WESTERN United men\u2019s team boss John Aloisi has unloaded on A-League scheduling, describing his side\u2019s summer afternoon kick-offs as “ridiculous” after the Green and Black fought back for a 2-2 draw away to Macarthur last Saturday.<\/p>\n
Temperatures reached 33 degrees Celsius at the Bulls’ Campbelltown Stadium prior to kick-off and the first half was an uninspiring affair with neither side willing to play with any intensity.<\/p>\n
The game did spark into life in the second half, with Kearyn Baccus’ dismissal for a second yellow card leading to United breaking the deadlock through Lachlan Wales.<\/p>\n
The Bulls jagged two goals back through Matthew Millar and Jed Drew and looked to be heading for an unlikely debut victory under new coach Mile Sterjovski.<\/p>\n
But Nicolas Milanovic struck just before added time to give the visitors a valuable draw.<\/p>\n
Despite his side’s comeback, Aloisi flagged concerns over the quality of a game that attracted a measly crowd of just 2898.<\/p>\n
“It’s ridiculous we have to play in this heat,” he said. “It’s hard work for the players and there’s the recovery factor.<\/p>\n
“You want to see a good football game, but it’s unfair on the players and the supporters.<\/p>\n
“It doesn’t invite a high-intensity game, it doesn’t invite you to press.<\/p>\n
“You’re hoping players can get through a game and it’s hard to play your style when it’s like that.”<\/p>\n
Aloisi’s view was echoed by Sterjovski, who replaced Dwight Yorke as Bulls boss earlier this week and has stressed a desire for his side to play with panache.<\/p>\n
“The pace of the game really slowed down,” said Sterjovski, who lost winger Daniel Arzani to cramp.<\/p>\n
“We want to play an attractive style of football… We would prefer later kick-offs.”<\/p>\n
After Baccus’ 49th minute second yellow, for a raised foot in a tackle with Noah Botic, Western took control and then the lead when Wales fired past Filip Kurto on the hour mark.<\/p>\n
The Bulls quickly rallied, with Millar poking home from close range before Drew finished past Jamie Young to give the home side a lead with 10 minutes left.<\/p>\n
There was one final twist, with Milanovic bursting through a sea of Macarthur defenders to grab a late equaliser.<\/p>\n
The result leaves the Bulls in sixth spot, while 11th-placed Western are one win outside the finals places.<\/p>\n