COACH John Aloisi is adamant the best is yet to come from Western United’s remodelled attack after new signing Hiroshi Ibusuki struck to salvage a comeback 1-1 A-League Men draw against Western Sydney.<\/p>\n
United were on the back foot early at Ironbark Fields after Socceroos forward Brandon Borrello struck in the 14th minute.<\/p>\n
But former Adelaide United marksman Ibusuki volleyed home in the 48th minute to earn Aloisi’s charges a second draw in as many matches.<\/p>\n
He also combined with young striker Noah Botic with aplomb as United chased a winner late on.<\/p>\n
“It was really good. We know what he can do,” Aloisi said. “We know he’s done it in the A-League before.<\/p>\n
“He’s an important player for us, also, because of his experience on the pitch, off the pitch, the way that he can help our younger players.<\/p>\n
“We’ve had young Oli Lavale play next to him, then Noah Botic coming in, that helps him, and then (Matt) Grimaldi around him, and Rhys Bozinovski – all those younger players are helped by Hiroshi.<\/p>\n
“So it was important that he scored for his confidence, but also to show that he’s going to be a handful for any team this year.”<\/p>\n
Aloisi was also delighted with young playmaker Grimaldi and 17-year-old defender Dylan Leonard, who impressed at centre-back in his first start.<\/p>\n
Alen Stajcic’s Wanderers took the lead when Nicolas Milanovic slipped through Borrello, who burst forward, worked over United defender Tomoki Imai, then finished in style.<\/p>\n
It was Borrello’s first goal after fighting back from a foot injury that ruined his 2023-24 season and scuppered his hopes of featuring at the Asian Cup.<\/p>\n
“He’s obviously trying to rebuild his confidence and he’s such a such a amazing weapon for us,” Stajcic said.<\/p>\n
“It’s not easy. It’s not easy to get that belief back in yourself and in your body.<\/p>\n
“But he’s had a really good pre-season. He’s working so hard for the team. He’s a tremendous leader in our group, so you just know what you’re going to get with with Buzz.<\/p>\n
“He works extremely hard for everyone and is a great person to have on our team. So it’s good when he gets a little reward like that.”<\/p>\n
Wanderers boom recruit Juan Mata made his first league start – in the south-west Melbourne fringe suburb of Tarneit of all places – and played 62 minutes.<\/p>\n
Stajcic said Mata was “influential” but expected him to improve as team chemistry grew.<\/p>\n
The Wanderers head home to CommBank Stadium to face Adelaide on Saturday night.<\/p>\n
United next play Melbourne City on November 4.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
COACH John Aloisi is adamant the best is yet to come from Western United’s remodelled attack after new signing Hiroshi Ibusuki struck to salvage a comeback 1-1 A-League Men draw against Western Sydney. United were on the back foot early at Ironbark Fields after Socceroos forward Brandon Borrello struck in the 14th minute. But former […]<\/p>\n