WESTERN United coach Mark Rudan has flagged big changes for Saturday’s A-League clash with Sydney FC, blasting his players for a lack of heart in their loss to Central Coast last Sunday.<\/p>\n
The Mariners stunned United with a come-from-behind 3-2 win in Gosford after Rudan’s men let slip a 2-1 lead in the 77th minute.<\/p>\n
The fired-up manager was left fuming after the loss, saying players would be facing the chop for not matching the energy and desire the Mariners showed in the final 20 minutes.<\/p>\n
“I felt we were like schoolboys, particularly defending set pieces, it wasn’t good enough,” Rudan said. “We didn’t match their intensity or desire and that’s not the Western United way.<\/p>\n
“That’s certainly\u00a0not what I’m about and that’s what disappointed me the most.<\/p>\n
“I’ve been very loyal to some players and they’ve got absolutely no excuse if they don’t find themselves starting next week.<\/p>\n
“Not matching that fight and desire, I thought some players out there just weren’t up for it.<\/p>\n
“They need to understand that if they want to be a part of this football club, then that’s not good enough.”<\/p>\n
United looked the best side, leading by a goal at halftime, but smart substitutions gave the Mariners an edge as teenager Alou Kwol scored a double in four minutes.<\/p>\n
And as the Mariners’ confidence grew, United went into their shell.<\/p>\n
“They’re the key moments,” Rudan said. “Under pressure, what are you made of? Who are you?<\/p>\n
“As a football player, as a human, you show yourself.<\/p>\n
“It’s not just about producing skill sets, it’s about being able to match the intensity of the opposition\u00a0away from home.”<\/p>\n
The Mariners win put last season’s wooden-spooners back on top of the A-League ladder with five wins from seven as they face the next month on the road.<\/p>\n
Goals to\u00a0Tomislav Uskok and Besart Berisha gave United a 2-1 lead at the break with Mariners veteran Matt Simon also getting on the board.<\/p>\n
But the comeback specialists got into their stride when Central Coast manager Alen Stajcic threw on Kuol on 61 minutes.<\/p>\n
The 19-year-old equalised from a Daniel De Silva corner on 77 minutes, before diving to head in a cross from fellow replacement Daniel Bouman four minutes later to send the Mariners’ fans into raptures.<\/p>\n
The loss was the second of the season for the struggling United side, who will face A-League champions Sydney FC at AAMI Park on Saturday afternoon.<\/p>\n
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