New Zealand.
And it all started with a bang after former Socceroo Scott McDonald scored the match’s opener after two minutes in front of a decent crowd at Kardinia Park.
McDonald was released into the box and drilled his shot under Western Sydney goalkeeper Daniel Lopar to open the scoring.
It was all United in the first half, with McDonald shooting over six minutes after scoring, while Apostolos Stamatelopoulos had two attempts in the opening 45 minutes.
Wanderers found their way back into the game in the second half, hitting the post in the 53rd minute after getting in on goal.
And they got on the scoresheet in the 80th minute, making the most of the stretched game with Mo Adam’s low shot from inside the box finding the back of the net to make it 1-1.
A-League champion Besart Berisha made his debut for Western United, coming off the bench in the secondhalf.
Berisha’s best chance came in the 84th minute, managing to roll his opponent but shot low and wide.
Saturday’s clash was an important fixture for Western United, who will play its first A-League match against Wellington Phoenix on October 13.
It will then return to Geelong on October 19 for its opening home game against Perth Glory.
United, who is fronted by former local Socceroo Steve Horvat, will play eight home games at GMHBA Stadium this season.
However, the club has plans to build a privatelyfunded rectangular stadium in Tarneit.