Western United hoping to topple Victory in Geelong home opener

WESTERN United makes its long-awaited A-League return to Geelong this weekend to square off with a hungry cross-town rival.

The A-League’s newest side will meet the Melbourne Victory at GMHBA Stadium this Saturday to kick off the 2021/22 campaign with Western United hoping to get their season off on the right foot.

Western United enter the season with not only a new coach, but also 10 new players to make John Aloisi’s new playbook a successful one.

Jamie Young, Leo Lacroix, Dylan Wenzel-Halls, Rene Krhin, Ben Garuccio, Christian Theoharous, Noah Botic, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Neil Kilkenny, and Aleksandar Prijovic will all look to suit up in this week’s season opener.

Despite many new faces and a new head coach, the roster is confident of the new system Aloisi has put in place, according to full-back Ben Garuccio.

“The boys are confident in what we have been doing during the preseason and we are confident we can do what the coaches want from us,” Garuccio said.

“What John (Aloisi) has brought to the club is a really good and positive environment. I know from myself and the other boys, we have really enjoyed our training and going to work every day.

“Our team will bring an exciting brand of football to the competition this season, a very attacking and free-flowing one at that.”

Western United is fresh off a solid start to the season with a 2-1 win over the Newcastle Jets in the FFA Cup Play-In contest last Saturday at Kardinia Park, but Garruccio said the squad will not be placing added emphasis on this week’s game against their cross-town rivals.

“We won’t be putting any added pressure on this week’s game,” Garuccio said.

“Of course, there are going to be nerves and things like that floating about with your first couple of games of the season, but the boys are looking forward to playing our home-opener in Geelong this week and we are hoping for a good turnout.”

Western United will return to GMHBA Stadium on Saturday, December 11 for its Round 4 clash against the Brisbane Roar with Aloisi set to take on the side he once coached.

For every Western United home game, kids under 12 will be eligible for a free ticket in the general admission category, while family packages in Category A and Category B will amount only to the cost of two adult tickets.

To secure your tickets for this weekend’s game head to Western United’s website at wufc.com.au.